Virtual Reality-Virtual Addiction: the hottest newest craze going on in Today’s World
“The Poor Man’s Drug”
This paper will talk about the definition of video games themselves, Video games addict/addictions, to the comparison between what is known as Video Games vs. Causal Games. As well as showing the elements of what makes Video games and other forms of electronic gadgets addicting. And where we at in are today’s world with them. I will also talk about at what age most player began, you would be surprised how early children actually start with video games on systems; such as Play stations (1, 2 and 3), X-box, to name a couple, and games such as Donkey Kong, Pac man, Ms. Pac man, Tomb Raiders and on and on. And is it only in America where we have this particular problem, or has it spread worldwide, effecting all of our youths.
The list of console systems as well as computer /video games is so large it would take up pretty much all of my report. Based off the information that I was able to locate, video games are becoming the next addiction of the future, the newest drug per say. People will stay awake for hours at a time, giving up food and drink, not moving from one spot for minutes, hours, days at a time, even giving up sleep, let alone remembering to get up and use the bathroom, just to beat their friend’s latest scores, or even their own just to prove that they could. And I can actually personally attest to this little fact, as you will see from my personal story of my time with a video game, where I personally learned how addicting a silly little causal fun kind of video game can pull you into its web.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Week 8: A Bombing We Will Go......
Week 8: A Bombing We Will Go!!!!
Okay so; let’s start training the next generation of military fighters, by teaching as young children how to shoot and kill the enemy. While using video games as training tools, may be cost efficient for the military and such. Let them keep things like fighting, shooting and killing people to themselves.
And with people going around saying things like; “It’s just a game”. Many people have said that they like games that have shooting in them, and how it improves their skills. Seems like a lot of our soldier’s over in Iraq (at least ones that are still alive and breathing), and other places, must have played such games as these.
As well as our fine police officers, but I think some of them missed the part about not abusing the person in their custody (as seen on our local daily news), or not to shoot unless you have too. Because people don’t come back to life like they do in the video games. Maybe they forgot the part about “Dead means Dead and no coming back for another chance”.
What ever happen to those really cool games; such as Donkey Kong, Pac Man, Ms. Pac Man or even that really old one Super Mario Brothers, with the cute little Italian pizza maker fellow in it? I mean there’s shooting fire balls and other stuff, but not looking like real people and especially people of certain persuasion or gender. This I feel has cause a lot of the rise in fighting, shooting deaths and such.
After I read the article, Military Training is just a game, I thought to myself: “Have you ever started to really wonder about all the money that goes into military training of our soldiers”? Imagine all those weapons and such that will be wasted, now that we can reduce it to such a fine point; Technology training. I have seen so many people upset about all the money we spend on a yearly base for training (myself would be counted in this group-actually against fighting period, invading and taking over peoples space and countries).
Think about what we could really do with that money. We could shorten the financial cost of training as well as get a better handle on maintaining it.
It seems like games in many forms have taken over off teens, and I feel that if we are to really be training via videos, make them are of the fact that in real life, you don’t get up and walk away. No other chance per say at the brass ring. Preparing to fight if it really is necessary, but remember that not everyone is your enemy.
Okay so; let’s start training the next generation of military fighters, by teaching as young children how to shoot and kill the enemy. While using video games as training tools, may be cost efficient for the military and such. Let them keep things like fighting, shooting and killing people to themselves.
And with people going around saying things like; “It’s just a game”. Many people have said that they like games that have shooting in them, and how it improves their skills. Seems like a lot of our soldier’s over in Iraq (at least ones that are still alive and breathing), and other places, must have played such games as these.
As well as our fine police officers, but I think some of them missed the part about not abusing the person in their custody (as seen on our local daily news), or not to shoot unless you have too. Because people don’t come back to life like they do in the video games. Maybe they forgot the part about “Dead means Dead and no coming back for another chance”.
What ever happen to those really cool games; such as Donkey Kong, Pac Man, Ms. Pac Man or even that really old one Super Mario Brothers, with the cute little Italian pizza maker fellow in it? I mean there’s shooting fire balls and other stuff, but not looking like real people and especially people of certain persuasion or gender. This I feel has cause a lot of the rise in fighting, shooting deaths and such.
After I read the article, Military Training is just a game, I thought to myself: “Have you ever started to really wonder about all the money that goes into military training of our soldiers”? Imagine all those weapons and such that will be wasted, now that we can reduce it to such a fine point; Technology training. I have seen so many people upset about all the money we spend on a yearly base for training (myself would be counted in this group-actually against fighting period, invading and taking over peoples space and countries).
Think about what we could really do with that money. We could shorten the financial cost of training as well as get a better handle on maintaining it.
It seems like games in many forms have taken over off teens, and I feel that if we are to really be training via videos, make them are of the fact that in real life, you don’t get up and walk away. No other chance per say at the brass ring. Preparing to fight if it really is necessary, but remember that not everyone is your enemy.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Week 7: Gaming, Ethics and Democracy
Remembering what we learn vs. I have to be the best; I got to beat your score man!
We all learn as children about ethics; such as not cheating, or lying, and playing fair, following the rules of the game, around the same time as we learn all about the rules in the game of life. I remember as a kid, competing against my cousins in games such as tug a war, races, and the rest of those cool games we play as kids.
And I also remember my brothers fighting all the time with our male cousins. They had to always be the best in everything, and used all the tricks of the trade per say. And a lot of these tricks would have been considered cheating at the minimal. Because according to the article; Cheaters: A Special Report, from gameinformer.com it wasn’t even close to what they called a; Glitch. It seem like it was pretty much more like a free for all, using thing that they could.
My brothers and male cousins were a mixture of all ages and sizes, as well as different levels of skills in games; videos as well as physical ones. It seemed like the older ones took advantage of the younger ones, because the older ones should and did know better than to challenge the younger ones. It seems to me that because of their ages (the younger ones) would most likely not have had the same level of knowledge or skills, and the older ones should have taken this into play and played accordingly, i.e. “Fair Play”.
But, it seems like when it came to games and boys, democracy went out the door. As it seems to be that the male DNA comes into play when it comes to games and winning. Most of the time all you could hear was; “I gotta beat your score, man or you loser, is that all you can get, I can beat that”. As well as; “Yeah, I beat your score, take that man”. And there was a lot more detailed descriptive things said; but they were not really appreciate ones or repeatable here. Now, while it’s not mention here, I am sure you can image what was said or at least close to it.
I have notice that while gaming; video playing, sports etc can be good for children as well as adults to be involved in, building up your hand and eye coordination, makes you use your mind, making strategies moves as well as it is helps you to learn how to be a team player. It also opens up another different area; fighting, being competitive, making you get so crazy and needing to win, no matter what the cost is.
You tend to get pulled away from your code of ethics that you have learned/or learning as a child. Sucked in cheating, playing dirty tricks, just so you win. And sometimes, it happens without you even being aware of it, because that need to win has so strong of a grip as well as it’s not something that you can see with the visible eye.
One of the things that I have notice in today’s world of gaming is that it looks the same as it did when I was a child growing up. Because I have noticed my son’s pulling a lot of the same tricks on their friends that my brothers pulled on my cousins. As well; as I noticed that it wasn’t just the boys pulling them, but my daughters as well. So, it seems that this problem is not just a male issue anymore; it has expanded to include female DNA in its equation.
But, I had noticed something interesting as I watched the kids playing Video games. And that was it wasn’t just the older ones pulling unfair tactics on the younger ones. As I mention previously it seemed like the older ones were playing unfair; i.e. using knowledge/skills levels more advanced (from age etc). What I found out was that a lot of times it was the younger ones who actually had more knowledge or higher skill levels per say.
Age did not always come into play, but mostly the things that were was; time to play/practice (time to play/amount of time etc), to who had access to the games themselves to even play on them. This is what really is what builds up your levels of skills/knowledge on the games.
I also notice that not all of the kids tried anything slick, or those cute little cheating tricks. While they wanted to win of course, they seem to recognize that the wins seem to feel more real and that they had really earned it. And realistically most people will feel this way. Because deep down you are a good person or at least most of us are. In the end when playing those games and the competition part of it comes out roaring its head like a lion remember these little words; you cheat and that win is not really yours to enjoy. So, DON’T CHEAT….
We all learn as children about ethics; such as not cheating, or lying, and playing fair, following the rules of the game, around the same time as we learn all about the rules in the game of life. I remember as a kid, competing against my cousins in games such as tug a war, races, and the rest of those cool games we play as kids.
And I also remember my brothers fighting all the time with our male cousins. They had to always be the best in everything, and used all the tricks of the trade per say. And a lot of these tricks would have been considered cheating at the minimal. Because according to the article; Cheaters: A Special Report, from gameinformer.com it wasn’t even close to what they called a; Glitch. It seem like it was pretty much more like a free for all, using thing that they could.
My brothers and male cousins were a mixture of all ages and sizes, as well as different levels of skills in games; videos as well as physical ones. It seemed like the older ones took advantage of the younger ones, because the older ones should and did know better than to challenge the younger ones. It seems to me that because of their ages (the younger ones) would most likely not have had the same level of knowledge or skills, and the older ones should have taken this into play and played accordingly, i.e. “Fair Play”.
But, it seems like when it came to games and boys, democracy went out the door. As it seems to be that the male DNA comes into play when it comes to games and winning. Most of the time all you could hear was; “I gotta beat your score, man or you loser, is that all you can get, I can beat that”. As well as; “Yeah, I beat your score, take that man”. And there was a lot more detailed descriptive things said; but they were not really appreciate ones or repeatable here. Now, while it’s not mention here, I am sure you can image what was said or at least close to it.
I have notice that while gaming; video playing, sports etc can be good for children as well as adults to be involved in, building up your hand and eye coordination, makes you use your mind, making strategies moves as well as it is helps you to learn how to be a team player. It also opens up another different area; fighting, being competitive, making you get so crazy and needing to win, no matter what the cost is.
You tend to get pulled away from your code of ethics that you have learned/or learning as a child. Sucked in cheating, playing dirty tricks, just so you win. And sometimes, it happens without you even being aware of it, because that need to win has so strong of a grip as well as it’s not something that you can see with the visible eye.
One of the things that I have notice in today’s world of gaming is that it looks the same as it did when I was a child growing up. Because I have noticed my son’s pulling a lot of the same tricks on their friends that my brothers pulled on my cousins. As well; as I noticed that it wasn’t just the boys pulling them, but my daughters as well. So, it seems that this problem is not just a male issue anymore; it has expanded to include female DNA in its equation.
But, I had noticed something interesting as I watched the kids playing Video games. And that was it wasn’t just the older ones pulling unfair tactics on the younger ones. As I mention previously it seemed like the older ones were playing unfair; i.e. using knowledge/skills levels more advanced (from age etc). What I found out was that a lot of times it was the younger ones who actually had more knowledge or higher skill levels per say.
Age did not always come into play, but mostly the things that were was; time to play/practice (time to play/amount of time etc), to who had access to the games themselves to even play on them. This is what really is what builds up your levels of skills/knowledge on the games.
I also notice that not all of the kids tried anything slick, or those cute little cheating tricks. While they wanted to win of course, they seem to recognize that the wins seem to feel more real and that they had really earned it. And realistically most people will feel this way. Because deep down you are a good person or at least most of us are. In the end when playing those games and the competition part of it comes out roaring its head like a lion remember these little words; you cheat and that win is not really yours to enjoy. So, DON’T CHEAT….
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Week 6: The Newest "Addiction's: Video Games and The Internet"
Week 6: (Social Connection/ Social Gaming)
The Newest “Addiction’s: Video games and the Internet”
Are Video Games harmful to you? We don’t really know for sure yet. According to the readings that we had this past week, it seems like they are leaning towards the answer being; Yes. In the article; Introduction: The Digital Revolution, the Informed Citizen, and the Culture of Democracy written by Henry Jenkins and David Thorburn they state; “Many political commentators predicted that networked computing might be the decisive factor in the election of 2000. By November 2000, 64% of all voters were Internet users and 90% of Americans on the Internet were registered voters. The Web would offer, these commentators claimed, the least costly and most effective means of reaching likely voters”.
It seems like even as far back as then they (the public as well as politicians) were aware of the usage of internet-computers and were already planning on how to use it to their benefits (reaching the public/votes). And with all the information that was provided (data/facts/examples) that was provided in the article, it looks like they did make that leap in the connection between them. Best ways to get people to do what you want, send subdural messages through the internet, and especially games. Most people are so busy having fun, playing the game that they really don’t notice those simple things going on all around them.
And in regards toward addicting, video games are very addicting. You get so involved in them that you block out things like need to sleep, eating, socializing with others until it gets to the extreme level of need. There are thousands of dollars being spent on a daily base. I tried a game that someone I knew had on their new phone that they had gotten this past month. And let me tell you something, it was so much fun and I couldn’t put it down. He keep asking me for it back and I kept saying; “Yeah, yeah just a minute. Just one more try”. Luckily, I didn’t have class the next day, because I played like six (6) more games before I finally let go of the game. I can also say, that I can guarantee each time we get together this past week or so, I have asked for any pretty much played that game, until he takes it away from me.
Now in regards towards Social Connecting; we as human beings are undeniably social creatures (this also includes Gamers too). And according to Sandra Chen, who wrote the article; The Social Network Game Boom, which is posted on GAMASUTRA, “With over 200 million people registered on Face book, the most popular social networking site, and millions, millions more on similar sites like MySpace, BEBO, and Hi5, social networking has become a part of daily life.”
This is so true; we have seen that worldwide, social activists are using social networking sites to organize protest. People are talking to each other through these web pages, vs. reading emails or call each other on the phone.
It is a testament to the power of social networking, and likewise social games, which is essentially games created to be played within existing major social networking websites. Social connections and gaming are becoming more and more connected, getting to be that they go hand in hand with each other.
Social networking has changed so much on how we consume information and how we play games. And on such places as FACEBOOK and the rest, you will generally find a clutter of unfettered information that leads to what social scientists call “ambient awareness”. It’s like being there at the same time as your friends, but not really paying attention to them, until you needed to.
You’re making social connections with others; friends as well as people that you don’t even know, but you can get information on at almost any given moment of time. And I have done this myself sometimes, but also at the same time as a mother of teens, who live on the internet, it is also too true that it can be dangerous for you. My daughter talks to her friends via FACEBOOK, as well as MySpace. Leaves messages for them there, gets ones that they have left her. Plus can read/ connect per say with people that they know but she doesn’t. While she hasn’t had anything bad happen per say to her, it can be scary I am telling you. I have learned more and more about all of these sites, as well as trying to keep on top of what is going on there. Let me tell you something, it can be a full-time job doing this.
So, while reading all that we had for the past week I can tell you that while I am still not sure about video games being harmful for you, I am convinced that at least some of them have addicting ability in them. I can personally contest to these. And in regards towards Social Connection; while it’s a great thing out there and I have used it sometimes, it also has harmful sides to it, all you have to do is look at the news (TV or newspaper etc) at any given time or place. So many people have been hurt (beaten, raped, kidnapped) and in some cases murdered.
In conclusion, let me leave you with these thoughts; what are your kids doing this summer, and what to do with your preteens and teens this summer? Now, I know what I would like, them going to school and brushing up on their social skills in a project based social-learning environment. Sounds like Fun and Educational, right? But, realistically we know that this not going to happen, unless they mess up in school. So, talk with your kids and see what they are doing, keep on top of them and their internet actions. Don’t let them be the next news item, becoming a statistic.
The Newest “Addiction’s: Video games and the Internet”
Are Video Games harmful to you? We don’t really know for sure yet. According to the readings that we had this past week, it seems like they are leaning towards the answer being; Yes. In the article; Introduction: The Digital Revolution, the Informed Citizen, and the Culture of Democracy written by Henry Jenkins and David Thorburn they state; “Many political commentators predicted that networked computing might be the decisive factor in the election of 2000. By November 2000, 64% of all voters were Internet users and 90% of Americans on the Internet were registered voters. The Web would offer, these commentators claimed, the least costly and most effective means of reaching likely voters”.
It seems like even as far back as then they (the public as well as politicians) were aware of the usage of internet-computers and were already planning on how to use it to their benefits (reaching the public/votes). And with all the information that was provided (data/facts/examples) that was provided in the article, it looks like they did make that leap in the connection between them. Best ways to get people to do what you want, send subdural messages through the internet, and especially games. Most people are so busy having fun, playing the game that they really don’t notice those simple things going on all around them.
And in regards toward addicting, video games are very addicting. You get so involved in them that you block out things like need to sleep, eating, socializing with others until it gets to the extreme level of need. There are thousands of dollars being spent on a daily base. I tried a game that someone I knew had on their new phone that they had gotten this past month. And let me tell you something, it was so much fun and I couldn’t put it down. He keep asking me for it back and I kept saying; “Yeah, yeah just a minute. Just one more try”. Luckily, I didn’t have class the next day, because I played like six (6) more games before I finally let go of the game. I can also say, that I can guarantee each time we get together this past week or so, I have asked for any pretty much played that game, until he takes it away from me.
Now in regards towards Social Connecting; we as human beings are undeniably social creatures (this also includes Gamers too). And according to Sandra Chen, who wrote the article; The Social Network Game Boom, which is posted on GAMASUTRA, “With over 200 million people registered on Face book, the most popular social networking site, and millions, millions more on similar sites like MySpace, BEBO, and Hi5, social networking has become a part of daily life.”
This is so true; we have seen that worldwide, social activists are using social networking sites to organize protest. People are talking to each other through these web pages, vs. reading emails or call each other on the phone.
It is a testament to the power of social networking, and likewise social games, which is essentially games created to be played within existing major social networking websites. Social connections and gaming are becoming more and more connected, getting to be that they go hand in hand with each other.
Social networking has changed so much on how we consume information and how we play games. And on such places as FACEBOOK and the rest, you will generally find a clutter of unfettered information that leads to what social scientists call “ambient awareness”. It’s like being there at the same time as your friends, but not really paying attention to them, until you needed to.
You’re making social connections with others; friends as well as people that you don’t even know, but you can get information on at almost any given moment of time. And I have done this myself sometimes, but also at the same time as a mother of teens, who live on the internet, it is also too true that it can be dangerous for you. My daughter talks to her friends via FACEBOOK, as well as MySpace. Leaves messages for them there, gets ones that they have left her. Plus can read/ connect per say with people that they know but she doesn’t. While she hasn’t had anything bad happen per say to her, it can be scary I am telling you. I have learned more and more about all of these sites, as well as trying to keep on top of what is going on there. Let me tell you something, it can be a full-time job doing this.
So, while reading all that we had for the past week I can tell you that while I am still not sure about video games being harmful for you, I am convinced that at least some of them have addicting ability in them. I can personally contest to these. And in regards towards Social Connection; while it’s a great thing out there and I have used it sometimes, it also has harmful sides to it, all you have to do is look at the news (TV or newspaper etc) at any given time or place. So many people have been hurt (beaten, raped, kidnapped) and in some cases murdered.
In conclusion, let me leave you with these thoughts; what are your kids doing this summer, and what to do with your preteens and teens this summer? Now, I know what I would like, them going to school and brushing up on their social skills in a project based social-learning environment. Sounds like Fun and Educational, right? But, realistically we know that this not going to happen, unless they mess up in school. So, talk with your kids and see what they are doing, keep on top of them and their internet actions. Don’t let them be the next news item, becoming a statistic.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Week 5: Step to the back of the bus, Only White's are allowed in the front....
Step to the back of the bus, or that old saying; can’t sit here it’s for White people only.
There’s that old enemy of ours rearing its head up again; Racism. And just when we thought it was getting better along it comes to show us how wrong we were.
With all that the world has gone through starting back in the day of Abraham Lincoln and the fight for freedom for African-American, then up to Women’s rights, etc and now it seems like we are stepping back in time. Especially after 9/11 bombings, the war going on at this moment in time, prejudice and stereotyping, along with its friend Racism is back in play. It seems like the video games out there are getting worse by the moment, with all the bad guys being either of the Asian, black or even now Middle Eastern/Arabic persuasion.
I notice that a lot of the articles that I read had a lot in common with what their opinions were in regards to Video games and Racism. In Critical race Theory on Wikipedia, seems like it was a response to come critical legal studies. And the connections between racial discriminations and stereotyping, and has been applied to looking into race/racism in aspects of social science, civil rights, and the legal court proceedings that result from it. And in Pacificcitizen.org; In Video games the Bad Guys Come in All Shades of Stereotypes. More like Bad Guys of Color, because it seems like most Bad Guys are not “White”.
Some have been known to try and say that these forms of games are entertainment, although if that is so, then it’s really sad that they had to resort to this level. Because all it does is feed on the fear of people, especially those who are already pre-disposed to being narrow minded and prejudice to begin with.
According to the article; Video games raise concerns over racism by David Becker from CNET News (, The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) had issued a report on Tuesday warning of computer games that espouse racist violence. The article mention such games as; “Ethnic Cleansing” a computer game that was being sold by Resistance Records, a small underground label that specializes in bands spouting racist and Nazi messages. This game besides offensive racial stereotyping (you had to walk through urban streets and subways, attacking African-American, Hispanic and Jewish characters), the games also included repeated racist images and audio content.
Games such as these can piggyback onto something that is very legitimate and popular and pervert it. It could cause even the most non-racist person to start thinking those racist thoughts. Things like this can cause Paranoia and Discrimination to rise even higher than it has been in the past. Because it causes people to assume that all African-Americans are drug users, gang-bangers, Asians as the drug dealers, and even using Women as cyber-bimbos.
With all of this going on it’s like taking a step back in time. While it seems like games of any kind (video etc) involves some sort of artificial conflict, because it seems like it wouldn’t be a game without it, they need to do what they can to make a great game without it causing racism/stereotyping of any sort.
There’s that old enemy of ours rearing its head up again; Racism. And just when we thought it was getting better along it comes to show us how wrong we were.
With all that the world has gone through starting back in the day of Abraham Lincoln and the fight for freedom for African-American, then up to Women’s rights, etc and now it seems like we are stepping back in time. Especially after 9/11 bombings, the war going on at this moment in time, prejudice and stereotyping, along with its friend Racism is back in play. It seems like the video games out there are getting worse by the moment, with all the bad guys being either of the Asian, black or even now Middle Eastern/Arabic persuasion.
I notice that a lot of the articles that I read had a lot in common with what their opinions were in regards to Video games and Racism. In Critical race Theory on Wikipedia, seems like it was a response to come critical legal studies. And the connections between racial discriminations and stereotyping, and has been applied to looking into race/racism in aspects of social science, civil rights, and the legal court proceedings that result from it. And in Pacificcitizen.org; In Video games the Bad Guys Come in All Shades of Stereotypes. More like Bad Guys of Color, because it seems like most Bad Guys are not “White”.
Some have been known to try and say that these forms of games are entertainment, although if that is so, then it’s really sad that they had to resort to this level. Because all it does is feed on the fear of people, especially those who are already pre-disposed to being narrow minded and prejudice to begin with.
According to the article; Video games raise concerns over racism by David Becker from CNET News (, The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) had issued a report on Tuesday warning of computer games that espouse racist violence. The article mention such games as; “Ethnic Cleansing” a computer game that was being sold by Resistance Records, a small underground label that specializes in bands spouting racist and Nazi messages. This game besides offensive racial stereotyping (you had to walk through urban streets and subways, attacking African-American, Hispanic and Jewish characters), the games also included repeated racist images and audio content.
Games such as these can piggyback onto something that is very legitimate and popular and pervert it. It could cause even the most non-racist person to start thinking those racist thoughts. Things like this can cause Paranoia and Discrimination to rise even higher than it has been in the past. Because it causes people to assume that all African-Americans are drug users, gang-bangers, Asians as the drug dealers, and even using Women as cyber-bimbos.
With all of this going on it’s like taking a step back in time. While it seems like games of any kind (video etc) involves some sort of artificial conflict, because it seems like it wouldn’t be a game without it, they need to do what they can to make a great game without it causing racism/stereotyping of any sort.
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