Blog #2

First, I am going to talk about the Documentary "Second Skin." It is unbelievable that these people can let a video game rule their lives. I loved the documentary because it really showed us a different side of gamers. I just can't get over the fact that this game dictated their sleep patterns, eating habits and working ability. When you get that far into a down fall you know you have some issues. What do you guys think about this? I seriously think they need some help to get away from these games. It's really just a game and when a gane dictates your life when you have thoughts of suicide YOU NEED HELP.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a little time to yourself to maybe play a video game or have some fun with whatever, but you need to know the boundaries. I play video games, and I know when to stop. It isn't that hard. I don't understand how they have so much difficulty stopping the game. These guys would have a great life if they put time and effort into their actual lives instead of their virtual lives.
For example, I found a video on Google about a kid that was playing WOW and totally freaked out over something so stupid. During this freak out his brother taped the whole thing. If this offends anybody, I apologize in advance. WOW Freak out

I didn't exactly find a specific quote from the video that I would be able to discuss but I have a couple examples that would get this discussion going. In our book, "Culture Jam" on page 43 and 44 there is a passage that sums up how ridiculous gaming can get. "Sometimes I go out," she'd say, but she didn't mean "out" out, she meant "out" of that chat group and into another site somewhere else on the Net. She was reluctant to sleep because she might miss an interesting thread. One time my friend saw her on the street, and she hadn't showered in four days."

When you get to the level of not showering and your personal hygiene is at risk, there is a serious problem. What do you guys think about that passage. It's almost unbelievable to me but I can see it happening. Another example of this is that my friends play COD Black Ops continuously. Every time I talk to them they are either playing or taking a 5 minute break from playing. It's another serious issued besides computer gaming. Now when I read that passage in the book, I got really annoyed with what she was doing. I can't believe someone could do that to them self. I can't go a day without a shower and she went 4 DAYS!!! Get a hold of yourself!
The book and the video are tied together because of what this lady is saying. In the movie and book they both seemed to have obsession and over doing it. Losing their jobs, committing suicide, gaining weight, and not keeping up with personal hygiene is a big problem with me.


There was one more thing that really bothered me to even listen to at the time during the video but was also briefly discussed in the book. These people are being sucked into a fake world because they think they can get whatever they want. One guy said, "I don't have to worry about having that nice car." Well maybe if he didn't waste all of his time playing WOW he would have a good job and be able to by himself a really beautiful car instead of dreaming about it. That would make a lot more sense than dreaming about a whole new life where you can have anything you want. It's just completely ridiculous to me and I just don't understand. The thing is, I guess I can't understand what they are thinking unless I was them.

My feelings about gaming aren't completely against it.Gaming can be a fun bonus to your life when maybe you do something good and you feel like you need a break. It isn't bad to play games for "fun" sometimes but when it starts ruining your eating habits and your personal hygiene it needs to stop!