Attitude towards computer games

[Kobal2]

@Ruminator

Bosstone, you’re not looking at it from others’ perspectives.

I have to agree with msmith537, RickJay, Grendel’s Father that when I hear the word “gamer”, I think of it as a non-casual gamer by default. The four of us didn’t have a secret conspiracy meeting to decide on that definition of “gamer”. It’s just how society has conditioned us with regards to that particular label. It’s an organic process how that word enters our conscious with the connotations we attach to it.

I agree that when you hear “gamer”, it means nothing without the qualifier of “casual vs hardcore.” You are correct – can’t argue with you. But we are correct too. There’s really no point in trying to correct our usage of “gamer” because there’s nothing to rectify. Maybe it’s a generational gap thing. It doesn’t matter.

As a related example, I’m very serious listener of classical music. Casual listeners of classical music might say to me, “I like classical music too like Bach.” To nitpicking fans, Bach is actually “baroque music” and not “classical music.” Is the casual listener wrong to call it “classical?” Actually no, because “classical” is correct enough to distinguish it for him. But “baroque” would be the correct label for me. To go on a crusade and correct everyone’s label of “Bach” to “baroque” would be pointless.

Everyone will have their personal interests that requires ultra-refined subdivisions of labels (like “hardcore gamer”) but it is not necessary to force those distinctions on others. You most likely are using non-exact labels for non-gaming hobbies that others would shudder at. However, your “misuse” of those labels is also not “wrong.”

Does the specific and non-specific versions of “gamer” make this thread a little messy? Yes, but that’s no enough reason to try and “fix” everybody’s usage of the term. You couldn’t do it you tried. Imagine how many of the 6 billion people on the planet are not using the word “gamer” to your satisfaction? You’re gonna have to live with the fact that others misuse your “gamer” label and (gasp!) they are also “correct.”

At the risk of sparking a huge descriptivist vs. prescriptivist debate, isn’t that akin to condoning ignorance on the grounds that fighting it is a losing proposition ?

[Grendel_s_Father]

@Bosstone

Hell, back when cars were new I’m sure the term ‘driver’ was viewed with negative connotations as well; there must be something not quite right with the folks who attempt to work on and operate those dangerous machines when they could be using a nice reliable horse for transportation. Obviously it has no such connotations now because automobile driving is so widely accepted.

I’m not sure this driving thing is a good analogy. I’ve never described myself as a “driver,” as if I were a part of some driving culture. To do so would brand me as a car nut who rebuilds classic models, goes to auto shows, etc. I may say I’m a “good driver” or “I’m awesome at Wii Bowling” but that’s not the same as taking either term up as a personal label. Same with athlete, which has been mentioned before. To call yourself an athlete is to tell others you’re more into sports than the average guy who plays basketball on the weekend.

The central question is why is calling yourself an athlete (i.e. abnormally devoted to sports) is respected but calling yourself a gamer (i.e. abnormally devoted to video games) looked down upon. I’ll answer again: money.

ETA:

@Kobal2

At the risk of sparking a huge descriptivist vs. prescriptivist debate, isn’t that akin to condoning ignorance on the grounds that fighting it is a losing proposition ?

No, because there’s no right or wrong answer. Words can carry different connotations or meanings depending on the context and the social group.

[Bosstone]

@Grendel_s_Father

The central question is why is calling yourself an athlete (i.e. abnormally devoted to sports) is respected but calling yourself a gamer (i.e. abnormally devoted to video games) looked down upon. I’ll answer again: money.

We’re talking in circles now. I don’t believe “gamer” and “athlete” are comparable, you do. I do agree with the essence of what you’re saying: abnormally devoting yourself to sports is more respected than abnormally devoting yourself to games because of money. I’m just sticking on the actual words used now, which isn’t going to get us very far at all. So I’m out for now.

[dedmonwakin]

Blame that on the media and that one occasional idiot kid who shoots up his mother and father for taking away his copy of Halo 3. The guy who should be working rather than spending his time gaming isn’t excluded either. The friggin media has emphasized that gaming has served as a negative impact to our youths and the state of productivity. Occasionally gaming has been given credit for encouraging faster reflexes and problem solving. But that’s just not as interesting as, “Gaming contributes to Americas obesity problem.”
Occasionally, gaming has been given the spotlight, when stories of our government using simulators to train our soldiers, pilots or law enforcement.
But nothing sticks to the mind better than, “Game developers train young minds for war.” or “Games assist with dehumanizing players.” Unfortunately, there are people out there to feed the fire and confirm these assumptions.

And let’s not forget about what WOW has done…or I should say some of the players who made the media spotlight. I watched segment after segment of people addicted to WOW. Because of the media and epidemic of people who actually were addicted to this game…they developed support groups for it!

What can you do? I personally don’t care what people say of me when I state that I am a gamer, and a hardcore one at that. Actually most people are shocked that I am a gamer yet live a successful life with a family.

Honestly, until the media and the idiots that feed the frenzy somehow vanish from this planet, I think it’s safe to assume you won’t be getting a pat on the back for ranking up in Call of Duty 4 or World At War.

[Bosstone]

Give it about 5 to 10 years, I think. The first generation of Americans who have grown up with video games are starting to come into positions of power, and the media and legislature will eventually become more favorable to them as time goes on. Then the next generation, who’s never known life without the internet, will start coming of age in the next 10-20 years. And that’s when things will get interesting, I think.

[Kobal2]

@Bosstone

Give it about 5 to 10 years, I think. The first generation of Americans who have grown up with video games are starting to come into positions of power, and the media and legislature will eventually become more favorable to them as time goes on. Then the next generation, who’s never known life without the internet, will start coming of age in the next 10-20 years. And that’s when things will get interesting, I think.

That’s also my take on the subject. Every “new” pastime or hobby has faced similar flakk, from paintball to D&D to comic books to rap to rock to popular music in general to detective novels to novels in general. The list goes on and on and on all the way up to the Romans blaming chariot races for their societal ills.
I’m sure in time, the media (and concerned parents who think of the chil’un) will find a new drum to beat to explain why oh why their children aren’t like they were. Or rather, are just like they were. The only unknown is the exact nature of the next Evil - I must admit I’m quite curious about it myself.

[Justin_Bailey]

@dedmonwakin

Blame that on the media and that one occasional idiot kid who shoots up his mother and father for taking away his copy of Halo 3.

It was Call of Duty and he burned down a warehouse. Get it right.

[dedmonwakin]

@Justin_Bailey

It was Call of Duty and he burned down a warehouse. Get it right.

I thought I did? http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/lorain/1229506385228270.xml&coll=2

Nevertheless, it was a video game! So were both right!lol:)