RE: [MLUG] Re: linux game information...

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Wed, 10 Oct 2007, Fallert, Adam Christian wrote:

> > And how much energy are putting into this making this argument?  And 
> > what is it accomplishing?
>
> You never answered the questions.  Yes, yes, I know my grammar was 
> awfull, but the point still remains.
>
> However your response does suggest that you completely object to non 
> productive entertainment.  Your "alternative" forms of entertainment 
> also points out an elitist view.

No, I don't completely object to non-productive entertainment.  I'm just 
pointing out that "fun" isn't a product with the same value as other 
products that could come from a similar amount of time expenditure.  I'm 
not saying that you should relinquish all fun activities in favor of a 
workaholic lifestyle, but I am saying that you should seek modes of fun 
that provide the most long-term benefit and you should avoid kinds of fun 
that take something away from the other parts of your life.  Shoot for 
life-enhancing activities.


> Tell us Mike, what do you like to do for fun?  Do you enjoy following 
> sports teams, going to the opera, going to the movies, reading a novel. 
> I also really enjoy the last three myself beyond computer gamming, but 
> in the grand scheme of things all three are a complete waste according 
> to your logic.
>
> Lastly, this is a silly discussion, but fortunate for you I ALSO enjoy 
> the sport of argument for sake of argument.  ;)

I'm not saying that people shouldn't do things just because they enjoy 
doing them.  I'm only pointing out that to spend many hours per week on 
something that produces no tangible benefit might be counterproductive. 
You were arguing that video game playing produces "fun" as an 
"accomplishment."  I would say that "fun" is about the least that a person 
can accomplish in his free time.

I do all sorts of fun things.  Not all are productive, but I do try to add 
some productivity to the unproductive activities.  For example, I watch 
"Desperate Housewives" with my wife.  I'm not learning much from that 
show, but while I'm watching it, I'll either do something with my laptop 
or (more likely) I'll play my electric solid-body guitar unplugged (so 
that it doesn't bug the wife much).  In this way I'm not 100% down during 
the show.  But it is also a social bonding thing because the show is 
pretty entertaining and it gives us something to laugh about together.

Things like listening to music (lots), going to movies (more DVDs than 
theaters these days), reading novels (which I don't do) are not entirely 
unproductive because we learn something from the activity.  I prefer to 
read non-fiction because I think I get a lot more out of it and I enjoy it 
even more than reading novels, but reading novels is good for you if you 
are reading a good writer.  You will learn how better to express yourself 
and how to write clearly and well.  That's worthwhile.

If you spend your time playing Tetris (I do that sometimes too), you will 
be learning very little that will help you later.  It's one of the worst 
ways I have of wasting my time.  That and writing to MLUG ;-)

If you can find ways to have fun that also improve you in some way, you 
will be way better off.  For example, of you are having fun riding a 
bicycle or playing a sport, and this activity is giving you some good 
exercise, your health will benefit.  Or you might have fun watching The 
History Channel or Biography or Discovery -- watching such shows will 
improve your knowledge base dramatically.  Compare 15 hours per week 
watching documentary shows versus 15 hours per week playing video games 
and tell me which adds more to your life?  I won't tell you the answer 
because I don't know, but I will find it hard to believe that a video game 
is a better choice.

Mike

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