Friday, September 16, 2011
Real life or Virtual life, which shall I choose?
Our world today relies on technology pretty much for everything including driving, working, economy, power, eating, and yeah pretty much to survive. Now many people live their lives through technology through video games and the MMORPG, (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games). Due to technology's advanced domains, people from young to old are taking advantage of it in ways that to some are unimaginable. In the documentary, "Second Skin" that we watched in class, we see how some people use technology, or the virtual world to control their lives. It was mind numbing for me to witness people killing themselves and engaging in relationships/marriage through a game! If we take a closer look though, the question is, is this a game or a virtual reality? I think for the 50 million people that engage in games such as World of Warcraft believe that they can live the life they have always wanted to through a video game. Maybe they grew up not having too many friends, or a bad family background enabling them to feel powerless or non-existant. Through one of these online games they can create that person they have always wanted to be. In Second Skin, one of the guys says that these people are able to release that person from within, or release their angel through their online character. With all of this said I personally believe that virtual worlds and reality cannot really compare. At some point, these people that are obviously addicted need to come to the realization that these games are not reality. They are going to have to tend to their job, family, or even the health of themselves at some point. The real world isn't a game, its REAL, so maybe these addicted virtual enthusiast's need a wake up call, and come back to something more meaningful!
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I agree that people need to take care of their lives out here in the "real" world, but that doesn't mean they can't enjoy being whoever they want online. We have created a hostile place for people to live. It's difficult to find people that accept you and it's mainly because we judge people on how they look. Everyone has done it at least once in their lives. It's just human nature. I think people just need to find a balance. One way I know the internet helps is though support groups that try and make you a better person so you can get back out there and meet people. It's just difficult for those of us who are shy and uncomfortable with ourselves.
ReplyDeleteSome people are scared of their own lives because they think they will fail and in games if you fail you just hit reset. Like I said before, you just to find a balance so you can live in the "real" world but also have some fun in the virtual world.
As for the kid that killed himself, you can't blame the video game. Most people who engage in the online world are already depressed and are trying to find others or different activities to make them happy. I think people are too quick to blame the internet or game itself for the reason as to why their kids are becoming violent and hurting themselves. It is possibly already a personality disorder or depression. We just need to look for the signs and catch it before they get caught up in the virtual world and either "never leave" or commit suicide.
While watching the documentary it was hard to watch because these people who get addicted to video games think to themselves "well at least its not drugs or alcohol" but in reality there is not much of a difference. One kid said in class that he knew someone addicted to gaming and he suffered from fluctuating weight and isolated himself from everyone, and I know someone highly addicted to drugs and he suffers from the same symptoms, he cut himself off from everyone, it was taking a large toll on his health and he was unable to provide for his wife and newborn, because he was too high to do anything. It may seem like an exaggeration but when I saw the guy who did not want to make the five minute trek to pick up a roll of toilet paper for his wife is a disgrace. The point I am making is there is no positive addiction.
ReplyDeleteI agree that some people let these games take over their lives and then it becomes unhealthy. Anything is unhealthy if it’s overdone or overused. When you become addicted to something to the point where it alters your life is when it becomes a problem. It’s sad that these people let video games control every aspect of their lives but if you think about it addiction is so common. There are so many Americans addicted to things such as alcohol, drugs, sex, shopping, even strange things like eating dish soap. I think this video game addiction just seems so odd because it’s not very common. An addiction is an addiction and most people who are addicted to anything do not stop unless they receive help or hit rock bottom. Hopefully these people that are letting this ruin their lives seek out the help they need and get their lives back on track.
ReplyDeleteAnything in excess can be a bad thing. Addictions come in the strangest forms. Drugs, alcohol, and sex are just the most common forms of addiction. I understand the appeal to video game addiction, particularly those with social interaction. People get lost in the virtual world that's been created. The world can be hostile, but you don't need to surround yourself with anything you don't want. Obviously it's hard not to take what people say to heart, but no one's perfect, and chances are they share similar insecurities. People didn't have the option to run away online up until a few years ago, and they've survived for thousands of years.
ReplyDeleteI think you make a very good point. Those people playing the games were creating charaters in games whom they seemed to wish to truely be. They don't seem satisfied with their real life so they live through their gaming character. I think for a lot of those gamers playing allows them to feel a sense of power, which some of them my not have outside of the game. Then again they may just play because it is what they enjoy doing, I mean who are we to judge how people spend their spare time..
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