World Of Warcraft, Good Or Bad?

[Danoff]

While I agree that WoW is no substitute for a game of basketball for physical fitness.

That's like saying a game of basketball is no substitute for a good meal when it comes to nutrition. You don't play basketball to get nutrition, and you don't play WoW to get exercise.

If you eat fine, you don't need to worry about getting food from basketball games. If you're physically fit, you don't need to worry about getting exercise from WoW.

 

[Joey D]

The only way one can be physically fit though is to do physical activity, you aren't just born in shape.

 

[Danoff]

And the only way one can get nutrition is to eat. What's your point?

 

[Joey D]

If all you do is play video games every day and never actually do physical activity you won't be in shape. What I'm saying is in order to be in good shape, so that you don't have to worry about doing physical activity, so you can sit around and play games all day, doesn't work unless you do the physical activity in the first place and keep it up.

Keeping in shape isn't easy, I probably haven't been to the gym since May and I know when I go back it will be hard for me and I'm not all that much out of shape.

 

[Pako]

If working out was easy, everyone would be doing it. WOW is far too easy to get belly full of entertainment. Someone made a great product. They put all the addictive properties into a game that makes it addictive. Add junk food and sugar highs into the equation and you have a bonified South Park episode. For kids, their parents better be regulating their online time. Most routers these days offer access time slots for programming. They can assign the access to specific IP address, for example, the kids computer. If I didn't have a job, or a family, or any responsibilities, I'd be on WOW 18 hours a day....it's sick. In stead I play music, workout, do the family thing, record music, play at church, host web sites, and occasionally sleep. My life now isn't much healthier than when I was gaming all the time, but at least I'm getting paid more..., and I'm not as fat, and my family likes me more...., and I'm meeting more people.

 

[Danoff]

If all you do is play video games every day and never actually do physical activity you won't be in shape. What I'm saying is in order to be in good shape, so that you don't have to worry about doing physical activity, so you can sit around and play games all day, doesn't work unless you do the physical activity in the first place and keep it up.

Yup. It's part of the responsibility of life. If you're going to play WoW a bunch, you need to compensate for it by eating right and getting a little exercise periodically. I don't see anything wrong with that.

My life now isn't much healthier than when I was gaming all the time, but at least I'm getting paid more..., and I'm not as fat, and my family likes me more...., and I'm meeting more people.

Granted that there are things more important than playing video games - like having a job, keeping up with the family, having friends, and even getting a little exercise. But what does that have to do with whether or not WoW is a good game? You do it for entertainment. And you can even do it with your kids and the wife.

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

Just for starters, I'd have to say it's silly telling someone something is more fun than something else, Danoff. While I do agree with you on the main argument, I do disagree with you there. Fun is down to the individual; it's not a generalised thing.

Also, I must say Joey that all of your arguments in here have been highly, highly contradicting on your arguments in the Do You Smoke? thread.

But if you sit around and do nothing but play video games you have a greater risk at becoming obese.

I mean, this is the sort of thing we were arguing with you about in regards to smoking. You tell us that something that increases the risk of something else doesn't mean it will happen, yet you use that very argument in another thread. You're also "caring" about what other people are doing with their lives. This is probably the worst part, as what they're doing doesn't actually harm anyone else, like smoking. I realise the argument isn't against you personally, but it makes your arguments a lot less convincing.

Either way, people who play video games don't harm anyone else. If they choose to play it all day, then fine. However, it doesn't mean they'll get fat. Like I said, I used to (and to a certain extent, still do) play video games a lot. Some days, almost all day. I'm not fat. Nowhere near it. I play first grade football, I get out on quite a few occasions and enjoy other activities. But I still do play video games quite excessively. It comes down to nutrition and looking after yourself, and just because you're playing video games all day doesn't mean you're going to get fat.

Sometimes I feel you just argue for the sake of arguing, to be honest.

 

[Joey D]

You tell us that something that increases the risk of something else doesn't mean it will happen, yet you use that very argument in another thread. You're also "caring" about what other people are doing with their lives. This is probably the worst part, as what they're doing doesn't actually harm anyone else, like smoking. I realise the argument isn't against you personally, but it makes your arguments a lot less convincing.

You telling me I will get cancer from smoking doesn't mean it will happen either, yes you have a risk of getting cancer but not every single person will. Just like if you sit around playing games all day, not everyone will be fat but their is an increased risk of obesity. I'll admit I misspoke when I said video gaming will make you fat, what I really should have said is that it has the possibility to make you fat.

Do I care if you play games all day? No, it's your body and your life do what you want...but that's not going to stop me from thinking it's poor choice. I told you and anyone else in this smoking thread, I don't care what you do because ultimately it's your life, but I'm still going to say whether you are an idiot or not from doing something (i.e. the guy who runs across traffic example).

Either way, people who play video games don't harm anyone else. If they choose to play it all day, then fine. However, it doesn't mean they'll get fat. Like I said, I used to (and to a certain extent, still do) play video games a lot. Some days, almost all day. I'm not fat. Nowhere near it. I play first grade football, I get out on quite a few occasions and enjoy other activities. But I still do play video games quite excessively. It comes down to nutrition and looking after yourself, and just because you're playing video games all day doesn't mean you're going to get fat.

That video that was posted on the first page seems to have had others harmed, the kids WoW addiction seemed to have been breaking his family apart. Anything can harm someone else if done in excess. Say I worked out non-stop all the time and never did anything else...sure my body would be in great shape but I would have lost connections socially.

Like I said playing games all day can make you fat, just like smoking can give you cancer.

Sometimes I feel you just argue for the sake of arguing, to be honest.

We all have out opinions and I believe I have every right as anyone else to voice them.

**Per Famine's information, it seems you can not put me on your ignore list, so the only other thing I can really say is just choose to ignore my posts unless of course it falls under your moderation duties.

 

[Famine]

We all have out opinions and I believe I have every right as anyone else to voice them. If you don't like what I'm saying there is an ignore list you can put my name on and you don't have to read my posts.

No, he can't. One of the banes of being a Moderator.

 

[Silverzone]

I think if a person wants to spend their life playing video games, whatever man. They can do that just as much as I can go jam out or someone else can go play basketball. What if someone was addicted to baskteball?? It's an addiction, and addictions are bad no matter what activity they consist of. You could be addicted to anything really, pudding, baskteball, WoW, music, PCP, spending money, etc. The problem isn't in the activity, its in the person, and it rests entirely on their shoulders. You can't blame Blizzard or WoW for losing a social life. It's that person who is to blame. Besides, If a person wants to play WoW all day, it's really none of any other person's business.

*I don't play WoW, but I know people who have been addicted to it before.

 

[ChampCarFan]

Horde FTW! i WAS addicted to WoW now i only play once in a while, i realized that my friends were no longer calling and yeah, so i stopped for about 6 months and i just started playing again but that will never happen again. Now i only play once every week if that.

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

You telling me I will get cancer from smoking doesn't mean it will happen either, yes you have a risk of getting cancer but not every single person will. Just like if you sit around playing games all day, not everyone will be fat but their is an increased risk of obesity. I'll admit I misspoke when I said video gaming will make you fat, what I really should have said is that it has the possibility to make you fat.

Do I care if you play games all day? No, it's your body and your life do what you want...but that's not going to stop me from thinking it's poor choice. I told you and anyone else in this smoking thread, I don't care what you do because ultimately it's your life, but I'm still going to say whether you are an idiot or not from doing something (i.e. the guy who runs across traffic example).

Like I said playing games all day can make you fat, just like smoking can give you cancer.

That's exactly my point. Basically, when people were telling you that smoking can cause Cancer and increases the risks, you argued by saying that it doesn't mean it will happen, and that saying something can happen was a moot argument. You're now using the argument that playing video games can make you fat. It's incredibly contradicting.

I also disagree with this, anyway. Smoking is a direct cause of cancer. You can get cancer from the activity itself. Playing video games doesn't directly cause obesity. Sure, sitting down all day will contribute, but ultimately obesity's direct cause is overeating.

We all have out opinions and I believe I have every right as anyone else to voice them.

Absolutely, and I will be the first to argue for that. It's just a minor observation, though, that sometimes it seems you just argue points out of boredom.

**Per Famine's information, it seems you can not put me on your ignore list, so the only other thing I can really say is just choose to ignore my posts unless of course it falls under your moderation duties.

As Famine said, I can't. However, I wouldn't anyway. I don't like to run away, as such, from people, arguments or anything that I have a problem with. I also don't discount people on disagreements on subjects.

Secondly, I don't dislike you, Joey. I do think you have plenty to contribute GTPlanet, and I've had discussions with you before which weren't argumentitive or negative. You do have plenty of decent things to say. I just find that sometimes it gets overbearing how often you argue and debate, and it can get very tiring reading some of your posts. It doesn't mean I dislike you, nor does it mean I don't like having a decent debate on certain topics with you or anyone else. It's merely an observation, and I wanted to point it out - nothing personal.

 

[Joey D]

Absolutely, and I will be the first to argue for that. It's just a minor observation, though, that sometimes it seems you just argue points out of boredom.

I'll admit there are times when I get to that point, my job doesn't really what you would call exciting, so I do get very bored and I have to sit in front of a computer all day...well most of the day I do have to take pictures but that's diverting from the subject.

I don't think I've really changed my view, granted I did misspeak when I said video games will make you fat, that was a dumb comment on my part. I still think anyone has the right to do whatever they want and I don't think people should tell them to stop doing it. Did I over react in the smoking thread? Yes I do believe I did, however I really did feel like some members were telling me that I needed to quit smoking and I don't really like being told what to do. Maybe I took it the wrong way, I don't know.

If one wants to play WoW till they are blue in the face, go for it. I did see in that link Pako posted though how bad it really can get, some people have destroyed their marriages, lost their jobs, lost all their money, etc. because of that game. Video games have every chance of being destructive to you as smoking, and just as addictive. So maybe you won't get fat, but maybe you'll drive your significant other away, or be fired from your job, or whatever.

That's all I say on the subject for now, unless asked a direct question. I feel as if this horse has been beating throughly enough.

Secondly, I don't dislike you, Joey. I do think you have plenty to contribute GTPlanet, and I've had discussions with you before which weren't argumentitive or negative. You do have plenty of decent things to say. I just find that sometimes it gets overbearing how often you argue and debate, and it can get very tiring reading some of your posts. It doesn't mean I dislike you, nor does it mean I don't like having a decent debate on certain topics with you or anyone else. It's merely an observation, and I wanted to point it out - nothing personal.

I don't dislike you either, I don't really dislike anyone here because after all it is just the internet. I don't know any of you personally and judging you by a little slice of internet persona isn't exactly fair.

I like to argue, I do it in real life with people, mostly over cars. That's where I like to keep most of my attention while I'm here as well, I would rather debate over cars and what not because it's a meaningless debate that just passes the time while at work or at school.

There are times, like I said, when I go overboard...and then I just need to step back and go, "meh it's just the internet". I think we all forget that at some point, just some do it more often then others.

 

[Danoff]

"meh it's just the internet"

That's actually my whole point - that it's not JUST the internet. It's real. You're interacting with real people, having real, meaningful conversations.

This goes back into part of the conversation earlier when you made some sort of reference to WoW being fake and basketball being real (or something to that effect). My point is that none of this is fake. Playing a video game is just as real and just as productive (probably more so) than playing sports (unless of course you're planning on becoming a professional sports player).

I'd say feel free to get worked up over a convo you're having on the internet. You're talking to a real person with their own distinct point of view. Ironically the internet actually has a tendency to make people say what they really think, which makes the conversation that much more meaningful.

 

[Joey D]

A conversation, a debate, a game, anything over the internet is no where near as real as actually seeing someone face to face. I know what a handful of you look like based on some of the picture thread, I know what some of you drive, and I know where some of you live based on the locations in your profile. But I'm more likely to recognize you by your avatar rather then anything personal about you. That's far from reality.

It is just the internet, sure it's somewhat social but I don't know any of you in the same way I know say any of my real life friends. Could we make it more personal? Sure. But most of us don't because this forum is just a way to waste some time while we are bored or just want to find out some information about GT or maybe about some automotive news.

Typing behind a computer shouldn't be a substitute for actually talking to a real live human being in my opinion. For all I know one of you could be a computer talking back to me and I would never know.

While I get worked up over an internet conversation at times, in my view it really is a dumb thing to do because I don't know any of you and it's not even meaningful.

 

[Swift]

A conversation, a debate, a game, anything over the internet is no where near as real as actually seeing someone face to face. I know what a handful of you look like based on some of the picture thread, I know what some of you drive, and I know where some of you live based on the locations in your profile. But I'm more likely to recognize you by your avatar rather then anything personal about you. That's far from reality.

It is just the internet, sure it's somewhat social but I don't know any of you in the same way I know say any of my real life friends. Could we make it more personal? Sure. But most of us don't because this forum is just a way to waste some time while we are bored or just want to find out some information about GT or maybe about some automotive news.

Typing behind a computer shouldn't be a substitute for actually talking to a real live human being in my opinion. For all I know one of you could be a computer talking back to me and I would never know.

While I get worked up over an internet conversation at times, in my view it really is a dumb thing to do because I don't know any of you and it's not even meaningful.

How is debating online, whether it be on a forum, a chat program or with a program like Teamspeak any different then talking/debating with someone on the phone? Would you consider a phone conversation "real"?

 

[Danoff]

A conversation, a debate, a game, anything over the internet is no where near as real as actually seeing someone face to face.

Why? What makes it less real? Because I can't see your face? Why is that important? Why does that make it real? I can see your mind.

I know what a handful of you look like based on some of the picture thread, I know what some of you drive, and I know where some of you live based on the locations in your profile. But I'm more likely to recognize you by your avatar rather then anything personal about you. That's far from reality.

Is my avatar not real? (aside from the fact that it's a joke... yes... it really is a joke)

It is just the internet, sure it's somewhat social but I don't know any of you in the same way I know say any of my real life friends. Could we make it more personal? Sure. But most of us don't because this forum is just a way to waste some time while we are bored or just want to find out some information about GT or maybe about some automotive news.

You get to know the folks here differently than the folks you know in person. That doesn't make it less real. That makes your relationship different. You're still interacting with real human beings about important subjects. You just don't know the minutia of their existence. You're not familiar with their house or their car or their hairstyle or clothing or weight etc. etc. But you're suddenly familiar with their likes and dislikes. Their opinions, their struggles etc. etc.

Typing behind a computer shouldn't be a substitute for actually talking to a real live human being in my opinion.

Typing behind a compute can be an EXCELLENT substitute for talking to a real live human being. Do you think I talk about religion, politics, and human rights theory with my co-workers? Family members? Not a chance. I have to live with these people. I can't really breach these subjects unless I have some degree of anonymity - otherwise every conversation turns into that and instead of talking about my home improvement projects or what's going on in my life, I end up debating religion or politics with someone I don't really want to debate with.

Like I said, it's an excellent substitute. That's actually 90% of the reason I come here.

While I get worked up over an internet conversation at times, in my view it really is a dumb thing to do because I don't know any of you and it's not even meaningful.

I think in a lot of ways the conversations I have on GTPlanet are MORE meaningful than conversations I have with my friends in person. If I chat with my buddy in person about his latest car purchase, his kitchen remodel, his fantasy football team, or the latest south park episode, how is that more meaningful than coming here and talking about religion, global warming, or the evils of redistribution of wealth? Which of those carries more meaning?

Yes, I've touched on those topics with my close friends. But you can only disagree so far with many friends before things get ugly. And you learn what topics to avoid over time.

 

[Joey D]

Would you consider a phone conversation "real"?

Not really to be honest, I would rather talk to someone face to face if I could. It's more real then typing something for sure, but you can see a person's emotions while behind a computer or a phone. Sure you can actually hear them on the phone, which is better, but typing a lot of times things get lost. You don't know whether I'm being a smartass, sarcastic, truthful, whatever.

And Danoff:

Personally I do not feel that I have meaningful conversations on an internet forum that is based around the theme of Gran Turismo. Some might others might not. I personally have deeper conversations with my friends and family about religion, politics, whatever because I feel a closer connection to them. It's different for everyone. I don't consider a username and an avatar a real person...I tend to forget a lot of the time there is someone just like me typing away on a computer somewhere.

 

[Swift]

Not really to be honest, I would rather talk to someone face to face if I could. It's more real then typing something for sure, but you can see a person's emotions while behind a computer or a phone. Sure you can actually hear them on the phone, which is better, but typing a lot of times things get lost. You don't know whether I'm being a smartass, sarcastic, truthful, whatever.

Uh, so your basis for how "real" a communication is is determined by your ability to determine the other person's tone and/or posture? That seems rather strange to me.

 

[Joey D]

Uh, so your basis for how "real" a communication is is determined by your ability to determine the other person's tone and/or posture? That seems rather strange to me.

You said "real" not real. I took the "real" in quotes to mean on what level I felt the conversation was. If I had my option, I would rather talk to someone face to face because I feel it's more meaningful, a phone conversation would be next because I can at least hear the person, with internet typing communications be the least preferred. I like to be able to see and hear the person I'm talking to, it's just my personal preference. I'm sorry you find that to be strange.

 

[livemusic]

You don't know whether I'm being a smartass, sarcastic, truthful, whatever.

That's what emoticons are for.

 

[Joey D]

That's what emoticons are for.

I don't really care for using emoticons and you'll only ever really see me use the one or the 👍 one on this forum. I might throw another one in there liek the rolleyes from time to time but for the most part I do not use them for whatever reason.

 

[Swift]

You said "real" not real. I took the "real" in quotes to mean on what level I felt the conversation was. If I had my option, I would rather talk to someone face to face because I feel it's more meaningful, a phone conversation would be next because I can at least hear the person, with internet typing communications be the least preferred. I like to be able to see and hear the person I'm talking to, it's just my personal preference. I'm sorry you find that to be strange.

Nothing to be sorry about at all. But I do appreciate you stating this as your opinion now when before it seemed like you were trying to make a factual argument.

I can understand what you would personally choose as far as communication goes. But it doesn't make any other form of communication less real or less meaningful.

 

[Joey D]

Nothing to be sorry about at all. But I do appreciate you stating this as your opinion now when before it seemed like you were trying to make a factual argument.

I can understand what you would personally choose as far as communication goes. But it doesn't make any other form of communication less real or less meaningful.

To me it does, there is nothing meaningful to me about an e-mail for me, it's just like reading a word document. There is nothing meaningful about an AIM conversation (I don't use AIM for the record) either.

I don't understand how people can have meaningful conversation through written words.

 

[Swift]

To me it does, there is nothing meaningful to me about an e-mail for me, it's just like reading a word document. There is nothing meaningful about an AIM conversation (I don't use AIM for the record) either.

I don't understand how people can have meaningful conversation through written words.

Uh, so you negate the entire written history of man? All the letters sent between government officials discussing policy? Notes to loved ones in the battlefield, etc?

Written words in many cases can be MORE powerful then spoken because you have a chance to ponder and choose your words carefully to fit the message you wish to convey. Granted, you can do this in a one on one conversation. But not to the same degree, especially if it's a spur of the moment conversation.

 

[Joey D]

Uh, so you negate the entire written history of man?

Written words in many cases can be MORE powerful then spoken because you have a chance to ponder and choose your words carefully to fit the message you wish to convey. Granted, you can do this in a one on one conversation. But not to the same degree, especially if it's a spur of the moment conversation.

Yes written words can be more powerful for sure, but I'm not really talking about books, histories or anything like that right now. I'm talking about a conversation in the social sense. If I was going to discuss say whether or not God is real with my friends I wouldn't fire off an e-mail. I would do it face to face with them.

I don't know, I guess it's just how I am.

 

[Danoff]

Yes written words can be more powerful for sure, but I'm not really talking about books, histories or anything like that right now. I'm talking about a conversation in the social sense. If I was going to discuss say whether or not God is real with my friends I wouldn't fire off an e-mail. I would do it face to face with them.

I don't know, I guess it's just how I am.

It tend to find that I'm far worse at getting my point across in person because I don't have the proper time to sit back and think about how I want to get my point across. I tend to come up with much more potent points and clearer demonstrations when I have time to put it in writing.

 

[Swift]

Yes written words can be more powerful for sure, but I'm not really talking about books, histories or anything like that right now. I'm talking about a conversation in the social sense. If I was going to discuss say whether or not God is real with my friends I wouldn't fire off an e-mail. I would do it face to face with them.

I don't know, I guess it's just how I am.

Ok, but how many people can you talk to at one time, face to face 5 to 10 with an actual conversation? How many can you talk to on a forum at one time...well, a lot more then 5 or 10.

What I'm trying to simply say is that if you like to limit your realm of "meaningful" communication to face to face that's fine. But that's a lot like the older man that won't use a fax machine because he doesn't trust electronics. He has to have the letter sent by the mail system. It does the same exact thing, he just refuses to accept it.

Talking online or in person is the same, minus the actual physical presence. Whether you like it better or not is totally personal and non-relevant to the topic.

Good discussion though. 👍

 

[Joey D]

Just because I don't find it meaningful doesn't mean I don't use it, I mean I've posted on these forums for over 5 years, I probably send 100-200 e-mails a day for my job, and about 10-20 personal e-mails for various things. I don't think I really have to accept it, I mean yes I understand this is the electronic age and e-mailing for work saves me a lot of time because I can type very quickly and I'm not tied up on the phone. But for deep, meaningful, conversations I want to be face to face...unless of course a long distance separates us...like when I talked to my girlfriend from the UK.

 

[Swift]

Just because I don't find it meaningful doesn't mean I don't use it, I mean I've posted on these forums for over 5 years, I probably send 100-200 e-mails a day for my job, and about 10-20 personal e-mails for various things. I don't think I really have to accept it, I mean yes I understand this is the electronic age and e-mailing for work saves me a lot of time because I can type very quickly and I'm not tied up on the phone. But for deep, meaningful, conversations I want to be face to face...unless of course a long distance separates us...like when I talked to my girlfriend from the UK.

Ok, I wasn't going to say this. But you're being a hypocrite on this issue. :idea:You're continually posting about how this mode of communication doesn't have nearly the meaning that face to face conversation do. If it doesn't matter all that much, then why post in constant opposition to my and Danoff's viewpoint.

Not to mention you contradicted yourself in your last statement. I'm sure everyone would agree that a deep talk with your significant other or other person close to you is better face to face. But for everything else, phone, email and online communication is just fine.