The perils of covering game addiction

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There seems to be an underlying fallaciously and stigma about addiction, as if it is always, in all cases a bad thing. This is false.

Addictive behavior is in of itself is not bad, it's the harm caused by such behavior that we qualify as bad.

I would be the first person to say that I'm addicted to games, as much as a person who only plays 1 hr a day can be. (although I spend much more time thinking about, and reading about games then actually playing)
So fucking what?

Am I any less of a person because I'm addicted to video games?
Do I cause harm to myself or other people as a result of my addiction?
Does this addiction have ANY tangible negative effects on my wellbeing?

In short, no, not at all.

While in some rare cases video game addiction can cause real problems, but until such problems can be demonstrated, finding someone to be addicted to games is moot, like an addiction to chocolate or butterflies.

And if someone gets bent out of shape just because I'm addicted, they can kiss my ass, I don't give a shit.

~Yoh

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Way to pwn your own reasoning there!

"Am I any less of a person because I'm addicted to video games?
Do I cause harm to myself or other people as a result of my addiction?
Does this addiction have ANY tangible negative effects on my wellbeing?"

The first question is too subjective and philosophical to be answered but the latter two definitely can't be answered with a "NO". Well, in case of an actual addiction, of course. One hour a day in front of a PC is actually GOOD since it's merely a form of entertainment, but much more hours are BAD.

You (generic) do cause psychological harm to others if you game too much. You risk severing relationships and even insulting people who tell you to quit gaming for a bit and spend some more time with them (I know lots of people who did this AT LEAST once, myself included).

Also sitting in front of a monitor/TV screen gaming is no different from sitting on a couch watching sports instead of practicing sports: you gain weight, your sight diminishes (proven fact so don't BS me on this one), your social EQ diminishes (spending 7 hours in chat channels doesn't help understand people more than 1 hours does). Are these tangible enough for you? I hope so.

But there's a very good side to this addiction: it's fun and costs less than any other form of entertainment (if handled with care). Plus it naturally fades when and IF you decide to take on responsibilities :]

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