Listen up nerds and listen good, I've got some bad news for you.

Edit:

Tons of redpillers up in here defending video games right now. Interesting. We could defend Weed or Marriage the same way.. lots of people do. You reading between the lines yet?

Not only are video games wasting your time, but they are probably misallocating and wasting your next most precious resource - your Drive.

These industries specialize in hijacking your neural chemistry. Dopamine hits galore.

"Correct your mind, and the rest of your life will fall into place." ~ Lao Tzu

Preface:

I've been an avid gamer my entire life. There is a photo in my family album of me sitting in my dad's lap at 2 years old, brother nearby, playing DragonQuest on the Atari.

I built a career out of it. Building and troubleshooting my own PCs and figuring out how to install cheats, mods, drivers, all that shit laid the foundation for a walk-on career in IT. I went from slingin' Subway sandwiches to being fully remote at 6figs in about 6 years.

I've done LAN parties, gone to cons, tripped acid to play a video game, and yes - sat around for weeks and even months and even years of my life doing little else but smoking weed and gaming.

I logged something like 3 years of IRL time on World of Warcraft, if we are counting 8hour days like an office job.

I say all that to say this.

Video games are a trap just as bad as Porn. To repeat the topline again because I cannot emphasize this enough - video games are REWIRING your brain in bad ways.

It's not just about the lost time. It's about the lost interest. It's about the easy win, instant gratification that companies deliberately build in to make their products more engaging.

It's about picking up that book or project instead of saying: "meh, that's too boring, I'm gonna just game instead." Imagine instead being able to pick up that book and feel satisfied and interested in it.

It's about having a script, pretending in your head that you are a special snowflake, that you are resolving important problems, that you are Victorious in competition, that people love and care about you, that you have status and purpose, etc.

It's about sitting around bored out of your mind, but instead of taking the easy way out, you are now forced to walk out of the door, text somebody, or try something new.

It's about not feeling so "rushed" all the time. Being able to relax as you climb the mountain. Being confident with your stride because you know you are painting the correct targets now.

Basically everything a man could want out of life is being replaced by pixels.

None of it is real. And if you play enough, there is no unplugging. Just like any other addiction the negative psychological and biological effects walk around with you during your regular life.

Maybe you don't try that new thing because it doesn't feel more "important" than saving the Galaxy from alien robots. Maybe you don't talk to that girl because - well - you haven't saved her yet. Isn't that how it works?

This decision making can happen subconsciously or consciously, and either way, you are trading experiences and a journey in the REAL WORLD for those which are cookie-cutter, one size fits all and virtual.

The Moment of Change

For about 3+ years I was both a self-identifying gamer and a secret student of TRP.

Odd combo eh? I was stubborn. I convinced myself, as long as I was making a little progress and trying hard, it still was ok to spend 30 hours a week gaming.

Surely I was better than the neckbeards. At least I was "TRYING". And had some success even.

A month ago I sold my PC. Something I never thought I would ever do.

One of the most tangible and thrilling results is that I now feel like I have more TIME and INTEREST in the world around me, the real people I find along the way, and all of the "Quests" and goals I had set for myself after finding TRP.

I used to feel like I would not make it. All the math in my head refused to add up. I was too late. Like I was hanging on by my fingertips meanwhile you see some guys out there go from fat blob to shredded god in a couple years.

It seemed like no matter how hard I tried most other people were better, faster, hit goals quicker, and made my efforts look weak & pathetic. I chalked this up to alot of things, being a late bloomer, still tryna be a good person (niceguy), but in truth Gaming was one of the very worst reasons.

I felt suicidal over it at times. I've felt the business end of a loaded gun against my skin.

Now?? After only a month I can say with confidence -- I am playing the MMO of life. The best goddamn Game there ever was. Best graphics. Best realism. Best immersion. Highest challenge too - no saves, no cheat codes, no script or cosmic destiny railroading you. Just a big ass world.

The best part? I now see myself as my own protagonist.

I shit you not I still go on quests, I still slay dragons, I still explore mysterious and exciting new realms and meet dangerous, magical and beautiful people.

But I do it here. Right fucking here man.

So stop hiding behind the screen. I swear to you it's worth it. I promise that you will enjoy Real Life more than any video game.

PS: My caveat here is that after some time, and when I know with unshakable confidence gaming is not taking away from my real life in any way, I will go back to it for the social aspects.

Keeping in touch with friends & family via video games is a valuable option. It's a great way to interact and engage with people over vast distances, but's about the only place it deserves in my life.

PSS: My momma (rest her soul) always told me, if I could focus on my school/work the way I played video games I'd be a killer.

We about to find out. Coming for that high score motha fuckaz and you aint even SEEN how a gamer can grind