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
Ketonian_Empire 5y ago
I was thinking of making a hello post but I haven't searched out if that is the norm here. I'm new to this sub. But I agree a lot on this post! I read 'The Manipulated Man' all in a day Wednesday, and it is eye opening! Anyways long story short the snakediet guy Cole Robinson recent long video on youtube opened my eyes about the red pill and I am completely converted. So much so i'm looking to cut out pornography and gaming out of my life completely. I have been brainwashed to pretty much worship women, and porn was partaking in that which caused me to twist my views as they lead us etc... Cole woke me the fuck up. I want to become a red pill soldier. Anyways it will be a week in this Sunday and it has been very easy zero desire to get the high off those things. This post actually has helped me see that video games are just as bad, so i've been deleting several off my phone. I might even convert back to a dumb phone. Thanks for making this post, further helping me!
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
I've never seem anyone do intro posts unless they are an Endorsed Contributor or some kind of other manosphere producer such as Roll Tomassi.
I think switching to a dumbphone is a great step especially if you struggle with self regulation. I did the same kind of thing to ditch gaming - I sold my PC. Easy, direct way to make a significant change.
GL HF
Bazino 5y ago
First of all, you're only off them for a month and act like it has changed your life forever. That's not the right point to be posting advice about this. It's like the smoker who says "Quit smoking, it changes your life" and then says he's been off cigarettes for a day now... for the 30th day, this month.
But even then, you're just making a big assumption over all video games over all people.
Not all video games are the same. Not all of them have only short-term dopamine boosting goals in them. There are some game out there that will literally teach you economics and strategic thinking over YEARS to get to the top.
Not everyone reacts the same to video games. I've played so much during my life, you probably won't believe it. I played for huge goals sometimes (twice world champion, took part in Guinness world record once) and sometimes just to forget life when I was depressed. But it never stopped me from doing all the other things. When I was younger I would still go out and play sports with friends (until all of them got married and stopped). And now I still read A LOT of books and educate myself, even tho I do regularily game (almost daily).
I think you will always come back to one basic idea:
ANYTHING (as in ANY hobby) done like crazy, which does not actually improve you (education, fitness), can (should?) be named as evil and you might want to reduce it.
If your hobby is collecting postage stamps and all you do is search for new ones, read about them, sort them, handle them with tiny tweezers, etc. do you think that's different?
The dose makes the poison.
ex_addict_bro 5y ago
Weed in moderation
Marriage in moderation
I’m a video game alpha nothing bad will happen to me u jelly?
Pouderpuff 5y ago
As long as I'm putting my 50hrs in at work and hitting the gym at least 3 times a week. (5x when bulking) I'm going to spend my free time how I want to. End of story. "But you could be doing something productive" The only thing productive wise you should be focused on is your long and shot term goals.
If you're an idiot who let's it get in your way of your sleep schedule or your iron palace. That's on you and now Its crossed into the realm of being a problem. Fix it.
Quitting video games or porn doesn't automatically make you better than any other man. That's just ridiculous. The only way you're better than the average joe is staying focused and driven on what you want in your life and maintaining the foundation of the steps that will lead you to whatever it is you seek.
sorryforthelifestory 5y ago
Thank you, I needed to hear this.
thewrecker8 5y ago
I think people tend to go from one extreme to the other with things like porn or video games. I tend to stick by the motto "everything in moderation". EVERYTHING in the world can affect you negatively if it becomes your whole world.
If you go to McDonald's once a month or so because you're craving a big Mac is it going to make you a fat blob? No. If you eat it every day will it? More than likely yes. If you jerk it to a hot porno once or twice a week is it detrimental to your expectation of sex? Probably not. If you're jerking it twice a day every to porn, will it get to the point you're getting desitised by it and you can only get off to one armed midgets stuffing their heads into a horses ass? Likely. And if you like to wind down your day playing a video game for an hour or so a few times a week. Is it ruining your life. I don't think so. Everyone has needs their little escapes or down time in this world. How you spend it is up to you. Just don't let it consume your life.
john_tree 5y ago
This assumption is wrong at it's core. Everything in moderation, meaning:
Playing vidya 40h a week=bad, 20 or 10h=okay
Smoking a pack a day=bad, 10 or 5 cigs a day=okay?
Shooting up a full spoon of heroin=bad, half a spoon=okay?
You get the point.
The philosophical teaching behind the OP post lies in the essencial principle of dissecting the nature of certain habits, and in that nature, recognizing its sneaky ways of subverting your mind, thus enslaving or trapping you into addictive behaviours, for which most humans do not even possess the mental tools to set themselves free. It is evil, diabolical.
It's about the implication laying behind the action of indulging in a little bit of hedonism, and the falacy is believing that it will be harmless.
It will not. It will be of equal damage, or worse, because it will be less detectable. The full on addict can recognise his addiction instantly on account of being a full on addict, but how about the "moderate addict"? He has laid himself a courtain hiding his addiction, masking it as moderate indulgence, thus making it impossible for him or the people around him to even realise his problem.
You would nevertheless be correct to point out that the problems moderate addicts face are of a minor magnitude compared to problems full on addicts face, that would be right, but this does not mean in any way, that self inflicting moderate addiction to yourself is a harmless practice.
KeffirLime 5y ago
You're correct, but I do think when someone is hopelessly addicted to something cutting it out entirely and building a life away from it is necessary to truly cut the habit.
Duelist_Roger 5y ago
There is where I have singing. I am but an average when It comes to voice etc. but I still love It more than almost everything.
I stopped playing games and I quit porn, but singing? I can't. It help me being less stressful in daily life and It connects me to Japan/China/Korea in the best possible way except learning those languages in idle time (what I do).
When It comes to manga&anime I read once-twice a week like 20minutes and It doesn't ruin my life and watching one-two episodes every once in a while is fine too.
mynameismcfly 5y ago
You make a good point here. I think self-awareness is the most important thing when it comes to video games. It's easy to lie to yourself about the impact it has on you.
​
I was big on video games growing up, and spent countless hours on them like a lot of kids my age. My freshman year of college I brought my console with me. I would spend any free time playing. GTA V came out, and I swear I spent about 4 days straight, playing, skipping classes and even meals. Luckily I somehow ended up in a group of super RP friends who were all about getting out and the literally dragged me to the clubs and parties.
​
At one point I had to be brutally honest about what I was getting out of video games and whether it was worth whatever else I was sacrificing. I gave the console away and haven't bought one since. If I'm at a friends place and they have one, I'll play, but I swore to myself I would never purchase another video game because I know I don't really have the self control to handle having one. It's similar to how some recovering alcoholics cannot even have one sip of alcohol because they know they can't handle themselves. I had to have that honest conversation with myself, and because of that self-awareness I've been able to fill that time with other activities (gym, music, etc.) Not saying everyone is like this, but this was my experience. Some people can handle video games in moderation.
SteroidsFreak 5y ago
Well said. If you're new to Red pill and feel like an addict then this applies to you. Otherwise doing things in moderation is ok. This mentality can also be applied to anything you do excessively whether you may think it's positive. Same thing with PUA, it's draining and you need to chill and work on yourself at the same time.
boxxybebe 5y ago
The problem is that some people have more addictive wiring than others. Same way some people can do heroin every now and then for fun, while others do it once and are hooked for life. The latter is better off quitting it forever.
MeMakinMoves 5y ago
Some people have low self discipline. Why waste the effort trying to moderate your sins, fighting tooth and nail to stay above the water, when you can simply set your resolve and save your energy by stopping it cold turkey and focusing on other aspects of your life? The vice that is causing the issues would not be a problem if the person could self moderate like you say. At some points in your life, you have to decided whether pleasure or purpose is the driver of your life. Addicted people often have to choose one or the other.
dongpal 5y ago
it has nothing to do with self discipline. it's just that some people get addicted more easily to some things than others.
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
You aren't wrong because really what you're saying is "be alpha and do what you want, responsibly."
Duh.
Look around though. Most of us aren't there yet and most of us may never be. These little indulgences have a tendency to addict us, to make us need them, to make us weak over time and thus need more and more. Add the hardships of life and there you go.
Sounds just like a female doesn't it?
What's the better piece of advice for your 12 yo. son?
Smoke cigarettes responsibly son and they can be very enjoyable without the negatives
Or
Never smoke that 1st cigarette and you'll never have a problem
B3ER 5y ago
False equivalence, mate. I agree with you overall but don't weaken your point with fallacies.
Battagliare 5y ago
I disagree on Porn. You should just quit it. That shit rots your brain.
BobbyPeru 5y ago
I quit porn completely 2 years ago. My sex life has quadrupled
BiteAndThrow 5y ago
4x0=0 Sorry, couldn't resist
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
Congrats. That's a huge accomplishment dude stay with it.
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boxxybebe 5y ago
I still don't get why porn is that bad. I used to watch porn daily and I don't anymore (once or twice a week now), and I don't feel much different.
iampattym 5y ago
Yea idk if I’m sold on NoFap as a whole, but porn is definitely bad for you.
Just use your imagination
nsfwalt900 5y ago
No Fap is retarded. Porn is degenerate and the only people who should be watching it are guys that have premature ejaculation issue.
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Battagliare 5y ago
No because it fucks your dopamine receptors smartass, im not chanting it because its some kind of dogma or ideology.
Vithonil 5y ago
Source for that claim? I'd love reading up on this
Battagliare 5y ago
https://fightthenewdrug.org/3-lies-most-people-believe-about-porn-and-the-brain/
https://fightthenewdrug.org/overview/#brain
https://www.quora.com/Is-there-a-way-to-enjoy-porn-without-desensitisation-of-dopamine-receptors (Gary Wilson's reply)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4394849/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4600144/
I find it very interesting that primary source of arguements against Porn (Yourbrainonporn.com) has been ((shut down)) for some reason.
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papunigga031 5y ago
Porn is a complete waste. Video games are also a complete waste.
What people need to do is get off of all of these useless sources so they fix their fucking heads. Then naturally they'll start enjoying doing more human, productive things.
Down time is necessary, but my point is when the mind is no longer battered by huge synthetic dopamine spikes, it'll start enjoying productive things. Reading books, learning an instrument, learning a language, will eventually become fun, and that'll be what the mind prefers to do during its down time.
adool777 5y ago
For me, they are a way to stay in touch with friends.
AeonAutumn 5y ago
I like this. Makes sense. Going to do it.
Aqua_Virus 5y ago
Ditch all entertainment for productivity, that'll surely do you good.
papunigga031 5y ago
By definition it will. And productivity will become entertaining.
Aqua_Virus 5y ago
So what are you doing here? Commenting on reddit isn't productive.
papunigga031 5y ago
“Never argue with an idiot, they’ll drag you down to their level, then win through experience.”
ex_addict_bro 5y ago
The image they look at doesn’t even “exist”, it’s just fake.
Looking_4_Stacys_mom 5y ago
I wouldn't say video games are a COMPLETE waste... Playing some video games with the lads on a sunday afternoon isn't too bad every now and then
throwaway46819 5y ago
Yeah, I occasionally watch a film when I'm with family. Playing games is similar, especially if you're doing it with others.
But then again every time I've played a game by myself, I regret the time I wasted on it, even if it was "just" an hour.
nsfwalt900 5y ago
But I feel like such a bad ass with my fire cape.
Kimdabrim 5y ago
Nice infernal cape nub
SerialATA_Killer 5y ago
Please I'm trying to read how to quit.
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Fortnite_FaceBlaster 5y ago
Nope, many benefits to gaming. Many.
celincelin 5y ago
Humans have been playing games since forever, it’s a human thing. Are you yourself not on Reddit right now?
Not a single retard here proved any of that dopamine rewiring broscience.
Learning an instrument or a language is a “down time”, Jesus in hell, you’re under influence, mate? How many languages and instruments have you learnt, by the way?
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
YES YES YES.
The TL;DR right here. Make it easy on yourself to be a winner fellas that is the name of the game.
gabeangelo 5y ago
You should read the scientific literature around videogames. You'll be surprised how good they actually are ;)
papunigga031 5y ago
I too love to watch hamsters running on their wheels. It's entertaining.
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
Hahahaha fucking dead
gabeangelo 5y ago
Ah, typical strawman fallacy ;) That must mean that you clearly ignore the benefits and the studies around the benefits of videogames don't want to change your fixed , although fallacious, ideas.
Have a good day :p
Kerakos96 5y ago
Can you elaborate on this? I've started working on myself a lot since the past year and have done some good progress, especially with fitness and clean eating. The one thing I am still really unsatisfied with is me wasting my time sitting at the PC. I'd love to have a real and genuine long term interest in reading books, learning an instrument etc. but when it comes to the Question if I'd rather spend my evening watching YouTube or reading a book, you know what most likely my choice will be. I just can't get as excited and motivated as I get with working out and cooking myself some healthy food, which I also (thankfully) gave up a lot of Online time for.
xenigala 5y ago
Try taking notes on the youtube videos you watch. Before clicking on a new video, pause and write down the main points, interesting quotes, questions that you have, any inspirations for IRL projects.
Writing down will help you to remember.
Take a moment and think before you watch another video.
Watching a video is not that much different than watching a lecture.
papunigga031 5y ago
This is because your brain has formed an attachment to that source of dopamine (YouTube). You need to deprive yourself/take time away from YouTube so your brain can heal.
Think about a drug addict. An addict must take time away from a drug (rehab) before they can put themselves back into the world and actually enjoy the world again.
Take a break from YouTube for a while. Force yourself to do other things. Read before bed instead. At first it will be hard/boring, but over time you will get used to it and actually start to enjoy it. Eventually you won't even consider YouTube anymore.
This won't be easy. I recommend even blocking YouTube to assist you. The brain will always hamster reasons to return to the source of dopamine its addicted to, and addiction takes a while to break (usually ~90 days). You need to find a way to constantly block yourself from going back to it/remind yourself to avoid it.
dongpal 5y ago
also block reddit.
redpillschool Admin 5y ago
esp trp
dongpal 5y ago
nah im serious. block simulations ( porn , video games,, youtube/reddit/social media ) and you will work at higher efficiency.
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the-dan-man 5y ago
It doesn't work like that. You don't just stop watching porn and playing video games etc when you realise it is a waste of time. Everyone knows that for fucks sake. The fact is that these things are so appealing to guys now, that there is no better alternative, because they are immediate and varied and easily accessible. Guys are having too much of a good time. There is no incentive for much else. If there was community centres offering free music lessons and free language lessons etc, then that would be an incentive.
TitusBjarni 5y ago
Looks like a bunch of excuses to me.
papunigga031 5y ago
Yes you do. I've done it. It's called challenging yourself and not expecting things to be handed to you.
valourtore 5y ago
Agree completely. Video games and porn are just rewards without the actual challenge. Porn for sex and video games for accomplishment.
TheStoicCrane 5y ago
Compensatory behaviors at heart.
BigApoints 5y ago
I follow TRP but rarely bother to engage. Wanted to point out that there are fun, cheap and even free ways to learn languages. For less then the cost of a few games you can get enough tools to learn a language to at least a useful level.
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[deleted] 5y ago
Agreed, but there is a reason language-learning software is trying to gamify their programs. It fails because, as grindy as a lot of videogames are, they can still mete out awards faster and for less actual work than the real world. It's like saying coke is great and all, but have you tried having a cup of strong tea for a night out?
[deleted] 5y ago
And honestly, what's the point of learning French? So you can talk to a waiter and be smug about it on your one shitty vacation to Paris? The Romantic Era is done, and the horrors of globalization and leisure travel for the masses is a cultural genocide destroying any place that was ever worth visiting.
yungassed 5y ago
Idk about french in particular but in my experience, learning a new language expands how you are able to think, rationalize and express oneselfs due to the difference formats and nuances they all have. It always gives one a much better understanding of the original language and the limitions it posses that they were previously unaware off. It's similar to coding languages where each one has its pros and cons but still share certain fundamentals. By knowing more, your implicit understanding grows.
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
Next time you think this bullshit look at the Chad living the life you want to live and remind yourself that nothing in his life is worth the effort of peeling yourself away from the idiot box.
the-dan-man 5y ago
I think you misunderstood, i wasn't supporting peoples choice to watch TV all day etc I dont. And i dont play video games, but i used to a lot. And i loved it, maybe even more than i do now, when i dont play them ever. I was pointing out the fact that guys need incentive these days. That is pretty obvious. And i have never seen a Chad living the life i want, i don't think of shit like that. It is all relative.
saze83 5y ago
The world is not so black and white. There are plenty of Chads that are gamers in their spare time. There are plenty of guys engaging in productive pursuits that couldn't wet a vagina to save their lives.
Everything in moderation, including moderation.
valourtore 5y ago
I don’t understand why so many redpillers are subscribing to the idea that video gaming/porn is not a waste of time. Of course it is. Everyone knows that deep down inside, yet they go about proclaiming that it isn’t. An exception to the rule is if you are in the porn industry or in the video gaming industry/pro e-gamer in which case you are producing, not consuming and can sustain yourself off it.
All these people claim to be redpillers and yet they delude themselves with consumerist ideals of moderation (have some, it won’t kill you) and escapism.
Derfaust 5y ago
And the same goes for any other forms of escapism instead of being present in the real world ( i.e. movies, series, fiction novels).
People all agree that you should watch what you put in your body like dont ever eat junk food but you should also avoid junk stimulus. Escapism is the junk food of the mind.
[deleted] 5y ago
+1, how the fuck did you get multiple digit downvotes?
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
What is cognitive dissonance?
[deleted] 5y ago
Something about leading a horse to water and beating it for not drinking.
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
Can't save em all bro. I'd love to but.. just can't.
[deleted] 5y ago
It took over a year on TRP to get serious about lifting. Six months later, everything promised has come true. More respect from men, more IOI's from women, plates knowing full well they are plates but coming back over for another proper railing.
SlySoothSayer 5y ago
I’ve been living by everything in moderation principle for years. It’s a ground breaking concept
ExaltedR3V3NG3 5y ago
Moderation depends on the context. For instance, 4 years ago I killed off my social media from one day to the other, and the first week was hard, but after then I had zero regrets and I didn't miss anything. Is vidya pointless? Only if you don't work directly on it (read: DEVELOPING games) or it can help you (if you want to be a race driver chances are you are playing a simracer to improve your skills at home). For social encounters it doesn't hurt to play a multiplayer game here and there.
For solo gaming I just invest an hour per week and it leaves me satisfied; I have 167h left to do more productive stuff
Althoughw 5y ago
Wait, isn't reddit social media? What do you mean?
ExaltedR3V3NG3 5y ago
I meant the usual ones: twitter, facebook, instagram... Reddit? It is, by the definition of being a social network. Yet I've always seen it as the CostCo of forum sites.
So... you've caught me.
BillyRedRocks 5y ago
If video games weren't a problem this thread wouldn't have 200+ comments.
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Aqua_Virus 5y ago
I mean, I could probably find a thread criticizing TRP with 200+ comments, does that make it a problem?
FTFY.
BillyRedRocks 5y ago
Video games are not controversial. And yes if you find a thread criticising TRP with 200 comments it will mean there's a problem
DrMrJrSr 5y ago
TRP: "Video games are cancer, brah"
Also TRP: "Anything is ok in moderation!"
YOU: "I DO WHAT THE FUCK I WANT BECAUSE I AM IN CONTROL AND AM GETTING MY SHIT DONE, SO FUCK YOU ALL AND HAVE A NICE DAY."
Zech4riah 5y ago
Corrected the title for you:
In moderation it is a great way to relieve stress etc.
spacedoutdad 5y ago
i dont play video games , but reality isnt all that great either. you mention picking up a book but thats just am escape from reality...
we all want to escape reality no one wants to face reality and every human has an escape whether its video games / drugs / sex / alcohol / work / relationships / working out it doesnt matter were all trying to escape this existence and everyone has different ways of doing it...
you say the real world is better? you need to take a closer look and realize all the shit going on around you...
MikeTyson91 5y ago
Nobody says you should read Harry Potter, m8.
ebaymasochist 5y ago
A lot of things in life fall into two categories: Empowering or not. Are you a more capable person in a week from now because you worked out today? Yes. Are you more powerful from playing video games? Maybe once or twice it sharpens your reflexes, but beyond that, I gotta say there are a lot of people giving themselves away to the games and getting very little in return.
RealisticKiwi 5y ago
I earn a great money in my country because WoW and other games taught me English and gave me tremendous motivation to learn even more this langague. Games can be waste of time or the best way to learn new things.
Philhelm 5y ago
That's a good point. Throughout the years I've learned a lot about history and geography from playing historical and war games.
Battagliare 5y ago
"but reality isnt all that great either."
Read my comment please.
spacedoutdad 5y ago
i did, yeah you can do those things but by reality i ment all the shitty things that happen
Battagliare 5y ago
I advise you to read Stoicism then. If you cant change it, dont even think about it. You are only responsible for your own actions and opinions.
KeffirLime 5y ago
There's plenty of joy, beauty and excitement to be derived from life, you simply have to notice it.
Lifting, improving, reading(non-fiction) etc are not escapes from reality, they're engaging with reality.
You're learning more, becoming more and then taking that version of yourself to the world.
When you go out to the world and live your life all sorts of incredible expierences come back at you, they won't all be great, in fact some will be terrible, but that's life. You live and you learn and you make tweaks so that next time it turns out better.
It's all about where you put your focus and attention, it saddens me that such a defeatist comment has been upvoted because there's so much out there once you stop letting it pass you by and you start getting stuck in.
celincelin 5y ago
Reading fiction is engaging with reality, since the wildest fantasies still originate in reality.
Fortnite_FaceBlaster 5y ago
There, fixed.
spacedoutdad 5y ago
you all seem to be still missing my point. sure you can have great experiences and sure you can have more time to go out if you played games less. BUT who are you too decide that your pursuit for happiness is better than someone elses.
you can have all these great experiences sure, but for what? everyones trying to fill this hole in their life that cant be filled whether you go sky diving or stay at home playing video games, the reasons are the same, pursuit of happiness, a distraction from reality.
the world is falling apart @ the seams, humans are destroying the earth, people are starving & suffering, humans torture / rape / & murder people every hour of every day. animals are going extinct at alarming rates. people are fighting wars over land on a small meaningless spec in the universe.
and what do people do about it? play video games, smoke, go to a club, meet some girls/guys, workout , jump out of planes, living their life ignoring whats happening around the world, im not saying one is a horrible person for doing this, its human nature to want to feel safe and be happy. but its unrealistic. whether you are a socialite or a recluse , both want to be happy and both will accept happiness the way they know how.
its 2 sides of the same coin dont act egotistical because you think your pursuit is more worthy than someone elses, we all just want to be happy & safe but happiness and safety look different to each person...
storm_spirit 5y ago
The problem is many people, especially ones who lack real experience, view their own personal truth as the one that everyone should live by because they've deluded themselves into believing that they have achieved happiness, but their vision remains skewed because they ignore the darker reality of humanity, of themselves, completely.
They're so wrapped up in their egos that they can't see the flood waters that are gathering around all of our feet. They see the surface level truth of this world, then leave it at that and use it to their advantage against the ones who can't see it at all (which is most people), but they're too afraid to delve further below because then they would be confronted by the void within themselves. Confronted with the fact that they are works of fiction themselves. They're still just children that are afraid of the dark engaging in illusions like the ones they're so quick to chastise.
KeffirLime 5y ago
The point is not that my pursuit of happiness is better than someone else's, it's that happiness is possible, how you get there is your own path.
The great experiences are because they are rich, they bring you joy, many experiences make up a life. Not everyone has a hole in their life, you're projecting, there's a need to progress and move forward but that's not an empty hole, thats a feature of human nature.
You've been watching way too much mainstream media, hunger is at it's low point in history, infact you're more likely to die if obesity for the first time in history, war is at it's lowest, life expectancy is at it's highest, violence is at it's lowest, according to stats were livng in the most peaceful prosperous time in history hence this post being about spending too much time playing video games and not about going off to die in a war, we just don't appreciate it because of mind sets like yours.
Your argument is basically, there's bad shit that happens, therefore happiness is simply filling a void from this bad shit.
Happiness is navigating life in any way you see fit to be prosperous for yourself, the world has issues, you can either deal with them or be miserable about them.
valourtore 5y ago
Don’t let anyone convince you that right now is not the best time to be living in human history.
Of course there are going to be inequalities and some peeps are going to suffer. Life has always been hard and will and should always be hard.
If video games are your obsession and you can profit/socialise/live within its confines then power to you but do not be surprised when people do look down upon you when you claim that that is your expertise and your obsession. It doesn’t have any actual benefits to society or yourself beyond “fun” and thus should be a pastime, not your mastery (unless you actually can make a good living off it).
spacedoutdad 5y ago
i dont play video games...!
KeffirLime 5y ago
Guy is literally able to spend all day everyday playing video games and jacking off instead of ploughing a field with his bare hands and then complains how terrible the world is right now...the entitlement.
RedderThanBlack 5y ago
Thank you for have a shepherd's mindset instead of a sheep. Appreciate you man.
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
So you've decided that how you think life should be lived is the best and other things such as pleasure are worthless. Just a question, do you use lube when you stroke your ego before splooging philosophical all over your posts?
KeffirLime 5y ago
My implication was that there's plenty of joy to be derived from life, which is not exactly a new or particularly unique concept, it's simply a matter of execution, which can take many forms.
Not sure how you managed to make the leap that pleasure is worthless.
And no, I prefer rubbing dry.
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
Whether you are "engaging with reality" or not makes no difference, and is completely opinable to what constitutes as engaging with reality.
KeffirLime 5y ago
it makes a huge difference.
Agreed opinable, but in the context of this post where video games, social media, reading a fiction book constitute escapes, engaging would be not interacting with any device(phone, computer, book) that takes your attention away from the present moment.
Organic experiences essentially.
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
The world is both good and bad. I've seen some shit and trust I know how people are to each other when the chips are down.
Doesn't matter. In fact I'm fairly surprised by your position.
An Ugly Truth is better than a Beautiful Lie. Escapism is for the men who cannot forge a bountiful path for themselves.. or who could, maybe even did, but are so broken that it's not enough.
Seeking happiness, even short term pleasure is normal as fuck. But there's an important difference between seeking "a few hours happiness in video games" and seeking true fulfillment and happiness through that medium as one of your primary vehicles in life.
Same could be said about what you mentioned - sex, drugs, etc. A little bit can be value added. Letting the thing use you or become your "Thing" is putting it on the pedestal and asking it to destroy you. Sound familiar?
I'm talking about the latter. Basically I'm advocating balance in the pursuit of hedonism, but video games in my opinion are a very poor choice to seek out your happy place. Most people pick them not because they are superior but because they are easy, safe, and sheltered from the Real World.
spacedoutdad 5y ago
hedonism and balance cant even be in the same sentence...
how are videogames a poor choice ? it might be a poor choice to you but to other its a great one. whats wrong with wanting something easy/safe/sheltered
everyone’s pursuit of happiness is different, just because your pursuit doesnt involve video games doesnt mean its superior. you use other things to forget about the shitty existence we live...
what exactly do you mean by “escapism is for men who cant forge their own path” ??
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
Video games a poor choice for me RIGHT NOW.
When I'm 65, retired having lived my best life & can afford Matrix style VR tech I be back in the Game most likely.
'Poor Choice' because we here generally are looking for he Hard Path that leads to adding value, creating strength, and enriching our lives through status, game, all of it. At least I know that's what I'm doing.
Seeking safety and comfort through a video game is the antithesis of those pursuits.
And no, I'm not trying to forget about our shitty existence. I'm trying to make my existence not shitty. One of the ways I've done that has been to forgo the shelter of things that are easy and safe, while actually creating severe negatives like addiction or social isolation, and learn to trust myself in the real world so that I can go out and live in it and STILL FEEL LIKE ITS EASY & SAFE.
Of course you are never really safe and sometimes it's not easy at all, but gorging yourself on video games does not change that truth in any way.
Escapism is what your lizard brain ends up wanting when it is not convinced that you are or can succeed with not escaping. It's running from the real problems.
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
Adding value? Creating strength? Is this theredpill or marketingconsultantssellingbusinesscourses? What about promoting sinergy, micromanaging,sending some faxes? No mention of putting services on the cloud and blockchain for improved value and customer retention?
spacedoutdad 5y ago
as i stated everyone is trying to escape. even your pursuit for a better life is a form of escape. i dont think we’ll convince eachother otherwise, so i wont respond anymore but hope it goes well for you mate
valourtore 5y ago
I disagree with everyone is trying to escape.
Escape here meaning that you are “running from your reality because it hurts and you can’t face it” : video games.
You have framed “escape” as “doing anything for any reason”, which of course would have both video games and your occupation, lifting and socialising in real life under the same umbrella.
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TitusBjarni 5y ago
My problem with video games is that it locks you into a fake world for hours at a time. When I come out of a video game session, I feel shitty.
CHAD_J_THUNDERCOCK 5y ago
Video games are an excellent non-addictive source of dopamine.
Use them selectively when depressed / overcoming addiction.
But they are a short term fix. Don't play long term.
1DGL 5y ago
next step, quit the internet
WatchMeGet1MillSubs 5y ago
Good. What are your views on playing video games for a living? (like Youtube/Twitch)
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
As long as you are building real value out of it do what you want. I'd say the same thing if you were some kind of Porn Critic that somehow got paid to fap or watch clips.
The 0.1% of people making a living / building themselves up as a mover & shaker / Apex / creator in gaming are excluded.
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DemolitionMech 5y ago
I like to use the term ‘video games should be commercial breaks to the awesome parts of your life’. But yeah I pretty much agree with this.
Managicall 5y ago
I've met every woman I have ever been with from porn and gaming... Hipster posts are weird because you all just going to do it anyway. This procrastination is because you are all so damn basic with your heads firmly stuck in the past. Its not exactly gay, but its full of such woeful ignorance that it minds well be so.
throwaway46819 5y ago
I'm genuinely curious, how did you meet women through porn? Gaming I get, but I don't see porn as being as much of a social activity lol
Managicall 5y ago
Mostly through artistic endeavors such as fan fiction, cosplay, chat, selling erotic props and merchandise etc. If you can tie a knot then you should have no problem. Gaming on the other hand is mostly for swingers unless you gamify your approach and play more romantic titles. If you have any experience as a game master/host it helps. Lets just say I spent more time in the character creation than the actual game itself.
throwaway46819 5y ago
This! Any recommendations for games with fun character creators?
gabeangelo 5y ago
Pffft, it seems that you're completely oblivious to the numerous benefits that numerous studies have demonstrated that videogames provide, something that porn doesn't have the luxury to have.
You say that "it wastes time", but it depends on the type of videogame you're playing, there's a HUGE difference between playing Flappy Bird than playing Age of Empires. And if it takes "too much time" (like more than 1.5 hours per day), then you may be talking about ADDICTION.
clon3man 5y ago
This doesn't apply to everyone. I can't speak for everyone but I'm perfectly content wasting my life away without video games or pornography. This is why all these movements about "lifting", "nofap" etc. all over-reaching virtue signaling in many cases.
You need to figure out what causes you to not have any motivation to pursue your goals, period. Everyone fixating on porn or videogames does no help to someone's whos already built a lifetime of avoidance coping, he'll just move on to something else.
These are not solutions. You need better reasons to get out of bed, not removing the bad reasons why you get out of bed.
You wanna quit wasting time? Go on a long trip. See a therapist about why you don't have good goals and why you're wasting time. Make a bunch of appointments to try some new shit. Make a list of all the reasons why you want to do nothing and then write down all the reasons why, then make a schedule around fixing each thing. Pick up the phone and have a 1 on 1 at a bar, about where your life is going with someone who doesn't know you that well.
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Don't you fucking think giving up 1 hour per day of videogames and 5 minutes of porn is gonna do fuck all to change your life.
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throwaway46819 5y ago
I do think porn causes more problems than just the time you've wasted (for me, I feel a lot less energised after it, I never feel good after it).
But I agree, in terms of time wasted, spending time on reddit or any other website is a huge timesink for me, much larger than porn or anything else.
VinterBot 5y ago
Exactly. When I started limiting my video game consumption I simply replaced it with TV series. Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Stargate, I binge watched them all instead of playing. In the end even though video games are designed specifically to simulate defeating challenges, the core problem doesn't lie with it, or weed for that matter, but in one's unfulfilling life. That's why when one starts to lift, make money, fuck bitches, and be generally successful that one stops wasting time on bullshit dopamine dispenser.
1DGL 5y ago
why you were not self aware enough to realize that you replaced your unhealthy habit with another unhealthy habit though?
VinterBot 5y ago
Hindsight is always 20/20.
I guess I was in too deep the shit was coming up to my eyes.
TheGweatandTewwible 5y ago
That's a really good point. Video game/porn/weed addiction is all a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself. You can quit any of those but your mind will find another way to express that addiction.
1DGL 5y ago
no it wont dude, only if you let it,
TheGweatandTewwible 5y ago
I mean, sure. Most people don't have that self-awareness to stop it in its tracks, though
1DGL 5y ago
for sure, look at us, debating nonsense on reddit, not exactly productive behaviour. Im just saying, you cant shy away from dropping bad habits with the excuse "aww ill just replace it with something else unhealthy anyway".
civilizedfrog 5y ago
"Idle mind is the devil's workshop"
Playing videogames is not the problem. I play an hour or two every week. The problem is when you make playing videogames a major part of your daily routine. Like everything in life, it needs to be done in moderation. Modern life has become so convenient that now he has the option of just sitting on his couch and play games whilegetting his food delivered home. The number of men falling for this is increasing and it is a sad sight to see.
billsmashole 5y ago
I agree, video games keep you focused on fake goals and fake activities. Sure they're fun, but they aren't productive. The only reason you should play them is if you have the will to stop playing after an hour.
I_Have_Standardss 5y ago
Moderate, and learn to have a bit of fun
Not everything has to be productive, if it's my own time and i've done everything productive i want to do like going to the gym, i'm gonna do what i want
billsmashole 5y ago
That's cool for you, I'm not telling you how to live. I'm just giving my opinion. I'd rather do something real. But yeah, I relax and watch tv.
lieutenantdonut 5y ago
Unless you play Dark Souls.
No instant gratification there. Perfect "fuck you" analogy to real life.
Selentest 5y ago
Except it's even more addicting and mind-altering than your average game. No wonder most gamers think it ruined other titles for them.
Frenetic_Zetetic 5y ago
Moderation is key...and most people CANNOT FUCKING MODERATE their behavior.
OP is correct. Diminish dopamine robbing behaviors, stop trying to defend them. Watch your life improve.
SwoleBenji 5y ago
Every now and then a post rolls around how video games are bad. Yeah, no shit.
They're bad unless you monetize them through ad revenue, maybe RMT the in-game currency and make a huge killing, or other such virtual services.
Run a 300k sub channel and you'll get regulars that drop by your stream to dump an easy $80 minimum for a 15 minute game of Starcraft. Hawk some hypebeast merch at them for another huge chunk of cash, get sponsors for random shit like Blue Apron and NordVPN for even more revenue.
It's not hard. Just talk about how shitty your retail job was and paste it over some video game footage.
Honestly you can just search youtube for whatever game you want to dub and filter "creative commons" then straight up use their footage if you really don't want to play any vidya.
Easy figures for non-rockstar levels of gamers: Local tournaments (Tekken 4, Halo 2, Cal-I for CS 1.6) ran about 1-2k avg a month. So basically today's min-wage.
RMT for Runescape and WoW. $60k / yr. First year of WoW if you really wanted to you could make an avg of $60 an hour when the price of gold was 1 gold / $1.
Youtube ad revenue: 300k subs which meant videos got an avg of only 30k views each was about $30 a video (for me) but if it was advertiser friendly it'd be 5x that. Doing anywhere from 2-7 videos a week it adds up quickly.
Merch sales: About 1-2k a month on avg. Not a lot but it was something.
Sponsors ranged from $500 - 5k a month depending on who wanted what. More during holidays and less at the start of the year.
I made a custom script for World of Warcraft that would invite every single person on a server to a guild. I'd buy 20 copies of the game, go to each high populated server, and create massive zerg guilds where people would freely "donate" their items and gold. I'd then sell everything, and even sell ownership of the guild for more currency or even $. My biggest sale was a 1000 member guild all active within 3 days (or kick) on the highest populated server. Went for $5k and all I did was run a script and set an autoit macro to shoot it off every 30 minutes while I did shit in the real world.
I'll agree. People that play video games for an arbitrary "Elo / Rating" who aren't making any money or plan to go professional (Which these days is too big of a time sink to even consider) are being consumerists AKA betas. But those that know how to sell and make huge profits are not consuming so much as they are profiteering.
Any time a new game comes out I ask "Can I make money off this?" if the answer is "No." then I don't fucking play it. Simple.
dongpal 5y ago
you know that 99% of gamers are consumerists and not people trying to earn money with it? hell, people throw money at it to consume even more.
Aroundwork 5y ago
What does RMT stand for here?
And yeah see my comment below -- I've had an addictive relationship with gaming in the past and understood how to overcome it and quit it cold turkey (just like juul or any other addictive substance) but the problem for me is that I feel a large sunk cost having played these competitive e-sports titles for a long time, and I'm attracted to the Twitch Streaming ideal of becoming famous for streaming. I watch streamers, both the mega-popular ones like Shroud & Ninja but even ones who make a simple living and have decent followings, and am confident that I could do that.
With my day-job which pays well though I'm so torn between pursuing my "passion" or just abandoning it and trying to go back down the finance route. I'm also looking into a more hybrid of the two, trying to get into the gaming industry at a more corporate level and going from there.
SwoleBenji 5y ago
Real money trades. Buying or selling virtual assets for real money.
DoodleNutz 5y ago
Big respect to you man! Good job.
Strip_Bar 5y ago
Jesus Christ, learn to regulate your behaviors. Porn has never been a big deal for me and neither has video games. I seriously don’t get it.
TheGweatandTewwible 5y ago
I mean, who said most people play 30 hours a week?
I get where you're coming from OP but I think this only applies to people with addiction to video games. Every now and then craving a bit of mindless fun isn't bad. I still very much enjoy reading and all that other shit.
What I do is I reward myself after doing the actual work by playing a bit. Sure I could be working even more but I if I feel I did enough work for the day, I'll take a break no questions asked.
Metal_Charizard 5y ago
"Maybe you don't talk to that girl because - well - you haven't saved her yet. Isn't that how it works?"
You make some decent points, but lines like this jump out at me as just plain retarded and reminiscent of that Law and Order episode inspired by Gamergate.
[deleted] 5y ago
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AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
Never played Mass Effect apparently.
Relaxe_m80 5y ago
I mean, the most important thing for me would be the sense of tribe that comes along with playing with mates. I know that monk mode idolizes a very solitary mode of improvement, but online team-based games with friends is often a great way to build a sense of tribe.
It has nothing to do with women, and OP is suggesting that you give it up for better experiences in bed. That's literally giving up fun, social experiences for the sake of women. That's extremely bluepill.
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
For fucks sake no.
The problem is the sense of tribe you are describing isn't "real". It rarely results in anything happening in the real world. I say this as someone who still has lifelong friends from gaming I actually visit in person.
So instead of building a tribe with some homies you can actually go do something with, who invite you places or enrich your experiences or introduce you to people or show up to help you move you've got homies who help you minmax your K/D ratio and talk about how their wife is going out on Friday for "girls night".
You are proving my point. Yes you can simulate building that tribe with your guild or whatever. But it isn't real. It's fake. A wasted effort that could have been spent making real friends.
At the very best you can run a social game meet people who don't live where you do, sort of like a Craigslist online shopping for friends. But if that sounds like the efficient way to make friends I'm not sure I can say anything else to help you.
Nowhere in this equation did pussy show up. Unless I'm missing some part of my OP.
Coincidentally though living in the real world and focusing your effort there is going to result in pussy. Can't be helped.
krym33 5y ago
Watching series on netflix is a waste of time, watching tv is a waste of time, everything is a waste of time that is not for your objectives.
Key word is moderation. No one, absolutely no one takes out entertainment away and be happy for the rest of his life. Some people play games because its their job, or is what they want to work with.
There was a guy on youtube some time ago saying that games are shit and you should not play them, and there was he, with a baseball bat from the walking dead series. Hypocrisy at its best.
Porn is not the problem, masturbation is the problem. If you buy a sex doll, flesh light or something like that, is the same thing as masturbation, you don't need no one to help you, and its easy.
dongpal 5y ago
lmao it's the other way around noob
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krym33 5y ago
oh, tell me why its the other way around, why would a movie be the problem? If you only watch porn and don't masturbate what you get there? Is it pleasure? Pleasure to watch someone one fuck someone? That's one fuckedup mind sir.
dongpal 5y ago
it's obvious that it's meant to be porn+fap or just fap. if you betacuck yourself with just watching others fuck and you condition yourself to do nothing when you see a hot woman or see people fucking then I gotta tell you that you have some other problems lmao
krym33 5y ago
hold on, what the fuck, are you even reading what you are writing?
" it's obvious that it's meant to be porn+fap or just fap. "
" Porn is not the problem, masturbation is the problem. "
I'm not going to keep answering this bullshit.
dongpal 5y ago
no one just watches porn without doing anything.and even then I still say its more damaging than just to jerk off
1DGL 5y ago
ITT: people who dont understand dopamine
[deleted] 5y ago
I don't buy into the whole x, y or z is bad idea.
However, for everything I do, I like to ask myself a question. If I was successful, happy, healthy and fulfilled in every aspect of my life, would this activity br a part of my life?
Now, it so happens that, with video games, the answer is yes - occasionally. I like to experience things in games that I cannot realistically hope to experience in real-life. I like sci-fi/fantasy games like Mass Effect, or The Witcher. Using some of your downtime to play the odd game isn't a terrible thing. World-class athletes play sports games, successful writers have been known to be big gamers. But games are not the focal point of their lives, they're a compliment to it.
Contrast this with porn, and I think you'll see the difference. Ask any man who masturbates to porn if that is really something that contributes to a healthy life, if he really would rather be watching porn over all else. Find me the man who hasn't experienced the desperate, ashamed clarity that follows post-orgasm, and he'll be a Saint, a Monk, or a liar.
You can play video games, sometimes. If playing video games is consuming a significant amount of your life, and having a detrimental effect on your health, life, and relationships, you have a problem.
sorryforthelifestory 5y ago
You can watch porn, sometimes. If watching porn is consuming a significant amount of your life, and having a detrimental effect on your health, life, and relationships, you have a problem.
philltered 5y ago
This. I appreciate OP for writing this but a game can be a hobby. It's much easier to sink hours and get addicted. One got to be self-aware and prioritize it.
Imperator_Red 5y ago
Video games are worthless dopamine hits just like weed. Men want to accomplish important tasks. We want to be part of a team. We want to vanquish our enemies. Video games trick your brain into thinking you actually did these things. It's no different than a drug.
thesquarerootof1 5y ago
What you said here is really damn true and why I don't play video games anymore. I use to play tons and tons of video games but it made me realize that I was tricking my brain into thinking that I'm accomplishing something when I wasn't, like getting 100 sneak skill in Skyrim for example. It's fake accomplishments.
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
Right. Let's start a russia-europe-usa war! To the victor the spoils!
Imperator_Red 5y ago
huh
VinterBot 5y ago
Defeating a challenge doesn't necesseraly mean killing people, for fucks sake.
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
"We want to vanquish our enemies"
1DGL 5y ago
youre such a salty nerd dude, even i know video games are useless waste of time and i have 10k hours throughtout my life on them.
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
Waste of time? Life is a waste of time dude lol
1DGL 5y ago
alleviating suffering is not a waste of time as the only thing that is real is pain. video games are an escape which compounds suffering over time. but you do you.
GentleShmebulock 5y ago
Video games are designed to give you artificial pleasure and a fake sense of accomplishment. By messing up your brain chemistry and dopamine circuits they'll make you less disciplined, more tired and more hesitant to approach/fuck women.
Am glad for you that you quit
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
You tried to make a point but your own definition deeated your own purpose
RedderThanBlack 5y ago
Elaborate?
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
You try to set up videogames as being bad because it will make you worse at approaching women, yet you also say that they will make you not care about them, so...
RedderThanBlack 5y ago
Yeah that's what I thought. Not a single sound statement relating to accuracy of context within the scope of what we're discussing. In other words provide a coherent response as to why he defeated his point.
Or just say you love video games.
AllahHatesFags 5y ago
I don't play as many games as I used to. Now I just play old emulated games (SNES, GBA, etc. no micro-transaction or online play bullshit) on my cell phone occasionally while I'm waiting around for something but that's it.
Philhelm 5y ago
I ended up moving on to miniature wargaming. I rarely actually play any games since I'm usually too busy, but I'm a night owl so occasionally spend an hour or two modelling while everyone is asleep. I usually put on a movie for some ambience, but it feels like a better way to waste time and unwind since at least I'm producing something tangible.
AllahHatesFags 5y ago
I'm guessing you are talking about Warhammer 40K or something like that? Still better than World of Tardcraft or whatever steaming pile of online microtransaction bullshit EA puts out nowadays.
Philhelm 5y ago
Something like that. I went smaller scale (as in model count) with Frostgrave. I like the craftsmanship involved, especially with terrain building. It's satisfying to complete a project even if it's just for a leisure activity, as opposed to watching a movie or playing a video game, etc., and having nothing.
It also forces me to work with a variety of tools. My wife and I purchased our first house, which closes within two weeks. We discussed installing vinyl flooring (faux wood) in the basement. The employee at Home Depot said that I can cut the end pieces with a straight edge and a utility knife. Despite knowing fuck-all about home improvement, I told my wife that I can do that.
TRPmc117 5y ago
Lol, another video game hit piece from someone who was unable to moderate their obsession. Video games aren't inherently bad just because you lacked the mental fortitude from stopping them from becoming an addiction.
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Everybody needs downtime. Video games are a much better way to unwind than television, as they actually have cognitive benefits. You can live a real life, be successful in your career and with women and generally be a top-tier human and still play some video games. Just use moderation.
I_Have_Standardss 5y ago
I disagree
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This is just your experience with it
I manage to play videogames, keep a girlfriend, have all the time i want to with friends and family, go to the gym, play sport, hobbies etc. just because i moderate it and don't take it to the extremes that you do
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If you can have the fun, moderate it, and don't waste your life away on them, there's nothing wrong with them mate
toker420blaze 5y ago
Needed this OP. Was slipping back into beta cuckery and almost stopped going to the gym to play Apex with my buddies. Almost...
clavabot 5y ago
You're not wrong, Anything that wastes time, should be removed, (Easy Dopimine: Movies, Music, Porn, Weed, Games, Mental masterbation etc)or minimized.
I would argue however, people go through phases of Expansion and contraction, if you come back form a long week of killing it at life (LIfting, working hard, studying, Talking to vagina people, etc) The you sould relax with a good bubble bath, a few hours or so of gaming, a move, some weed, etc.
Expand, then contract and recover, and repeat that cycle. When One gets to far out of control, you risk the burnout, or the stagnation.
TRPmc117 5y ago
Avoiding music because it releases dopamine. The absolute state of TRP.
BelialLedah 5y ago
Not for nothing many say this sub is the larp pill. Only good part of the sub is the content, not these shitty posts.
Battagliare 5y ago
It starts to become autistic at this phase.
[deleted] 5y ago
If you recognize it’s wrong, why would you be in that position.
JuicySosa300 5y ago
I highly disagree with avoiding tv, movies, weed, and music. If you're living a fairly average life (not doing awesome shit all the time because you're in university or something and don't have time/money), these are good things to talk about and do to make new friends. Weed is controversial but smoking here and there made me a ton of friends quickly which provides major social proof
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
You should also eat only protein powder and vitamins. No tv, no porn, no games.
Only work work work exercise exercise. LIKE A REAAAL MAAAANNNN.
What a life worth living!
So that's an average day for you then? (No doubt)
You chop your balls off and die? (Hell yeah)
And I think at uhh one point there
You said something about sucking your own dick (nope)
Actually I'm pretty sure you did (nah that ain't me)
sorryforthelifestory 5y ago
Lol you don’t have to be a Puritan to realize that video games are in 99.9% objectively a waste of your time. But they’re fun and it’s not like anything really matters so just go ahead and play them.
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
Waste of time? As if anything was useful or meaningful in the end?
sorryforthelifestory 5y ago
Yes you correctly interpreted my words, thank you it means a lot.
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dongpal 5y ago
are you retarded or something? doing the hard things is already an accomplishment in itself so that it's already worth living by. you dont need to search for the joy in something else and ask if its worth living.
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
must be amazing to be king with such coping enthusiastically voluntarily self-deluded servants eager to work for you
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dongpal 5y ago
you really have no real life experience lmao
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_A_L_3_X_ 5y ago
most people who played video games in their childhood & teens grow out of it, so its not a real threat.
misls 5y ago
I haven't touched games for more than 30 minutes a week collectively for about 6 months now. I have no need or desire to play them either, I have much more free time to go and do what I want.
ya_stepdaddy 5y ago
It’s crazy how the desire to play them just goes away. Have you been projecting your energy on anything creative? Or any new skills? I’ve found myself reading and listening to books and producing beats that people actually want to buy from me.
TheH1dd3nFear 5y ago
Video games tend to take in a lot of mental energy for me these days.
misls 5y ago
I dropped out of Uni (computing science) and started working as a plumber. I needed a change of scenery and working a hard labour job worked magic for me. I’m usually tired as fuck and I get home, I’ll hit the gym if it’s workout day and I’ll go home shower and chill out with my buddies. At the moment I’m not really doing anything else but that’ll change, I’m pretty early in my journey right now. I haven’t touched my PC for like 2 weeks now, once you start living in reality, you get this sense of hatred from doing inefficient shit like playing games, for me it brings me back to a depressive state so I know to avoid it.
altiro15 5y ago
I do hard labor too and i love it so much more now than being trapped in 4 walls with a bunch of women and drama. Working with other women have never been a good thing for me since i end up hooking up with one of them and drama starts up but now that i work around grown ass men with their shit together and work hard as fuck im much happier now and have learned from them a lot
_Anarchon_ 5y ago
Humans have always partook in entertainment, puzzles, and competition. Modern gaming is just an extension of any or all of these aspects. It can be argued that there are positive aspects to all of them. As with most things, the danger lies in lack of moderation...gaming to extremes. You'd probably not tell a man that plays chess from time to time that he's losing his drive. I can tell you that he's exercising his mind, and that it will benefit his life in many ways. Computer gaming can be no different, so you're wrong here. It sounds like you have an obsessive/compulsive personality disorder. You're problems are going to surface in other ways...the computer was never your real problem, just how it manifested itself.
TheImpossible1 5y ago
Playing a game = Entertainment, one of the few industries not controlled fully by women and their sympathisers.
Getting married = Selling your soul to human garbage with worse value loss than a used Alfa Romeo.
Not sure I understand the comparison.
In the end of the day, the world fucking hates us for existing. I don't blame people who go into escapism.
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JohnIan101 5y ago
Moderation is what is needed.
Just that - too much of anything is a negative; games, porn, drinking, eating, gambling, drugs... fill in the blank.
The thing/object isn't the problem, it's you.
surfingjesus 5y ago
Ok dad don't you have some Fox News to catch up on?
magx01 5y ago
I played Prey (2017) for ten hours straight yesterday. Was fun as hell. I also practiced my drumming, worked out, took my dog hiking for two hours and went skating in the back (I built a backyard rink). It was also the first day all week I played a video game for more than two hours.
It's all about balance.
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raggot_the_legendary 5y ago
If it's about avoiding easy wins and 3 years traps (lol) just play rocket league and control yourself. Sometimes these posts really go too far... also throwing marriage in there in a line was lame.
BurnoutRS 5y ago
Life is fraught with difficult questions. It seems to me that in an attempt to gain answers to these questions, we often look outside ourselves.
There are many outlets through which you can "attempt to gain life experience" without actually gaining life experience.
Ask yourself if at some point you began referring to television, video games, etc. to try to learn more about the real world, and then found yourself sucked into a world that seemed to offer more than the one you were trying to understand in the first place.
I recall telling myself that all the porn I watched was just experience. It was all practice. Theory work, just like in school. By the time you cross that line, you may not even realize that youre telling yourself you are practising for pussy that you are never going to get. You may never realize that the porn and the lies, now, are the only thing preventing you from the crippling realization that you have let yourself become worthless
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
I have managed to create value through video games, but I would not recommend it as the optimal path for any of my fellows.
I founded a gaming community which gave me leadership, marketing and what I can only describe as "Sheriff & Executioner" experience. Really valuable. Spent about 6 months on it.
Also the competition. The willingness & ability to lose over and over and over until you're finally better than the other guy and thriving off that dopamine hit and victory.
This is basically my point though. If I had spent 6 months building a real-life community and it was even half as successful, instead of a virtual one, I'd be set.
I have managed to translate my Gamer zen to real life for the most part so that's a win, but for anyone who hasn't Gaming can hijack that winner circle attitude easy.
TL;DR
It may be better than nothing, but any value extracted from Vidya is probably better acquired somewhere else. Better bang for your buck.
nsfwalt900 5y ago
I think I’m addicted to RuneScape. I don’t actively play it, I sort of just “monitor” it on my other screen whenever I am reading something or watching YouTube. I like “unlocking” things.
sayajii 5y ago
Totally forgetting what I'd started. Gotta get back to it.. this time sticking to it
celincelin 5y ago
So, you don’t have much will power, now what?
n8dawwg 5y ago
Good stuff here. Need to add sports to the list. Another thing that is a waste of time that accomplishes nothing /s
gorebwn 5y ago
have you played apex legends though?
​
..but seriously. I don't think any of us would say that in the 50's when dudes went to bars, drank whiskey, smoked cigars, and played cards together after working in the steel mill for 10 hours that they were wasting their potential, or spoiling their drive. Would you?
To me, in 2019, I often play with some of my bros that I've known my whole life, and some bros I've met online. In my mind, I view this interaction as no more or less as the futuristic equivalent of "playing cards with the guys" after a long day at work, followed by the gym, to unwind and get some tribe time in.
I think "social gaming" and "gaming because you're on a binge" are two different things and should be treated as such. Everything in moderation, I don't think gaming is an exception at all.
boxxybebe 5y ago
I just deleted all the games I play after reading this post. You made a change in my life.
Fortnite_FaceBlaster 5y ago
Hah, I admit porn could be bad, not sure.. but video games are awesome!
Sorry but, video games help you with critical thinking skills, hand to eye coordination, socialization.. and many more benefits.
Just because YOU felt like sitting around, doing drugs and nothing but gaming without getting anywhere in life, doesn't mean the REST of the population will be doing the same.
I'm successful in my career and have plenty of time to have LOADS of fun with gaming.
I see these "video game are bad" posts often in TRP, and it's disturbing. No, they are not bad. Your bad experience doesn't equate to all.
Unlucky_Leader 5y ago
the spliting point for me is community.
games played online can be done with others.
Which is unfortunate that society is like that, but it's the way it is.
You might say, well you should be the one who is not playing, and hangs around big ballers, and big spenders.
But, 1) there aren't enough spots for this to happen 2) some don't have the ambition
TL;DR: you can't watch porn with others, you can play video games
Bluedog5x5 5y ago
What if your trying to grow a YouTube channel or twitch with gaming?
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Bartand 5y ago
wasting money on women is wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mallardcove Endorsed Contributor 5y ago
My parents didn't let me have video games when I was growing up. They got me a Gameboy, and that was it.
I think this helped immensely, since I wasn't raised on video games. I had to find other ways to entertain myself as a kid which in turn led to more productive pursuits.
When I turned 16 my parents let me buy a Game Cube with my own money. Even though I had one, I wasn't a huge gamer.
I think your post is partially true. I have a Nintendo Switch and play it occassionally. But its just something I do every now and then. It's fine in moderation, especially if you have a productive life with a solid income and social life and hobbies. The issue is your stereotypical video game neckbeard type. Those guys have problems since their lives revolve around video games and it cuts into their earning potential, social life and productivity.
clavabot 5y ago
Damn I remember my first Gameboy, shit got me hooked tho ;-;. Looking back on my life if my dad never got me that thing, I wonder where I might be.
PEACE-ImOut 5y ago
I've always had video games. I only use them as a social tool. I never played games on story mode or by myself.
It's great as a way to keep in touch with old friends (who live hundreds of miles away) once a month. I also like to ride an exercise bike while playing as a compromise.
Wii bowling is great for after parties and plausible deniability.
VirtualBostonian 5y ago
I believe video games can be harmful for some and wouldn’t have an effect for some. There is a divisiveness on this topic which I understand. I think a person should figure out himself if video games are hurting him or not. I think people here at TRP should be able to make that distinction. I play an hour everyday, and I cut down my gaming hugely. But I believe it still hurts me. Whenever I have extra time, I may end up gaming. Instead I should be reading a book or practicing guitar. I will actually delete my games now. This post just made me realize that I may have a problem with video games still.
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
See this is me too. It's a simple calculation.
"I could learn guitar" I've literally had one sitting around for 2 years since Christmas 2017.
"I could do XYZ" and in your brain your thinking yeah, let's do that, I want the rewards and experience of doing that.
But you don't. Instead you say, "that was a long hard day and I'm just gonna game".
And a big part of that is the dopamine wiring. It's chemical. Your brain is telling you that guitar is boring and not valuable compared to a video game.
You take away that seductive bitch mistress called video games and then you have a big empty space where it used to be. And your brain, being awesome as it is, says:
"Whelp I'm bored now. I want to conquer the Galaxy or something but no more PC huh? Ok boss how about that new keto diet instead. Oh look at that a giant dopamine hit. Wait my questing is in the real world now? Feels weird. Wait you mean completing real world quests leads to real world rewards? FUCK THOSE GAMES"
VirtualBostonian 5y ago
Some people gets mad on your post but I understand your reasoning exactly. Because I have the same effect like you mentioned in this comment. “I had a long day, let me game a little” . Thanks for the post, hope it will help some people.
[deleted] 5y ago
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AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
Even musicians who don't make alot of money still tour, play shows in front of audiences, make friends amongst the music scene, frequent concerts, and of course pull pussy.
Specially if you the front man on guitar.
There are just metric fucktons of nerds up in this thread trying to argue with a nerd about how Vidya is fine.
Ok, it's fine. GL HF bro. I'll be out here playing the Real Game. I'll say hi to your wife for girls night this Friday too.
setsuna0 5y ago
I'll keep it real with you chief. I am not quitting. Why? Because they've been there for me in dark times like on a plane or in a hospital.
But I agree with many of your points. An hour a day won't hurt. I think you definitely should log and monitor your time.
TornadoCreator 5y ago
This is a pathetic attempt at projection and nothing more. You latch on to The Red Pill in this post like it's fucking magic, as if it's almost your religion and that's scary frankly. Sure develop a sense of positive masculinity, make sure you're not being taken advantage off, reject the current politically correct identity politics obsessed victim culture and make yourself personally responsible for your life but don't be such a fucking douche-canoe about it.
Seriously, this nonsense - "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", No you fucking DON'T! If you think you do you're delusional. You set goals, achieve personal objectives, meet new people, learn new skills... but you don't explore mysterious new realms and you certainly don't slay any fucking dragons.
This entire post is nothing more than some sad act looking for something to blame for not achieving anything in his life. "It wasn't my fault I was addicted to video games". Guess what, that IS your fault.
Video games are art. You use art for self expression and entertainment. It's no different than watching a film, reading a book, or listening to music. If you do it to the exclusion of everything else in your life you're a sad and pathetic person who probably leads a very boring life; but in moderation it's fine and if it's a passion of yours and you choose to devote your life to it, that's fine too.
One thing The Red Pill badly needs to learn is "getting ripped", acquiring wealth, and fucking as many women as you can, is not the meaning of life. It's stuff you can do in your life. If you want to be healthy, wealthy, and sexually fulfilled, those are entirely understandable and decent goals; but if you judge your self-worth on the size of your muscles, the contents of your bank account, or the number of holes you've put your penis into you've got a fucking problem.
I judge my self-worth based on who I am as a person. Do I feel fulfilled? Do I have a sense of self-actualisation? Am I having fun? Am I happy? These are far more important, and frankly, I'd rather spend my time on video games than almost anything else. I love my video games, they're a means of expressing myself, enjoying myself, engaging with my social circle, and keeping my mind active. I've been playing video games for almost 3 decades, and I've easily spent 15,000 hours on video games in that time. It works out to an average of around 10 hours per week every week since I was 4 years old and I don't regret a minute of it. Sure, I could have done other stuff with that time... but to what end? To make me feel happy and fulfilled. Playing those games makes me feel happy and fulfilled.
In future, rather than blaming entertainment media for your shortcomings, question what it is you actually want in life and why you don't have it. They question why you want that shit in the first place. I mean sure; I'd love to be rich, famous, and shagging Victoria Justice right now... but would I really? Sure it'd be awesome to fuck Victoria Justice, but after 3-4 times she'd just be like any other woman. The novelty would soon fade. Sure the money would be cool, I could go anywhere and do anything... but where would I want to go? I live in one of the most technologically advanced and safest countries on the planet, I have a nice house, all the food I can eat, all the entertainment I could want (TV, music, video games, etc. access to a cinema, gym, and pool within 10 minutes of me, multiple restaurants), and I have just enough disposable income that I can pretty much do what I want anyway as it is. So why would I want to travel? To "see the world"? Why? What's so fucking special about it. Oooh the Grand Canyon, a big fucking hole. Ooooh the Taj Mahal, a huge impractical palace. Oooooh Mount Everest, a really big goddamn hill. Really? What is the goddamn point? Even fame isn't worth a damn. Well done, you're famous... now you have no idea if anyone actually likes you as a person, or if they're just being nice because you're rich and famous and they want to benefit from you. How horrible would that be?
What I'm getting at is The Red Pill as a whole is a good resource, but don't presume it's the only thing that matters. Learn to exploit gender politics because sadly you have to nowadays thanks to feminism. Learn to set goals and achieve them, because that's a fundamentally good thing anyway. Learn to respect your body and your time, sure. Keeping fit and healthy is something I wish I had done as a younger man and something I probably don't spend enough time on now; but that's because I'm being lazy not because I'm playing too much vidya... One of the first principles you need to learn is to take personal responsibility. Stop blaming the video games, and stop patronising the people who enjoy that hobby. It's not beneath you, you're not better than me because I like to play video games. This isn't 1991 and it's not middle school. You're not the jock beating up the nerds. Hell, I'm likely bigger than you anyway, just like how I was bigger than the jocks back then; don't punch above your weight unless you expect a smackdown. Consider this your verbal smackdown. Stop blaming video games, stop patronising geek culture just because you think you're above it, take responsibility and grow up.
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LordMarkStark 5y ago
You can still play computer games dude. It's ok. But maybe you'd prefer doing other things which is ok too. You gotta mix life up.
BornShook 5y ago
Just be responsible. If youre constantly late for work because you stay up to 3am playing games, you obviously have a problem. I think anybody who’s got half a brain cell would be able to identify videogames as the problem in that case. Videogames arent inherently bad. Getting sick of seeing these posts, because the comments are the same every time. The top reply is always “Videogames are only bad if you play too much.”
OfficerWade 5y ago
I used Apex legends to get acclimated to being at home after working 60 hours last week and I probably only played for 45 minutes so I think its how you use it that counts which is super cliche. Porn has never been there for me though.
reddzeppelin 5y ago
It's a good post but, it reminds me a little of people at alcoholics anonymous meeting talking about alcohol. Alcohol is a huge problem sure, for the people who have a problem with it. There are people who don't game obsessively and who do no drink obsessively and for them it is not the Dragon you describe, but congratulations on slaying yours.
SoA_MC 5y ago
There’s nothing wrong with video games unless you’re only playing them because you’ve got fuck all else to do.
lbrownlbandit 5y ago
Feeling the same way lately, started working on pursuing goals to better my career and overtime I speak to someone it always feels like I'm speaking to an npc's to help me get to where I am going. And when I hit the gym I always feel like I'm just leveling up my strength. I dont know if this is weird or not; I dont care. It just feels so good to know that I'm leveling myself up. Kudos on cutting out gaming did the same a year ago but keep in mind once you feel comfortable without it, dont be a stickler it's okay to play cod with some friends here and there. Use it as a social lubricant more than anything
bakamoney 5y ago
All this and yet I see this sub (and others) supporting gear usage.... Because its oh so real and well deserved lmao
Shaman6624 5y ago
You're right ofcourse. Videogaming is like reality but simplified. Making it easier and much more straightforward to get from A to B gives us a way to feel that reward we crave in real life.
​
I am still a videogame addict. I do it because experimenting with psychedelics put me in a chronic bad trip sort of. It made interacting with reality really hard because I had permanent vivid negative intrusions about my identity. Gaming quites all that shit down. It gives me a way to still DO something. something that I know the rules of. Something that doesn't leave room for projection of negative thoughts.
​
Though it's gotten a lot better I still videogame now because my life has become a bit empty outside of gaming. I don't have other hobbies, I don't have a really active social circle. I don't travel. I'm still not really comfortable with public transport (it triggers the thoughts). I don't have a carreer. So now I have to build up my life again to pull me back into the real world instead of an artificial one. I use the famous rat park expiriment as a inspiration for that idea. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat\_Park
​
I've tried cold turkey quiting before but I just don't have anything else to do. So I want to do it more gradually and create more things to do for myself before I quit.
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
Rat Park is the end all be all answer to addiction so you are on the right track.
I've got other things in my life but only because I worked for it. I wasn't handed any kind of social circle and have nuked my fair share over time.
If you actually believe you are permatripping or whatever, see a psychiatrist. I've done plenty of psychadelics and have heard stories about it but never experienced it myself.
What I do experience is a sort of mild PTSD about taking drugs like that, not being in control/aware of the situation around me and not being able to take action if I need to because I'm too fucked up. I gave myself some bad memories that way.
Shaman6624 5y ago
Well it's not really a full on trip but it's triggered ocd like worrying. Yeah I've been seeing psychologist since 3 years. But ocd is chronic most of the time.
skrrtrr 5y ago
have you tried being ocd about good habits like going to the gym, eatiny healthy, not masturbating etc? I've been a fat slob my whole life but recently, after being sick with something, I quit those things and life is getting easier.
Good luck to you my friend.
frooschnate 5y ago
The longer you read this sub the more you think “why am I hanging around these losers stuck on these things I’m well past by”
moby18 5y ago
And while you’re at it take a cold shower too
rpjruh 5y ago
Video games aren’t bad if it’s in moderation. It’s pretty clear that people need something they enjoy in their lives to be more productive in their professional goals. If you play 12 hours a day, yeah that’s going to affect a few things in your life. Some people run, workout, read, paint or watch tv as a way to unwind. My mentor swears that he would’ve never been successful or achieved a doctorate if it wasn’t for his hobbies. He runs for an hour and watches one episode of Blacklist everyday. It helps him recenter himself. If video games are what does it for a person, don’t hate them for it. In moderation it’ll actually make their professional goals more achievable.
burnyr 5y ago
The way you explained why "vidja game bad" was some infomercial level type of shit. At the end of reading this post I'm just left with the feeling that you only picked this topic for dem ez likes and dat redpill clout.
NormalAndy 5y ago
If video games make you climax then yes, they are bad as porn, for you.
Otherwise, they are a lesser drug like many others. Don’t kid yourself.
Galbert123 5y ago
Agreed. They’re not at all on the same level, at least for me. It could and likely is different person to person.
NormalAndy 5y ago
As mentioned (ad nauseum) here, video games can sometimes have benefits. People on this sub telling you that 'the tribe' they create is not real are blind are blind to the communication benefits and group building opportunities the internet has brought us- including this sub and it's associations with 'gaming' women.
Games developers tend to be on the cutting edge and we definitely benefit from the crumbs they leave us.
Pornography on the other hand is just plain dangerous to the point of being a public health issue.
SoulRedemption 5y ago
I game, not religiously. I used to game sevreral hours a day. Ate into my sleep, time and what not. Wasted alot of time. Evenutally grew out of it. Do I still game? Yes I do. Sometimes I like to have a drink, game vent. Dopamine rush. Do I abuse it? No. I game with a few close friends from back in the day. They stick to timelines, prioritize their life over gaming. There is another bunch of friends who game (different game), but very toxic. It is not fun. Both are competitive, but one group just isnt fun, brings more stress. I have stopped playing that game with them for over a year, but still in the gaming chat group.
Sometimes I game with my friends, sometimes I dont. Sometimes I play a game (alone) that I am an interested in, sometimes I go weeks without gaming.
I have stopped prioritizing it, and making it a crutch.
Can gaming help? Yes. So can a blunt once in awhile, maybe not everyday. So can a drink once on awhile, maybe not everyday. Maybe none of them helps, even if you do it moderately or minimally. Gaming isnt bad. But get your priorities straight and always spot an addiction...no matter what. That goes for TRP. Take a break, go apply what you learnt, stop visiting the fucking sub everday mental masterbating.
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
Wasted time? Life is a waste of time!
Hombremaniac 5y ago
> though being a late bloomer
Jeez man, this resonates so fkn much with me.
I'm 40, spent so many @!#$ hours in front of the screen. Just few months ago I just started to feel completely fed up with this. I feel upset if I don't do anything productive or if I should stay home the whole weekend. I guess I might be feeling midlife crisis or something like that, but I intend to ride that mfker and make the best out of it.
Hitting gym for about month, cooking my own food & tracking macros, can't wait to see where this journey takes me.
Orochimaru331 5y ago
Reading fiction is no different from playing video games, and watching porn. Reading non-fiction is no different from using someone else's ideas and calling it your own.
iFx_ 5y ago
Everything in moderation. That is all.
priestfrommiddleeast 5y ago
"I don't smoke crack, mothafucka I sell it!" - Kendrick Lamar
If you are ditching making 6figs doing modular stuff for games and whatnot because video games "rot your brain if you play too much", I don't know what to tell you man. Sure, lay off investing hours and wasting time playing if it's not returning money. But, at least go with the craft of making the big bank! Making video games is fun, exciting, and is not an instant gratification. Lots of creativity, trial and error, performance correction, code, etc.
Just my 2 cents.
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
I do not make video games or mods. My 6fig job is fine lol.
My career in IT is unrelated to gaming. What I was trying to explain is that I had a "natural in" for IT jobs because I knew my way around a computer as a result of gaming my life away.
priestfrommiddleeast 5y ago
Ah, I misunderstood OP. In that case, I feel you!
Fantawaters 5y ago
"We could defend Weed or Marriage the same way"
i think marriage is in a vastly different category. It isn't an addictive vice, it's a sacrifice, a costly one that should only be done after long consideration. Not at all like weed or porn.
Aroundwork 5y ago
Damn. What's so alluring to me too is that now that video games have become more mainstream, you see people like Shroud and Ninja becoming famous and millionaires from streaming. That concept is so attractive and I know deep down I could achieve success like that if I really tried and had a smart plan.
I don't know how to reconcile a genuine passion for gaming while also recognizing my addictive personality and realization that I could be going out and doing real shit
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
Easy.
Are you actually busting moves to become a 0.1% twitch streamer? Is it adding tangible value to your life? Then keep on trucking.
If not, admit to yourself that you are basically masterbating your masculine instinct for dominance and growth through a game and step back.
I had this same thought in my head when I was Masters league SC2. I went so far as researching Team Houses in S.Korea, seeing how the life works, and befriending even more elite players who were either in or associated with Professional players.
One of my roommates 2 years ago paid rent with Twitch. And a bit more even. Few hundred or thousand depending on the month. He's not exactly a man I want to emulate tho.
It's not that you can't make gaming work for you, or even that its a bad way to meet people and add value to your life. But that is the 0.1% of gaming.
Most of it is lazy, safe, escapism. Take an honest look and decide for yourself.
Besides, turning a pass time/relaxing passion into a job is a great way to kill the joy in it.
NorthernWarriorRP 5y ago
I quit gaming in October, except I've taken a different route, which I would recommend to anyone with the discipline to leave their personal edrug sitting on the counter:
Since October, my FLOPS have been grinding not meaningless game progression, but Folding@Home.
serio1337 5y ago
Is folding@home even profitable nowadays? I mean, sure it's better than your hardware just sitting there.
NorthernWarriorRP 5y ago
Profitable? This has nothing to do with cryptocurrency.
serio1337 5y ago
Ah, forgot it was a volunteer effort. As a part of the folding network are they providing progress/milestones achieved, or is that all public?
NorthernWarriorRP 5y ago
I don't care about internet points. If it helps cure my or my sister's or my kids or loved ones future cancer, then it's worth the extra $1.30 on my power bill.
ahab_dies 5y ago
Since I fully embraced TRP lifestyle I literally haven't had time to play vidya. The only free time I get is during the afternoon on Sundays and about an hour every morning before I leave for work. I feel like this is how TRP says I should be living.
FuddPacker1928 5y ago
You're right but I'm a hopeless addict
SidewaysCircle 5y ago
I get this. It is so addictive. Start as a kid and I guarantee it rewires your brain like porn.
Literally nothing else in life matters.
That is so unhealthy.
Obviously if you can play and not be addicted good for you but it's rough when you grew up and that was your life.
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TruthandPolitics 5y ago
Same thing goes for sportsball, movies, Netflix, youtube and being on reddit.
Merica911 5y ago
Is 8 ball pool for mobile bad or nah? I only play a round or 2 on the shitter
SJW_H8R 5y ago
Just like any other interest, you can use video games to further your career, social life, and love life.
It all comes down to what you do with it.
juddshanks 5y ago
As with alcohol, drugs, gambling and whatver, different people have different tolerances to addictive exposure.
I agree video games are more or less exactly the same as most other addictive substances. They
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
Ah, I see, real man build coffee tables and have handlebar moustache. They chop wood in the forest and have big biceps and wear overalls. Much impress such manly.
rubenescaray 5y ago
I play games a lot, and I really wouldn't like to defend them, I know how much hours it has taken me, but I feel my drive to pursue what I would naturally want (success in the real world, women) has been depleted more by porn and weed than by videogames.
Some years back I didn't have money for games but porn is free, and my results with the other sex were bad, I still ate shitty food and didn't study hard enough, why would I? everything I wanted was available in a website, free, no struggle, just click and fap away everything.
That's just me obviously.
redpharma7789 5y ago
I’m going to disagree with saying that video games are just as bad as porn.
I agree that video games, like porn, are a form of instant gratification. But porn is to fulfill that one desire, while video games are a form of entertainment as a pass time.
The problem begins when you start choosing video games over real life, or as you said, it starts eating into your life.
If you had the option to party with your friends or play video games, which one would you choose?
jizzledfreq 5y ago
Disagree. I like to play various apps on my phone. Good way to kill some time when I'm in limbo. Play 15 minutes here, 15 minutes there.
A lot of posts like these sound like a mentality of scarcity, and I'll say that a person doesn't ALWAYS have to be doing something productive. Work hard, play hard.
Battagliare 5y ago
If you like games with swords/medieval weapons go to HEMA or Kendo or Fencing.
If you like sports games just do that sport irl (this is painfully obvious)
If you like strategy games, start to invest in chess heavily, buy some books on it and a cheap set of chess, either play it online or irl with people(good way to socialize too)
If you like FPS, try Paintball or Airsoft. They are really fun and again, great way to socialize. (And Lasertag if you are a fag)
I'm yet to find an irl substitute for a RPG (Which is grinding actually, go grind in real life in a way that'll make you some money.)*
Point is, video games are just keeping you from what is real. And "real" is WAY funnier than using your pixel sword to cut some pixel character.
*D&D is obvious substitute for RPG's.
Captain_Quick 5y ago
Working out is grinding, essentially.
jizzledfreq 5y ago
You ever hear of LARPING? Good way to RPG and socialize, or D&D.
Battagliare 5y ago
Yeah cant believe i forgot D&D really. Its really fun.
And Larping is kind of faggotry imo.
BitsAndBobs304 5y ago
So chess is real and advance war is fake or fiction. Enlightening.
Battagliare 5y ago
Exactly. Care to prove otherwise ?
chaseemall 5y ago
I honestly think that the strategy games are starting to gain real world respect, and I think that future generations might look at MOBA's the way we look at Chess. Since I'm terrible at both, I'm less invested.
The way I see it, if you're going to play games, either be exceptionally good with them, and actually competitive, or limit your time on them. Most people don't play tennis daily, they play it a couple times a month. In the same way, don't play video games daily, unless your aim is to get exceptionally good and get real-world reward/status.
As for RPG's, I've come to realize some of the best stories and art is coming from games, and so I've allowed myself to play them more. But it's art appreciation, not escapism.
Battagliare 5y ago
Yeah witcher 3 for example, i read its books and now im playing the game to see the world and characters of it.
I've mixed opinion on MOBA, its true it really requires your brain to work but again it wastes your time so bad. So yeah, your advice seems legit.
AwakenedSovereign 5y ago
This. All of those real things to spend time on. All of the secondary and tertiary benefits that come out of doing real hings with real people.
And yet it is so easy to replace them with pixellated lies.
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Doomacracy 5y ago
This case is relevant to you. I know tons of extremely successful people who play video games.
liberty1127 5y ago
What's alpha is doing what you want. If you make 300k a year, are jacked, eat well and fuck hot bitches...video games aren't going to destroy your life.
If you waste every second playing them sure....but if you prioritize important things and are successful, playing video games is no worse than going to the pub and drinking a beer with friends or wasting time doing something else.
The notion that being RP means every waking second of your life should be dedicated to improving yourself is crazy. As a powerlifter, I've learned that you need time to rest and recover...especially from stress in life or you become burnt out.
Do whatever you want, just be successful and get pussy. If either of those things hasn't happened to you, maybe stop the video games until you are stable.