Topic: The Only Thing i Know

I'm glad to see him take responsibility, so I apologize for the remarks about him needing to man up and do so. However, I do want to say one thing about giving back and making a difference. There are ways to use video games to make a difference, including Guitar Hero.

The people I've talked with in the chat and have read my post about getting proper checkups and blood pressure checks probably know I had a massive stroke about five years back. If you know someone that has had one, you know how it completely changes your life and 95% of the time inhibits full use of one or more of your arms and legs. (Yes this has a point lol)

One way to make a difference while using video games is something I do weekly. Call a cardiologist or a rehabilitation center (not a drug or achohol one but a physical thearpy one) and find out where they do stroke rehab. Ask them if they would be willing to let you volunteer to bring a game system and help the patients play it. Guitar Hero is excellent for helping them gain dexterity in their hands, as well as just using the controller. It might not seem that way but after a stroke you have to retrain yourself to use your hands and feet without having to think about it which as a gamer we take for granted (until it happens to you lol).

You'd be surprised that somehing as simple as getting past world 1-1 on SMB can really inspire someone to overcome what otherwise would seem to be the end of life as the person knew it.

@tealovertoma: I never said your arguments weren't deep, nor do I believe that you are entirely wrong. While some people may be content with video games, others may not feel as fulfilled. The person who made this video was probably part of the latter group. Thus, I think he made this video in order to inform people like himself. I never really felt as though he was trying to push his opinion about life onto the world...

Man, this guy comes off as preachy. The next thing I expected to hear him tell me is that video games are the devil and that I should find religion or I'm going to burn for all of eternity. What it really sounds like to me is that this guy had an addiction problem. I'm reading between the lines a bit, but as far as I understand, he's attempting to address others that are as seriously addicted as he was, although to a regular-moderate gamer(me), it seems that he is vilifying gaming and thus comes off as incredibly annoying(d-----bag). I believe that he does have good intentions, but it doesn't really matter if its crack, cocaine, gaming, gambling or hookers, anything can be bad for you if not taken in moderation(I'm suggesting you try those other things, btw). That being said, its my opinion that there's nothing wrong with escaping reality once in awhile and there is value in entertainment as long as it makes you happy, if books and guitar aren't your thing, they aren't your thing(they aren't mine either), enjoy what you enjoy. Its only when you live in a game that it becomes a problem(aka when you don't shower, don't feed your pets/children, ignore your loved ones).

Paraphrase time:
Be careful of addiction. Yes, you can be addicted to video games. Enjoy what you enjoy, but don't let other people tell you what is okay and what isn't, just don't lose track of reality. /My opinion