Informal Research Hw # 10

If you ask people whether or not kids are spending too much time on videogames, the typical answer is controversial. The list of websites below may prove points that argue both sides.

http://www.gameinnovator.com/health.php

On this website, they gave examples of both good and bad health effects that videogames cause. I found this interesting because it stated that there were not as many bad effects reported as good. "People (especially youngsters) who are undergoing painful treatment for ailments like cancer can use video games to distract themselves from the pain for extended periods." I find this to be interesting because it uses what people believe as "bad" and makes it a positive.
In class we discussed how the digital world may be separated from the "real world" and this actually proves this to be true. People are able to use videogames to escape from their problems for periods of time. This can be a stress relief but just as anything else, too much is a problem.
This website also proves that it’s not really what you do, it’s the way you do it. For example: playing a Family Guy game isn’t the best choice but playing a game that stimulates hand eye coordination or problem solving can benefit a person: “Studies have also shown that playing video games can improve mental faculties, such as hand-eye coordination. More intelligent games such as strategy and puzzle games can also improve problem solving, and provide intellectual stimulation as well.”

http://www.mda.gov.sg/wms.file/mobj/mobj.579.parents_vid-effects.pdf

“Both Singapore and the US army modified available video games to hone the strategic and decision-making skills of officers.” This is just a quote I found in this website that I found extremely interesting. So many people look down on videogames mean while its being used in the system that is used to fight for our country. This could be another controversial fact. This is being used to train people who are basically “killers” and is also being introduced to children. I’m sure that the videogames are not as intense but some of the videogames out now are extremely gory.
(As I finished skimming this website, I realized that they actually spelled practicing incorrectly meanwhile this seems to be some what of a government website so I’m unsure of how reliable this may be.)

http://www.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_effect.shtml

Cool facts I found on this website:

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  83% of kids, eight to eighteen, have at least one video game player in their home, 31% have 3 or more video game players, and 49% have video game systems in their bedrooms (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2005).


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  Video Games account for one-third of the average monthly core entertainment spending in the U.S. (NDP Group Inc., 2009).


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  Adolescents who play more than one hour of console or Internet video games have more or more intense symptoms of ADHD or inattention than those who do not (Chan, 2006).


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  Video game usage may be linked to a lower GPA and SAT score (Vivek, 2007).


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  Games can confuse reality and fantasy.


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  Many games do not offer action that requires independent thought or creativity.

Comment on Sam R's Blog

Sam,
I just want to let you know that your video was awesome. The music was the best and you are my new favorite person for watching Spongebob. I also thought that you brought up a lot of interesting topics.You stated that you didn't want your children using digital representation devices but you knew that they would anyway. You also stated that we would explain to them our regrets but they wouldn’t care. This made me laugh because it reminded me of my mom when she tells me "oh i was a kid too" Whenever she tells me that, I have the same reaction you said your kids would have. I'm pretty sure that the next generation will out grow the technology stage. Technology is constantly growing and has definitely not reached its limits. if anything, I believe that the next generation will be more in depth with technology and be controlled by it more. Later on, you also stated that you seemed to be bored while looking for something else to do. This made me wonder if our digital life has become more of a requirement than a recreational activity. It seems as if using digital representation devices a been programmed into our lives. Its like we crave to do other things and are getting bored with the same digital activities but we are enslaved by that part of our life.Your first paragraph say that you don’t like how you look in the video. This kind of made me think about my video. Normally, I lose myself in the digital world completely and totally but since i knew that I was being recorded, I sort of blocked that from happening. I think that sort of shows how I'm somewhat ashamed of how lost I can get in the digital world. Do you think that while being recoreded you became fully embodied, or did you compose yourself because you were being recorded?Well, I really enjoyed your video and reflection and you really had me wondering. Hope to hear from you soon. -Amanda :)

Comment on Rachels Blog

Rachel,
I really enjoyed watching your video and reading your reflection. I thought that you brought up some really interesting points. You really made me wonder more about my future and how digital representation devices are affecting how others may see me.
When you stated that you became completely disembodied, I thought that you really captured how everyone sort of feels. Someone may be in a situation where they missed out on an opportunity because they were captured by the digital world. To me, I think that digital representation devices were set up to make it so that you cannot use them without becoming zoned out. If you think about it, it's extremely hard to accomplish something using DRD without becoming disembodied. People may see this as a bad thing but it's not only with DRD, it is the same with reading and any other activities that require focus. This also reminded me of how people become zoned out in the street with that weird blue tooth thing. I know that when I see them in the street it seems to me as if they are crazy people walking down the street and then realize that they are having an actual conversation with someone.
You also stated that you didn't want to sound like a hypocrite because you wouldn’t want your little sister or future child using DRDs for long periods of time; you would rather them outside being active. Since you think that, do you really think that there is a lack of outside activity in your own life? I say this because as a gymnast I train 4 hours everyday but still get as much time in the digital world as others do (of course I have lost some sleep but I'm used to it.) Do you think that I may still be over doing it? I guess what the real question is if your okay with the way your living now and you aren't following your own standards, then why should your child or little sister have to live differently?
Even though I just questioned you on that point, I kind of agree. I rethought that topic of my future kids and actually considered that I would like to keep my children away from the digital world. It's that I wouldn't really mind them becoming a digital person, but I want to give them the chance to choose otherwise. It's like drugs. The digital world is addicting and once you get started with it, it's ten times harder to stop.
Well both your video and reflection were really interesting and really made me think about my life. Can't wait to hear more from you.
-Amanda :)