[/quote Brian Lesniak]
Now, I might be a little biased, since I make my living as a video game programmer. But there are no studies (and several have been done) that show any type of negative long-term effects from playing video games, despite what you may have heard on TV. In fact, most studies show positive effects, i.e. improved hand-eye coordination, better problem solving skills, and yes, even a greater tendency toward socializing (games are more fun when played with other people).

So to place the blame for the "disconnect" on video games would be completely wrong. Of course, the most "disconnected" people I've seen are the kids with their iPods, who don't even realize there is somebody else on the sidewalk, or who cross the street against the light at a busy intersection.

But of course, we can't blame it all on music, can we? grin [/quote]


Okay.. Let's make sure we're all on the same page here...

1. Video of murdering pshycho being aired on all national and international news channels = BAD

2. Video games the ONLY reason for disconnection of people in todays society = False.

I'm not knockin your profession Brian. Coming from the days of Pong I commend and Thank you for your tireless and relentless pursuit to design an interface that is truly realistic and fun to play. (if that's what you do) I wasn't placing blame on video games here. I was merely suggesting that technological advances in the entertainment industry have provided a type of "1st person bubble". (Just as you mentioned about the Ipod and the child not paying attention to his surroundings.)

Your impression of the lack of proof to the negative "long term" effects of video game playing may be a bit biased. I'm reminded of a fairly recent incident overseas (Japan, maybe) where a young man spent numerous hours playing on-line only to stand up and die from being sedentary (sp?) for so long. And the on-line community for young children is much more volatile than you give it credit for. A recent television show (20/20 I think) created a mock "on-line" world for children of varying ages to chat with each other. They were seperated into groups depending on their age and given all of todays typical "toys" to use online like video cameras, camera phones, and they were given web pages and blogs to create and share. The result was surprising even to the host at just how nasty, rude and even risque these children would get after just a few short hours. On-line gaming may afford people an opportunity to meet new people they normally wouldn't get a chance to, but honestly does not teach them courtesy, etiquette or affords them the understanding of how their comments affect others online, because they are not there to personally witness the results.

And THAT is what I'm finally getting at with all this rambling. This is where the "numbness" comes into play. I love video games as much as the next guy but, for children to spend hours and hours playing and listening to their Ipods and not getting out there with their peers and friends and meeting new people in person.. that, I believe is one of the reasons we are so disconnected.

You can't get a warm hug from a microprocessor.

I feel a song coming on....

Peace, Love and Happiness to all

"Where there's a Gill, there's a way"