Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

Wh1skey — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:14 GMT

first!

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

wcraneal — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:13 GMT

second!

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

hodge9600 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:12 GMT

Well all I have to say is I think these doctors have much better things to focus on in this world then Video games and if that is what they went to school to do(prove video games do this or that) then they wasted all that time and money for some thing no one really cares about. I am a single dad and WoW gets me through my days of having to have Nick JR on the whole day. Any way some one needs to tell these doctors to get on some thing that matters and quit waiting time cause they hate video games.

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

BastetJenn — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:11 GMT

Hearing that a Dr states that an addiction (any addiction) is "shameful" makes me very angry. And is in it's self shameful.

That's the same kind of treatment people with eating disorders get. They told that it's "shameful" and nasty and dirty and not something that "normal" people do.

So it turns it from a "I need help" to someone who is going to hide the problem. Because doing something that you are told is shameful produces guilt. And guilt in turn produces and individual who may realize that they need help, will NOT seek it because then they have to admit to doing this shameful, horrible thing.

1) It's wrong to pass judgment (Which by those words that "professional" has) on anyone for any reason
2) Telling people that anything is shameful is more damaging that saying that there is a problem with it.
3) Support the people that need the help, don't force them into hiding. (This is why we have suicide)

That doctor should be ashamed for turning a real problem (We've all heard the stories of people letting their children starve while playing EQ or WoW) into something that people feel should be hidden.

Now, What I'd like to know are the actual statistics on MMO addiction. There are as stated 11 MILLION players for WoW alone. How many are actually addiction cases, and how many are just your regular schmoe trying to have a good time, relax and just play a game.

Cause that's all any MMO is, a Game.

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

Konoko8008 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:10 GMT

If my hard drive were to die, I'd probably be like, "K, time to start my life later dudes", and call all my friends IRL who I play with and be like sorry dude gotta go pull start life, later. It wouldn't make much of a difference.

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

SenitorTroll — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:09 GMT

Dr. Jerald Block is an ass with a porn addiction which he wishes to justify by presenting everyone with a greater evil, MMO's. I prescribe saltpeter and an antiseptic cream with moisturizers to take care of his over-beaten member........

On a serious note, a doctor should never describe an addiction as "shameful". And more importantly how in the world is being a game addict worse than being a porn addict? Stereotypically, who would society look down on more?

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

vijay123 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:08 GMT

I wonder if the doctor would prefer the underage player to have a porn addiction than to be playing a game which develops language skills (I am constantly in awe of the players in other countries who are typing/speaking very good english when in other countries). Teaches negotiating skills, delegation, command, mapreading, how to follow instructions and reason, how to network, build a team the good points are endless and if all you really want is porn then why not just strip your elf and have the best of both worlds.

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

Thunderkrakr — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:07 GMT

I think this article is very on point and the doctor makes a resonable case for the dangers of MMO's like WoW. At the same time all of the reasons why they are so popular with gamers is clearly evidenced by the author of the article. There is a sense of achievement that comes with "leveling" and building up your characters. Sometimes in the "real world" it can be very difficult to experience any sort of achievement whatsoever, so naturally games provide an alternative reality in which to experience those same emotions.

Not to mention that many of us "geeks" have had a situation at work where someone with less tenure and who doesn't pull their weight get promoted above us In WoW the playing field is level for the most part and gives no preference to one person or another. If you complete X quest, then you will get X reward. That type of parity just doesn't exist in the RW.

Still you have to just be careful and not let it be an all consuming thing. If MMO's start interferring in a major way with you responsibilities then you would have to take a serious look into whether or not you should be playin the game as much, or at all.

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

KenzieBob — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:06 GMT

To BastetJenn

THANK YOU!
I couldn't have said it better myself.

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

whyteraven — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:05 GMT

I don't see that there is a problem with playing the game as long as you can seperate reality from fiction. When you feel yourself getting overly emotional about something that happened in a game, it may be time to pull the plug and go outside for a while. Not all gamers are addicted to the games they play. I totally agree that having some form of escape from reality now and then is great. Some choose to read....and do it all the time....THEY don't get complaints about being "addicted" to books. Some people watch TV or Movies....and "absolutely have to" see the next episode of whatever show they're interested in. The list goes on...so...What's with all the double standards?

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

saberwork — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:04 GMT

I'm pretty sure this is all a crock.

MMO's are not an addiction anymore than golf is. These are *hobbies*, and the only reason people don't like them that I have found is that they make you less available to do many things those other people think you should be doing. I guess we'll never get away from folks that want to make sure we are all being completely productive, and of course, paying our fair share of tax for that productivity...lol.

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

BlasterShot — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:03 GMT

" US doctor says being addicted to MMOs is more shameful than 'x-rated' material addiction. "

Ok, this first sentence is so stupid it invalidates the rest..

Because playing an MMO is soooooo much worse then looking at beastiality....

/wristcut

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

jamews — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:02 GMT

Lol this doctor seems like he is out of touch with reality.I run a fairly large guild and for those who do this also you know there is alot of micro managment involved in fact i even put it on a job resume`and it got me the job in a management position.So yes mmo's can be addicting but thats not always a bad thing granted now with the new job i don't get to play as much but thats ok i think i'll live,or maybe not according to the doc

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

2rbear — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:01 GMT

Haha, nice one! You really hit the nail head-on there ;-)

Addiction to MMOs shameful according to doctor

Freakmandu — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:08:00 GMT

I just read the article concerned. The doctor didnt say HE thought it was shameful - he said that people don't seek help because THEY feel its shameful - its very clear that HE doesnt think its shameful.

On that point I have to agree with him - how do you broach the subject with your doctor when they have no experience of gaming or MMOs. Theyre just gonna think youre stupid.