Post by Daniel Tak on Apr 3, 2009 20:54:22 GMT -5
Here's another one of my English assignments that I've had. I was assigned to write about a contemporary controversy that I knew enough about so that I wouldn't have to do outside research. This one has to do with the debate over video games. It's completed, but open to revisions and suggestions.
One conflict that exists in the modern world concerns whether or not video and computer games are healthy for the body and mind. The video and computer game industry originated several decades ago and has since become one of the largest markets worldwide. However, as with virtually anything, there are people claiming that video and computer games are not healthy for the gamers playing, especially the children. Another point-of-view concerning these games is one with a positive note, in which some people point out that video and computer games can help people focus and increase mental ability. Both views have their own merits and flaws when we consider how being addicted to games can have a harmful effect on one’s life, but also that a game which requires lots of strategic decisions can improve a person’s thinking ability.
People who assert that video and computer games have a harmful effect on gamers can certainly see proof of this in the contemporary world. The best video and computer games almost always have the unfortunate side effect of causing addiction, so gamers who play them will feel compelled to continue playing and will never willingly take any breaks or stoppages. This is clearly not healthy for a myriad of reasons. One reason is that if a person plays games for hours and hours a day, that results in less time available for exercising, which means their body is suffering from this. A second reason is that spending excessive hours playing games, especially solo ones, will result in the player not being able to socialize with friends, who may in turn, fall further apart from the gamer. It is certainly not very pleasant to be bereft of friends, and a lack of companions will typically result in a lower self-esteem of the person involved, which may be one of the top reasons why people claim games are not mentally healthy. Finally, a third reason why some claim that video and computer games are not good is that they sometimes promote vulgarity and display inappropriate screens for children. An example of this is the computer game DOOM 3 which is a mature-rated game but is often played by kids much younger than 17 years of age. DOOM 3, which is a shooter game, involves a lot of fighting and shows “monsters” getting ripped apart and blood splattering on the screen. Parents especially would never want their children exposed to this type of game, which happen to be rampant in the world. Anyone that says video games have negative effects on gamers certainly has solid reasons for this.
On the other hand, there are people who are proponents of video and computer games and say games can improve one’s mental ability and health. Video and computer games, when used in moderation, can be a great source of relaxation and fun after a difficult day at school or work. I often play on my newly acquired “Wii” machine for a few hours on weekends to de-stress me from the load of work that I do. This, in turn, improves my health “mentally” and gives me a chance to rest myself.
There is another reason why people support games, which has to do with improving mental ability. These people are typically referring to strategy games, which include a huge number of genres, such as real-time strategy, science-fiction strategy, and so on. Strategy games are immensely different from the shooter games that are so famous for displaying grotesque scenes, although they are not all without their own flaws. These games, such as the computer games of Age of Empires and Civilization series, require extensive planning and analyzing in order to succeed at the higher levels of difficulty (almost everyone can play on lower levels in strategy games and still succeed because the easier settings require less thinking). This analyzing and planning is a skill that is used in life to many degrees, and this is without a doubt one of the major reasons why people are supporters of games. To continue with this concept, I know a person who has many difficulties in school who plays the Age of Empires series along with me. Occasionally, we play some games together using the “multiplayer” options, but usually, the games are no contest for me because I easily overwhelm the other person. This is simply because I utilize my mental abilities to the maximum when playing, and the other person was playing without a plan or thinking very much. I fall into the category of people who support certain video and computer games because they are both relaxing and demand a lot of thinking.
The controversy over whether video and computer games are healthy for humans will probably never cease. It is simply a fact that video games and computer games have negative side effects, like addiction and lack of exercise. I believe, though, that certain video games (not all of them) have positive effects because they help you relax and focus. This is why I am a fan of video and computer games.
One conflict that exists in the modern world concerns whether or not video and computer games are healthy for the body and mind. The video and computer game industry originated several decades ago and has since become one of the largest markets worldwide. However, as with virtually anything, there are people claiming that video and computer games are not healthy for the gamers playing, especially the children. Another point-of-view concerning these games is one with a positive note, in which some people point out that video and computer games can help people focus and increase mental ability. Both views have their own merits and flaws when we consider how being addicted to games can have a harmful effect on one’s life, but also that a game which requires lots of strategic decisions can improve a person’s thinking ability.
People who assert that video and computer games have a harmful effect on gamers can certainly see proof of this in the contemporary world. The best video and computer games almost always have the unfortunate side effect of causing addiction, so gamers who play them will feel compelled to continue playing and will never willingly take any breaks or stoppages. This is clearly not healthy for a myriad of reasons. One reason is that if a person plays games for hours and hours a day, that results in less time available for exercising, which means their body is suffering from this. A second reason is that spending excessive hours playing games, especially solo ones, will result in the player not being able to socialize with friends, who may in turn, fall further apart from the gamer. It is certainly not very pleasant to be bereft of friends, and a lack of companions will typically result in a lower self-esteem of the person involved, which may be one of the top reasons why people claim games are not mentally healthy. Finally, a third reason why some claim that video and computer games are not good is that they sometimes promote vulgarity and display inappropriate screens for children. An example of this is the computer game DOOM 3 which is a mature-rated game but is often played by kids much younger than 17 years of age. DOOM 3, which is a shooter game, involves a lot of fighting and shows “monsters” getting ripped apart and blood splattering on the screen. Parents especially would never want their children exposed to this type of game, which happen to be rampant in the world. Anyone that says video games have negative effects on gamers certainly has solid reasons for this.
On the other hand, there are people who are proponents of video and computer games and say games can improve one’s mental ability and health. Video and computer games, when used in moderation, can be a great source of relaxation and fun after a difficult day at school or work. I often play on my newly acquired “Wii” machine for a few hours on weekends to de-stress me from the load of work that I do. This, in turn, improves my health “mentally” and gives me a chance to rest myself.
There is another reason why people support games, which has to do with improving mental ability. These people are typically referring to strategy games, which include a huge number of genres, such as real-time strategy, science-fiction strategy, and so on. Strategy games are immensely different from the shooter games that are so famous for displaying grotesque scenes, although they are not all without their own flaws. These games, such as the computer games of Age of Empires and Civilization series, require extensive planning and analyzing in order to succeed at the higher levels of difficulty (almost everyone can play on lower levels in strategy games and still succeed because the easier settings require less thinking). This analyzing and planning is a skill that is used in life to many degrees, and this is without a doubt one of the major reasons why people are supporters of games. To continue with this concept, I know a person who has many difficulties in school who plays the Age of Empires series along with me. Occasionally, we play some games together using the “multiplayer” options, but usually, the games are no contest for me because I easily overwhelm the other person. This is simply because I utilize my mental abilities to the maximum when playing, and the other person was playing without a plan or thinking very much. I fall into the category of people who support certain video and computer games because they are both relaxing and demand a lot of thinking.
The controversy over whether video and computer games are healthy for humans will probably never cease. It is simply a fact that video games and computer games have negative side effects, like addiction and lack of exercise. I believe, though, that certain video games (not all of them) have positive effects because they help you relax and focus. This is why I am a fan of video and computer games.
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