Are Video games wasting peoples lives? Debate

Ok so basically me and a group of friends have been asked to debate on the topic " Are video games wasting peoples lives".

I've got to do an essay on the topic in a couple of hours, So please share your thoughts.

Depends on the genre.

I find most action platforms a waste of time

I find all FPS a waste of time

I find MORPG or MMORPGs a waste of time

I find Sports games a waste of time

Only Genre I believe that isn't a true waste of time are ones that are like books or puzzles....

So traditional RPGs,

Strategic/Tactical RPGs

Puzzles are pretty much the types I consider non-waste of time.

Are movies a waste of time? Are comics a waste of time? Is tv a waste of time? These are all are hobbies a fair portion of us love (just like video games), but it all comes down to how well moderate them. Life is all about balance. As long as your gaming doesn't hinder the things that really matter in life (your relationships, health and career), then I'd say no, playing video games are absolutely not a waste of your life. They might not be "productive" in most cases, but they can bring us joy, and I'd say that's quite important -- or at least it is for me.

Games are only a waste of time if you let them waste your time; video games are a means of escape like anything else, and if you let it get in the way of doing what you've got to do or what you could do to better yourself, then your wasting your time.

Yes.

Video games are a form of entertainment just like movies, TV, Books, etc.

The key living a fulfilling life is moderation, putting work before pleasure and so on and so forth.

I like how everyone keeps trying to blame the past-time, and not the people.

Counter argument: in what way are video games wasting any more time than other forms of entertainment, such as a novel, movie, or TV show?

k4tzm4n and JediXMan have pretty much nailed the topic.

Yes, but they are fun.

I think you should be responsible for managing your own time. I don't play because I don't like them but if it gives you joy then it is not a waste.

There is one simple answer. They are only waste your time if you let them. If you have nothing work or education related to do and want to kick-back with a game I see no problem with it at all. They only become detrimental if they are getting in the way of work/education.

Everything is a waste of time...
BB

@Billy Batson said:

Everything is a waste of time...
BB

Approved by MS.

No. Video games are inanimate objects. People waste their own time.

Also, considering everyone has their own definition of what is fun, what is good, what is useful and what is not - and also considering that there are so many theories as to what the meaning of life is, and why we are here in the first place...well I think it would be very presumptuous of me to deem anything a waste of someone's life, particularly if it makes them happy.

Anything that slows me down from becoming who I really want to be is a waste of time.

@Pyrogram said:

Yes, but they are fun.

WHAT THIS GUY SAID.

@BumpyBoo said:

No. Video games are inanimate objects. People waste their own time.

Also, considering everyone has their own definition of what is fun, what is good, what is useful and what is not - and also considering that there are so many theories as to what the meaning of life is, and why we are here in the first place...well I think it would be very presumptuous of me to deem anything a waste of someone's life, particularly if it makes them happy.

Technically anything that does not benefit you in the future is wasted, but that is not exactly "life" if your purposely not doing things for enjoyment out of fear of wasting it.

@Pyrogram said:

@BumpyBoo said:

No. Video games are inanimate objects. People waste their own time.

Also, considering everyone has their own definition of what is fun, what is good, what is useful and what is not - and also considering that there are so many theories as to what the meaning of life is, and why we are here in the first place...well I think it would be very presumptuous of me to deem anything a waste of someone's life, particularly if it makes them happy.

Technically anything that does not benefit you in the future is wasted, but that is not exactly "life" if your purposely not doing things for enjoyment out of fear of wasting it.

Exactly - as others have said, you find the balance that works for you. I would even argue that never wasting time to just have fun is a waste of a different kind.

@BumpyBoo said:

No. Video games are inanimate objects. People waste their own time.

Also, considering everyone has their own definition of what is fun, what is good, what is useful and what is not - and also considering that there are so many theories as to what the meaning of life is, and why we are here in the first place...well I think it would be very presumptuous of me to deem anything a waste of someone's life, particularly if it makes them happy.

This

You can waste your time on them depending on how you utilize your time with it. If you are logged into comicvine 24 hours a day, you are wasting your time. if you watch movies for 24 hours a day, you are wasting your time. If you watch TV for 24 hours a day, you are wasting your time. If you have your eyes glued to a comic all day then you are wasting your time. Playing video games for 24 hours a day is wasting your time.

Utilize time more wisely because time is not on your side.

Spent my entire day beating a video game. That was not time wasted. Why? I had fun.

99.9% of everything fun is wasteful. If i spent my time studying and exercising more than I already do instead of gaming or reading comics or whatever, life would be boring and stressful.

No more or less than any other recreational activity.  

Is any activity not generating any financial profit now considered as a waste of time?

No. Because people can waste their lives by doing anything not useful. I mean, chances are you'll find someone wasting their life away doing drugs over just playing games all day.

I'm sure there have been a few cases of people just playing games and doing nothing else in life, but compared to those who engage in drugs, drink etc it's hardly comparable. If anything, video games can actually be good for the brain and if you're good enough you can make some money in tourneys, MLG etc even.

Besides, the casual gamer or average person from 8-35 years of age plays games daily.

We are dying every minute of the day, might as well make it enjoyable for a while by playing a game.

@k4tzm4n said:

Are movies a waste of time? Are comics a waste of time? Is tv a waste of time? These are all are hobbies a fair portion of us love (just like video games), but it all comes down to how well moderate them. Life is all about balance.

<3

No.

If I didn't play video games and waste my life on comicvine what would I do?

Probably do drugs

No, video games like any other form of media that is for entertainment can become an obsession over a hobby but only if you let it

@k4tzm4n said:

Are movies a waste of time? Are comics a waste of time? Is tv a waste of time? These are all are hobbies a fair portion of us love (just like video games), but it all comes down to how well moderate them. Life is all about balance. As long as your gaming doesn't hinder the things that really matter in life (your relationships, health and career), then I'd say no, playing video games are absolutely not a waste of your life. They might not be "productive" in most cases, but they can bring us joy, and I'd say that's quite important -- or at least it is for me.

*sniff*

It's beautiful...

Is Comicvine a waste of time?

Hell yes.

I'm going to keep posting though.

@acer51 said:

Is Comicvine a waste of time?

Hell yes.

I'm going to keep posting though.

Technically speaking, spending too much time non-productively on the internet is in fact a big waste of time.