Add a productive or unproductive activity

briandivisionb16_ESO · September 2014

My little bro patronisingly asked "Why be good at a computer game when you can be good at real life?"
I wanted to dissect that a little. I think it might seem a little narrow-minded.

Is this not like asking, "Why be good at recreation when you can be good at real life?"
Is recreation not a part of life?

I guess there are different levels of recreation, and in light of that statement it might help to put them on a productive scale to assess if what we are doing is productive.

On a scale of 1-10 'being productive' I rated a few below. The list is not exhaustive, and is very broad. But lets have a little fun!

Swimming: 7 (I like to swim! lol)
Archery: 6
Snooker: 5 (You're honing skills, and socialising with at least one other person)
Playing online games: 4 (You're honing skills; you're socialising - but only to an extent, thus the 4)
Playing offline games, alone: 3 (As with snooker you're honing skills, yet as with T.V. you are not engaging with anyone)
Slot machines: 3 (You are losing money and not really getting 'good' at anything, though I have given it a 3 because you may enjoy the slot machines, and you may even be socialising)
Television: 3 (T.V. Is a one-way conversation, yet a '3' because there is an enjoyment factor) And let's not forget educational T.V!

So does my little brothers cocky statement have any merit? It's difficult to rate things on this scale because they are so broad. For example, lets not forget about educational T.V.
Where for example would we rate listening to music?

Perhaps the further we focus on activities further up the scale, the better we will become 'at real life'? lol :P

Would you rate online gaming as more productive or less than offline? Perhaps time-wasting is a factor - aren't online games more time consuming?
Please add a few activities and how you would rate them from 1-10; '1' being the least productive; '10' being the most. And why?

AlexDougherty · September 2014

Downgrade slot machines to one. Most people don't socialise when they are on them, you are not enhancing any skills, and you are wasting money (unless you get lucky).

I will allow you to upgrade Slot machines to four if you are a mathematics expert who has devised a system for winning, but only if the system actually works, and your profit margin is greater than 150%.

Oh, and I agree about educational TV, Watched the secret life of pets last night, and I love "QI" and "Only Connect".

ers101284b14_ESO · September 2014

Playing games can and has proven to increase real life. But as with anything only depending on how you use it.

In real life my social interaction is a 1. I don't get out I don't socialize and I don't like being around people too much. I get very nervous in large crowds and it's hard for me to be in social settings for extended periods of time. But I come to ESO and I am able to hop on TS and meet people in game that gives me the social interaction that all humans need without the fear of being in a public place.

Games can also increase endorphins and increase work productivity. A lot of people get bogged down at work and it can feel like your doing nothing but just trudging through the day. But halfway through the day if you take a break and do a small simple game like say peggle for instance where you can clear a level fast and feel good about it it increases your mood and enjoyment level. A better mood increases work productivity.

Games are not a substitute for real life but can be used to enhance real life.

http://www.amazon.com/Reality-Is-Broken-Better-Change-ebook/dp/B004G8Q1Q4 I suggest reading this

Also look up Gamification. Its about how companies are using science behind games to sell more products but how we could also use it to enhance our lives.

briandivisionb16_ESO · September 2014

Very insightful replies! I will check that book out

ers101284b14_ESO · September 2014

Its a pretty good one. Also Jesse Schell has some good speeches on youtube about Gamification.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jesse+schell+gamification

Two-Dogs · September 2014

You might point out that, as you state, recreation is considered by many folks to be a part of life and the format of recreation does not undervalue the time invested within it if, as for said folks, myself included, recreational activities are activities performed/engaged with as a means of relaxation.

As such, my personal metric would be, 'How relaxed/content am I with this activity?' and perhaps 'How much do I enjoy/how happy am I while I engage with this activity?

Now, if the question was something along the lines of, 'If, in a given moment, we're not taking the opportunity to better ourselves, are we wasting our time?'' or something along those lines then I'd consider it worth pondering/discussing further.

At the moment, the discussion boils down to - 'Virtuality/reality, which is most worthy of our time and energy?' to which I can only respond with -'Quit with the dualism already, I'm having a bath. Aaaah a lovely bath.'

(Or we can enjoy rating activities based on whatever system of measurement we wish, which is aok of course!)

If he wishes to quibble over 'virtual' versus 'reality' - point out that recreation takes place within his mind, regardless of the format.

Of course, defining 'mind' could get a little tricky..

(Baths - 10. Live longer, die happier.)

Vuron · September 2014

What if you play online games for money? This could range from pro gaming leagues, to online poker, to selling online items for profit in games like Diablo.

Doesn't that crossover to playing games AND being productive?

smeeprocketnub19_ESO · September 2014

Your psychological health is as important as anything else, so it's important to have recreational activities. MMOs, as you said, at least get you to socialize somewhat, and they are dynamic, so the time playing is good for you, unless something stressful is happening to you in game.

Of course, everything in moderation, if the recreation becomes your life and you put aside family and friends and important things like work if you are not retired, then it ceases to be constructive.