Originally posted by: KingofCamelot
Originally posted by: EeezeeI'd consider the other experiences more valuable, but I'm sure you could hold a good argument about that if you gave it a little effort.
First off, in the mock schedule you put up there you didn't leave much time for HW, chores, or other responsibilities. I understand your argument, but its still not healthy for the kid to be dedicating that many hours to a game. The other experiences are much more valuable. Instead of wasting his time playing a game that will get him nothing he should be playing sports, working, getting a girlfriend, join a club, whatever. Anything with more interaction with people in person would be good.
Also, I don't buy your argument that playing games that much is no different than playing sports that much, etc. Sports give you physical activity, social relations, and the chance for scholorships, etc. Games give you, brain stimulation, thats about it. Either way, variety is the key to life, the kid shouldn't be dedicating that much time to WoW.
I did homework in high school mostly at school. I wouldn't work on homework more than 30 minutes at home. The mock schedule was just the most extreme way to play, without any other activities, and you'd easily clock at 60+ hours/week. If you put 20 hours into homework and other activities, then you can understand how it is possible to average 40 hours per week and still keep up with other responsibilities.
Also, the reason players remain long after they've hit the level cap is for social interaction. Brain stimulation is an additional factor. Reading books would actually rank lower than playing games in this sense; reading books is 100% brain interaction and doesn't even have the social interaction that you can find in a MMORPG.