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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Josquius on April 06, 2012, 04:14:01 AM

Title: video games- destroying our youth's sense of wonder
Post by: Josquius on April 06, 2012, 04:14:01 AM
A thought which was with me during my trip a few weeks ago.
Such beautiful sites yet....my awe was not what it should be.
I put it to you that video games have spoiled the capacity of modern people to feel awe and wonder at beautiful sights; what with video games giving us fantastically unrealistic and so much more impressive sites when it comes to the real old castles we are struck with a sense of 'is that it?'.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: video games- destroying our youth's sense of wonder
Post by: Razgovory on April 06, 2012, 04:48:01 AM
Nah.  You might have better traction with movies, but still nah.  Seeing a castle in a game or a movie and actually walking around one are very different.  Also video games tend to be private experiences.  Usually only one or perhaps two people are playing.  Seeing the power of nature first hand in a storm cloud can be a group experience.  Not only are you a witness to something beautiful, you feel a connection with those those around you for sharing the experience.
Title: Re: video games- destroying our youth's sense of wonder
Post by: CountDeMoney on April 06, 2012, 06:42:03 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 06, 2012, 04:14:01 AM
I put it to you that video games have spoiled the capacity of modern people to feel awe and wonder at beautiful sights; what with video games giving us fantastically unrealistic and so much more impressive sites when it comes to the real old castles we are struck with a sense of 'is that it?'.

Thoughts?

Bah, my mother was saying the same shit about books 30 years ago when I had my head stuffed in them instead of going outside to play.  Meh.
Title: Re: video games- destroying our youth's sense of wonder
Post by: Fate on April 06, 2012, 08:50:58 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 06, 2012, 04:14:01 AM
A thought which was with me during my trip a few weeks ago.
Such beautiful sites yet....my awe was not what it should be.
I put it to you that video games have spoiled the capacity of modern people to feel awe and wonder at beautiful sights; what with video games giving us fantastically unrealistic and so much more impressive sites when it comes to the real old castles we are struck with a sense of 'is that it?'.

I think you're wrong. No video game captures the beauty of being in places like Zion National Park. One day, perhaps, when we can plug a game right into our brainstem, but until then it can't hold a candle to reality. We're more than just visual and auditory beings. A video and audio facsimile does not suffice.
Title: Re: video games- destroying our youth's sense of wonder
Post by: The Brain on April 06, 2012, 08:53:11 AM
When fractal landscape generators appeared they were the shit. :)
Title: Re: video games- destroying our youth's sense of wonder
Post by: Neil on April 06, 2012, 09:23:04 AM
I suppose you could say that about all information media.  Still, I'd rather be educated and know about things than an ignorant wretch who is always amazed by everything he sees.
Title: Re: video games- destroying our youth's sense of wonder
Post by: derspiess on April 06, 2012, 10:37:27 AM
Quote from: Fate on April 06, 2012, 08:50:58 AM
I think you're wrong. No video game captures the beauty of being in places like Zion National Park.

I think the Burned Man DLC for Fallout New Vegas made a good effort at that.

But yeah-- I haven't been to Zion yet but I'd say the same thing about Yellowstone.  Parts of it make you feel like you're on a completely different planet.

Title: Re: video games- destroying our youth's sense of wonder
Post by: CountDeMoney on April 06, 2012, 01:13:44 PM
Quote from: derspiess on April 06, 2012, 10:37:27 AM
But yeah-- I haven't been to Zion yet but I'd say the same thing about Yellowstone.  Parts of it make you feel like you're on a completely different planet.

Like New Jersey.  Vineland < Wasteland.
Title: Re: video games- destroying our youth's sense of wonder
Post by: grumbler on April 06, 2012, 02:05:41 PM
I'm with the others; I think the problem you describe just applies to you, Tyr.

A kid was telling me in robotics just last week how much more impressive Zion national park was in real life (he'd just been there over spring break) than in FONV.
Title: Re: video games- destroying our youth's sense of wonder
Post by: Ed Anger on April 06, 2012, 07:42:30 PM
Quote from: grumbler on April 06, 2012, 02:05:41 PM
I'm with the others; I think the problem you describe just applies to you, Tyr.

A kid was telling me in robotics just last week how much more impressive Zion national park was in real life (he'd just been there over spring break) than in FONV.

Robotics. Great, Grumber is building Skynet.