Another Study Finds Video Gamers Are Better Thinkers
from the think-about-that dept
I'm not much of a video gamer, but perhaps I should start. New researcher that (of course) Jack Thompson will find it convenient to ignore, has found that video games benefit the mind -- slowing down the aging process, increasing the ability to multitask while helping users ignore distracting bits of info and concentrate on what's important (which some people consider a key part of determining how smart you are). Of course, over the years, we've seen plenty of studies talking up the benefits of videos games -- though some don't seem to be all that scientific. Still with so many studies suggesting so many benefits to video gaming, it seems a bit premature for those against video games to so easily dismiss them.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Video Game Newd
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No Subject Given
Do they mean playing a complex empire building simulation like 'Sid Meier's Civilization' will make me smarter or should I begin training for a future in astrophysics with 'WWF Raw Smackdown'?
Personally I belive that any game worth it's salt, video or otherwise, will exercise reasoning ability but I haven't seen any study measure it to my satisfaction.
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Re: No Subject Given
In any game your brain is doing something (outputting) most of the time, even if that is trying to time you button smashes. Sort of mental exercise.
When watching TV your brain is doing nothing, most of the time.
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Re: watching tv
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Aging process
I also believe that games do make you smarter, but you cannot limit yourself to one genre. I play every genre except sports (never really got into them), and I'm a pretty sharp guy, according to most people I know.
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Re: Aging process
-Sponsored by the Anti-JackThompson-highschool-dropouts-getting-their-GED-first-try!
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Re: Aging process
Just a thought kiddos.
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Nerds?
Also, being nerds, they are smarter than other people anyway. So both the points don't really have any merit until you actually delve into a study. But yes, certain video games do improve reasoning and problem solving. And yes, it is much better than watching tv.
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Re: Nerds?
I have been playing video games since I was 3. I am now 26, that is 23 years of gaming. If I were to completely shave all my facial hair I could pass for 19-20.
As for your statement about all gamers being nerds... When was the last time you met a gamer? I am not even close to being a nerd. In high school I was a straight C student, and am also a college drop out, BUT then again Bill Gates was a drop out as well.
I am the head of the IT department for my company. Funny thing is the way i got my job. I went to a friends house for a little Halo 2 network party. I was the one to set up the network and the host's girlfriend saw how knowledgable I was and asked if I was looking for a job. 2 weeks later I started.
So not only did video games help my hand-eye-coordination and increase my ability to multitask, they got me my career.
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Video Games Promoting Intelligence
CLEARLY THE BEST EXPLANATION COMES FROM:
Nerds?
by Anonymous Coward on Thursday, February 9th, 2006 @ 09:02PM...
video games attract intelligent/highly intelligent students..
(I'm surprised that no one else got this self-evident explanation that leaps to mind IMMEDIATELY!!!)
to show that video games CAUSED people to be more intelligent...god, do you realize what would entailed with control groups, and eliminating exogenous factors???
take care,
matt,
ps...
THE ALTERNATIVE IS NOT TV...it is READING!!! (great literature, etc..)
IMAGINE if gamers read great literature instead..
take care,
matt
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Re: Video Games Promoting Intelligence
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Re: Video Games Promoting Intelligence
As stated, their study concludes that people who play videogames are smarter. This could mean that the video games made them smarter or it could mean that smart people were attracted to the videogames or something completely different.
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Re: Video Games Promoting Intelligence
Whether you call me smart or not, I sure feel mentally dopy if I don't engage in some video gaming every now and then. As long as you don't adict your self, or take the game too seriously, I think it can be pretty healthy!
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Re: Video Games Promoting Intelligence
The whole thing is just one big tangle of circular logic and can't possibly be measured accurately.
Video games are cool and within reason can be entertaining and even fun, we should leave it at that and stop trying to justify wasting 4hrs. a day playing WoW!
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Re: Video Games Promoting Intelligence
Heavy on circular reasoning.
If you are intelligent, any sort of heavy mental activity will keep you "younger".
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Re: Video Games Promoting Intelligence
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Re: Video Games Promoting Intelligence
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Re: reading
means of conveying thoughts and ideas.
One of the greatest utilities of the
Internet so far is storage of and access
to the written word.
Also, book with some markers in it or (GASP!)
dog eared, is a better faster reference than
a CD containing a four hour interactive
multimedia extravaganza.
If you can read and comprehend all that other
crap just slows you down. (Insert the occasional
diagram as needed.) Remedial classes are in order.
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Re: Video Games Promoting Intelligence
Interactivity on most games is merely a matter of finding either the correct timing of buttons to push or the equivelent of finding what shaped peg to put in which shaped hole. It doesn't matter which senses are involved (in games, sight is really invlved 99.9% of the time)
Try challenging your mind with a book that actually makes you think and explore the ideas in your own life.
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No Subject Given
1. They both are relaxing to most.
2. They both challenge your mind, however reading is even less interactive, less social compared to online games(MMORPG, 1v1, online combat (BF2) )... etc.
3. Reading is only 2 colors...whereas games are up to what 16 trillion colors.
Trust me I enjoy doing both, games and reading, but I read for reference not entertainment.
-J
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Re: No Subject Given
Jack Thompson is a moron. I've seen kids bond to be even closer friends because of gaming. If its the parents who don't approve, they are responsible for their child, and I've never seen a kid "hide a game" from their parents.
Whenever you have a child, its best to keep the computer/console in a place where you can check up on your child anyway, and you should always be interested in what they are doing. The government should not regulate something like this.
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Video Games.......
And tho I've never doubted his intelligence, or that of most "gamers" ... Sometimes I wonder when they
are going to figuer out that there really is more to life than the TV/moniter, blackbox/computer and that
lifelne/controller......I've said it a million times
(at least!) GIVE IT A REST!!!!!!
Pesti
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No Subject Given
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No Subject Given
MikeS
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No Subject Given
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Re: No Subject Given
i really dig CS:S, played ataris growing up.
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Too much to respond to . . .
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