Social intolerance for gaming as a hobby

[Lisnpuppy]

@AJunkMailBin

Seriously, great post.

 

So there are actually two major stereotypes (probably more, but those which resurfaced yet) that making gamer some sort of social exile:

1. Pretty much what HeyYou said: dirty, stupid animal leaving in a basement.

2. What AJunkMailBin said: hobby for kids.

 

Now first one is pretty widespread stereotype, but it's mostly fairtale type of person. Those are extreme types of behaviour which maybe only 2 or 5% of gamers actually can follow. And It's really hard, at least being adult person and living like this... money and food don't grow on trees in basements, right? But why it's so widespread, like every other gamer is just like that...

 

Second one is also true, but problem is there aren't really older people like this, it's 20-30 YO popultion, which faced the era of tech progress in terms of computers. Why is it still so popular opinion, that person who plays games is immature by default?...

 

You, guys, saying that these stereotypes should be fough with actions, and some obvious observations that gamer can be intelligent and well-spoken person (like it's so rare or alien... c'mon). Big problem is that when said group of people doesn't know about your gaming hobby, their relation towards you is at neutral-good, but if they find out about your hobby it quickly shifts to chaotic-evil. Ok, that sounds too nerdy... To be serious, it's not like people start telling you in your face how dumb, kid or basement dweller you are, but you somehow feel shift in their attitude towards you, it's really hard to miss, and most importantly gaming topics are taboo to discuss. It's much more oreferable to just keep it to yourself and everyone will perceive you as normal, average person. Telling how you got drunk on weekend and belched so hard that you neighbor jumped out of his shoes is fine, but telling how you enjoyed some Dreamfall Chapters or Pillars of Eternity story is no-no, red geek label is already in your face as soon as you start talking.

Sad...

=/

 

 

That is probably true with many groups of people. The same could be said about people that have any number of hobbies. Say someone spent all their free time building ships in a bottle? Or they still collected stamps. People in this day and age would probably think that was bizarre too. And maybe in certain social circles I wouldn't share I was a gamer. But there are lot of things I wouldn't share about my personal life in certain social circles.

 

I don't know though, how you would expect anyone in particular or society in general to perceive gamers as anything but how they do, if you do not offer them an alternate perspective? It isn't going to change itself. Unfortunately we also now have the entire internet to combat from so-called gamers telling people off and telling them to go and die and other lovely things.

 

People are judgmental about things they do not know. People base opinion on limited or no experience. People sometimes make erroneous categorization of things. Either you continue to keep your mouth shut in social gatherings or you let people get to know you as many things, one of which is a gamer.

[Signette]

@Lisnpuppy

I'm sure that if you said that you are stamp collector or building ship-models (inside anything) in most society circles you will be perceived from "a little bit wierd" to the point where ppl may actually be interested in that stuff and see these hobbies as completely normal or amazing. It's obvious that stereotypes of *gamer* are much worse in non-gamer circles. Thing is, IF that would be some really rare or specific stuff than I would agree, but it's NOT. As I pointed out in my first post: todays gaming is everywhere, I don't know a single person who hasn't games on his phone at least, and he's probably have few more on his facebook page. Even my grandma knows what Mortal Kombat is.

 

Current attitude towards gaming seriously smells like hypocrisy and and some unhealthy degree of elitism. People generally have a good idea about gaming and what it is, so it's not that alien, and it's pointless to prove in society that while a gamer you still are a decent person... seriously? Do I have to redeem myself for those inhuman crimes? It doesn't even sounds sane. =/

[MajKrAzAm]

Video games have always been and will always be commodities tailored to the lowest common denominator. It always amuses me how personally invested some people become when you point out video games for what they are: escapist, poorly written, man-child entertainment. Probably because most of them have too much free time, and yet zero real hobbies.

I see a lot of young kids headed this way, all they do is play video games and watch video game Youtube channels. They struggle to talk about anything other than video games. While the normal kids are awkwardly flirting and learning social skills, these kids just want to play on their phones so they can listen to video game soundtracks or whatever.

One of my friends has a kid like this. He is morbidly obese, and had a high-pitched voice from excess estrogen. All he ever does is talk about video games. He had this sneering contempt for all of his classmates, who he assumed were stupid because they cared about athletics and girls instead of intellectual pursuits like video games and anime cartoons. When some of the nicer kids would try to talk to him about video games, he'd call them stupid for playing popular games like Call of Duty instead of obscure games. The internet really makes it worse, because he could get on Steam and talk to dozens of other kids just as lost as he was and not feel alienated. He had zero motivation to improve himself, no real life friends, and zero dating prospects. But he was arrogant as hell.

[Ethreon]

People with low self esteem need to either boast their fortunes (usually material ones), or make others feel inferior to them in order to feel good about themselves. It's usually a sign of poor education (not necessarily financially lacking families). What can we do about it.. ignore and move on. I decided long ago to really carefully admit people in my life, and worked well enough so far :)

 

And if anyone has a problem with me gaming, can go suck it.

[Lisnpuppy]

@Lisnpuppy

I'm sure that if you said that you are stamp collector or building ship-models (inside anything) in most society circles you will be perceived from "a little bit wierd" to the point where ppl may actually be interested in that stuff and see these hobbies as completely normal or amazing. It's obvious that stereotypes of *gamer* are much worse in non-gamer circles. Thing is, IF that would be some really rare or specific stuff than I would agree, but it's NOT. As I pointed out in my first post: todays gaming is everywhere, I don't know a single person who hasn't games on his phone at least, and he's probably have few more on his facebook page. Even my grandma knows what Mortal Kombat is.

 

Current attitude towards gaming seriously smells like hypocrisy and and some unhealthy degree of elitism. People generally have a good idea about gaming and what it is, so it's not that alien, and it's pointless to prove in society that while a gamer you still are a decent person... seriously? Do I have to redeem myself for those inhuman crimes? It doesn't even sounds sane. =/

 

I didn't say anything about redeeming oneself. Most people that think this are not some elitist scum. I know there was a time when books or novels or rock music or movies were seen not as having something to add to society. They were simple entertainment and couldn't possibly have anything to say. We know now that is wrong but it didn't just happen overnight. Games are in that same place. People are trying to work out what place and impact they have. And even us "gamers" can't decide that sometimes. And you assume most people "know" what gaming is about. I say most people don't.

 

I like to think I am many things one of which is a gamer. I am a mother. I am a tutor. I also am an avid book reader. I like to dabble in things scientific. I have a history degree and can set out the battle between Alexander the Great and multiple opposites with table condiments (which I admit is weird.) I don't think you go out of your way to scream hey I am a gamer AND actually a great/intelligent/whatever person because you have something to prove...I say maybe you share more that you are a gamer and it starts to change how people view gamers. Not at that first after-work drink with the boss maybe..but yeah eventually.

 

I am 44 and I have seen a lot in my life. I've never had a problem with who I am, what I enjoy. I have gone from really backward and socially awkward kid with medical issues, to band geek, drummer, metal head, grunge girl, I have a degree in History with minors in English Lit and Anthropology...I've worked in bookstores, with long-term drug abusers and in auto insurance. I am all about the off the beaten path and have never really cared after I was no longer that socially awkward kid.

 

I don't feel I have to prove anything to anyone. However if I have something to share, I am going to be able to stand up to and stand up for anything I share. You aren't going to change perceptions without showing a different view. Period. Whatever reason you think or imagine folks are like this...well does it matter? You don't want to change it...well that is fine also. If someone really wants to know me and be part of my life..they are either going to learn about me or go away. I don't give a tinker's damn one way or the other. But I also am not going to just stand by and let people make incorrect assumptions when I am at a point to give more information. I'm not going to hide my video game light behind a bushel. After that, they can do what they want with it. Chances are, people hear someone is a gamer, make a joke and then forget about it the next time they catch their own reflection in the mirror.

 

edited a typo driving me nuts!

[bben46]

My grandkids think it's cool that I play games. :tongue:

[Lisnpuppy]

My grandkids think it's cool that I play games. :tongue:

 

Yeah all my kids (on this issue at least) and their friends think I am the "cool Mom" because I can play and talk to them about games. lol

[HeyYou]

 

My grandkids think it's cool that I play games. :tongue:

 

Yeah all my kids (on this issue at least) and their friends think I am the "cool Mom" because I can play and talk to them about games. lol

 

Maybe that's the answer..... Gamers just need to wait a generation or two, to become accepted as part of society, and not just from the bottom dwellers that actually DO live in mama's basement, and spend 24/7 in front of a selection of monitors. :D

[Lisnpuppy]

 

 

My grandkids think it's cool that I play games. :tongue:

 

Yeah all my kids (on this issue at least) and their friends think I am the "cool Mom" because I can play and talk to them about games. lol

 

Maybe that's the answer..... Gamers just need to wait a generation or two, to become accepted as part of society, and not just from the bottom dwellers that actually DO live in mama's basement, and spend 24/7 in front of a selection of monitors. :D

 

 

GO MY FELLOW GAMERS! GO FORTH AND PROCREATE!!

[Signette]

Well, that's actually was a good point about: 'books or novels or rock music or movies' being treated like something alien before, I guess few generations may improve state of gaming as a hobby, probably something new will pop-up playing role of social laughing stock instead, but for now we're stuck with what we have...

And yeah, it's really inspiring to see adult, intelligent, experienced and well-spoken gamers here. :blush:

 

 

Video games have always been and will always be commodities tailored to the lowest common denominator. It always amuses me how personally invested some people become when you point out video games for what they are: escapist, poorly written, man-child entertainment. Probably because most of them have too much free time, and yet zero real hobbies.

I see a lot of young kids headed this way, all they do is play video games and watch video game Youtube channels. They struggle to talk about anything other than video games. While the normal kids are awkwardly flirting and learning social skills, these kids just want to play on their phones so they can listen to video game soundtracks or whatever.

One of my friends has a kid like this. He is morbidly obese, and had a high-pitched voice from excess estrogen. All he ever does is talk about video games. He had this sneering contempt for all of his classmates, who he assumed were stupid because they cared about athletics and girls instead of intellectual pursuits like video games and anime cartoons. When some of the nicer kids would try to talk to him about video games, he'd call them stupid for playing popular games like Call of Duty instead of obscure games. The internet really makes it worse, because he could get on Steam and talk to dozens of other kids just as lost as he was and not feel alienated. He had zero motivation to improve himself, no real life friends, and zero dating prospects. But he was arrogant as hell.

 

That's interesting, but I think actual gaming playing a little role here. It's just a kid with set specific behaviour, he could be geeky book-worm, fan of some musical genre and be just like that, and his lack of testosterone truly isn't really tied to his interests I reckon, haha. The problem raises when such persons are tied to average gamer archetype and even if you are completely different person, you may be treated just like this kid because of stereotypes rock hard set in minds. There are also pointed out other kids in this post who behave normally and play games like Call of Duty, isn't that making them gamers too? Than why first kid is "true-gamer" archetype by default? I think that's the main problem here.