"Expert" on the today show says playing video games in your 30s is not normal

[Berserker]

I think at this point it's an outmoded view that deserves neither anger nor attention.

[Duke.Togo]

Being rich and appearing on network morning TV shows isn't normal. Can't think of the last time anyone I know was in that situation. I'm sure he is just fine with being abnormal in that sense, and so am I in another.

[pixelsnpolygons]

Well if Kathy Lee thinks its weird there has to be some weight to the argument.

[TonyTheTiger]

What do you guys think?

I think that the video game constituency really has to grow up and stop throwing a hissy fit every single time somebody out there says something remotely negative about the hobby.

I'm not singling out this topic, since it was particularly even-tempered, but whenever I see this kind of stuff happen in general, a common response is flagrant posturing and anger indicative of a huge inferiority complex on the part of the entire industry. As if video game players have the most easily hurt pride of any sub-group in modern culture.

Some people don't like your shit. Big fucking deal, am I right?

[Icarus Moonsight]

Pretty much. The guy is on daytime TV. Consider the source, move along.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

I think at this point it's an outmoded view that deserves neither anger nor attention.

Yeah this.

It's just someone's opinion.

[Diatribal Deity]

I think that the video game constituency really has to grow up and stop throwing a hissy fit every single time somebody out there says something remotely negative about the hobby.

I'm not singling out this topic, since it was particularly even-tempered, but whenever I see this kind of stuff happen in general, a common response is flagrant posturing and anger indicative of a huge inferiority complex on the part of the entire industry. As if video game players have the most easily hurt pride of any sub-group in modern culture.

Some people don't like your shit. Big fucking deal, am I right?

Much truth to what you said but...I am more concerned with these "talking heads" who state something that can perpetuate or even plant impressions into people. Despite the fact, with a little research their own credibility generally is compromised or a joke.

We mostly see this in the political realm. But it is very dangerous and ultimately destructive. I think the main frustration is many are influenced by these "experts" regardless of the outlet. We would hope most people see right through them, problem is the majority probably do not.

Regardless of the subject matter and the fact that everyone has a right to their opinion, the ramifications of their statements can be very detrimental.

[Zing]

Could you imagine this show bringing someone on to talk in the same manner about NASCAR?

[kedawa]

NASCAR fans wouldn't even know they were being insulted.

[Glitch695]

When I was in my speech class in high school, I did a presentation on why video games were art, and why they could stand side by side with movies or books as a valid form of entertainment.
I spent a good 3 weeks putting it together, and giving a damn good speech only to be told by my patronizing teacher that 'you did a good job trying to persuade us, but let me know when Shakespeare writes Donkey Kong'(may have been Mario, it's been a decade).
My point being, if you didn't grow up playing them, or your only opinion of video gamers is that of a frat boy playing Halo and Mario Kart, you will never be won over. And that's ok, because as far as I'm concerned I'd rather play FF Tactics or River City Ransom than read most Shakespeare. At any age.

[Gapporin]

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I think that the video game constituency really has to grow up and stop throwing a hissy fit every single time somebody out there says something remotely negative about the hobby.

I'm not singling out this topic, since it was particularly even-tempered, but whenever I see this kind of stuff happen in general, a common response is flagrant posturing and anger indicative of a huge inferiority complex on the part of the entire industry. As if video game players have the most easily hurt pride of any sub-group in modern culture.

Some people don't like your shit. Big fucking deal, am I right?

Thanks for keeping us in line. We certainly don't want anyone to get angry and start cussing.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Could you imagine this show bringing someone on to talk in the same manner about NASCAR?

Well NASCAR's different because only idiots like that.

[genesisguy]

It's ironic that Kathy Lee is giving women advice on how to pick men.

When she was 33 she married a man old enough to be her father. So maybe she just has some deep hatred towards men in their 30s?

She was publically ok with her husband's affairs but I wonder if she woulda dropped his ass if she caught him playing video games?

[dystopian]

Thanks for keeping us in line. We certainly don't want anyone to get angry and start cussing.

I don't necessarily agree entirely with his point, as it is only natural to become defensive when you are stereotyped or accused of something as pejorative as "loserdom", but cussing is fun, and I think it was used casually. (note: I have a mouth like a sailor).

That being said, video games most certainly are art. In fact, I've written a major research paper for my master's degree which essentially juxtaposes the narrative and sub-narrative particularly (the Dreams) within Lost Odyssey to the notions promoted by Thomas More in Utopia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_studies

One of my recently graduated cohort was really into ludology and her entire thesis is concerning this area of academic study.

TMYK!!

[binici]

Pretty much. The guy is on daytime TV. Consider the source, move along.

Do you know how many people have no jobs right now and are watching this? Thousands of people, so their brains are being filled with this junk, which we all know can have a deep impact.

I feel like when I play at least an hour that I have ful-filled my gaming and any more time spent would be a waste (I tend to play easier games now). Ah, sooooo many games, soooooo little time!

[otaku]

How is it any different than watching movies or any other entertainment medium? Only way I see games as a problem is if they get in the way of more important matters of life (family, work etc)

[Lerxstnj]

Now at age 44, I believe that video games are the best use of a television.

[TonyTheTiger]

(Double post)

[TonyTheTiger]

and I think it was used casually.

Thank you. Why that wasn't obvious from the post is mindboggling considering the context. My overall point is that there isn't a reason to get bent out of shape and I just like saying "fuck" a lot.

Do you know how many people have no jobs right now and are watching this? Thousands of people, so their brains are being filled with this junk, which we all know can have a deep impact.

But you know, I'd rather have most of the planet hate the hobby and have the niche fanbase actually not care about that and do their thing than what we seem to have now where we watch Kotaku or IGN turn into the Crucible whenever Roger Ebert opens his mouth. Besides, I think that whole "games are under attack" thing is generally just fearmongering. Rock and Roll was under attack once, too. I'm sure motion pictures had similar experiences back in the day. Television went through it. Hell, at the time, Shakespeare was considered low brow by his contemporaries. And he actually was. Part of the reason he's so popular today is because if there's one cardinal rule it's that throughout the ages nobody ever gets tired of dick jokes.

This is just a drop in the bucket.