It's not just situations such as problem solving where games may help us. Some people have games that help them relax, if they we in such situations as getting ready for a speech, entering an exam (terrible example!), or basically any situation where you are stressed or nervous you could think back on an experience that you were or are quite fond of and it can actually be pretty helpful in making you mellow out.
Some may argue this but games keep us form going insane!
Yes, well I think it's easier to argue what games can do for people individually. But I think the new focus of examining games from a sociological point of view will be what individual gamers can do for other people. I still think it's all a tad optimistic. But obviously the video game industry shows no sign of slowing down and in many ways has become way more relevant than movies so I think these kinds of theories need to be explored further.
You make a good point about real life not necessarily having a solution or that there may be things that simply aren't doable. I think even if there are lots of limitations to gamers as a potential resource, there is also a lot of unrealized potential within them. And I think that's a lot of what she's trying to say.
But since we know that gamers won't really solve the world, I think the idea was to at least propose that maybe they could because in the form of a game that is mirroring real life situations like the ones she talked about toward the end, many of the gamers come up with really innovative solutions. So even if they weren't solving everything, they could become an integral part at least toward problem solving.
I was curious about what some of you thought of it. Are gamers a wealth of untapped human resources and skills? Could the skills learned in video games be applied to real life one day in order to improve the world?
I think at the very least, we should not underestimate how relevant video games are in our culture. I'm also willing to admit we are way behind in sociological research for gamers and video games. I think the woman in this presentation may be...a tad optimistic about what gamers can do for the world, however.
I agree that many gamers probably play games because they are more interesting and engaging than real life. But it's really hard to say what the overall impact of games on society may be as of now especially since the video gaming industry is changing so rapidly and the demographics of gamers is becoming more counter-intuitive. At any rate, this lady presents some really interesting ideas that I think are worth considering.
Also I gotta admit, there are plenty of times in real life where I cited something I've done in a game as a possible solution toward something I might have done in real life. Not always directly so, but I've at least drawn on experiences I've had from games to influence my decision making processes.
Siaynoq's Playthroughs
Siaynoq's Playthroughs
Siaynoq's Playthroughs
But since we know that gamers won't really solve the world, I think the idea was to at least propose that maybe they could because in the form of a game that is mirroring real life situations like the ones she talked about toward the end, many of the gamers come up with really innovative solutions. So even if they weren't solving everything, they could become an integral part at least toward problem solving.
Also, haven't you played the game Microcosm? LOL
Siaynoq's Playthroughs
http://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_gaming_can_make_a_better_world.html
I was curious about what some of you thought of it. Are gamers a wealth of untapped human resources and skills? Could the skills learned in video games be applied to real life one day in order to improve the world?
I think at the very least, we should not underestimate how relevant video games are in our culture. I'm also willing to admit we are way behind in sociological research for gamers and video games. I think the woman in this presentation may be...a tad optimistic about what gamers can do for the world, however.
I agree that many gamers probably play games because they are more interesting and engaging than real life. But it's really hard to say what the overall impact of games on society may be as of now especially since the video gaming industry is changing so rapidly and the demographics of gamers is becoming more counter-intuitive. At any rate, this lady presents some really interesting ideas that I think are worth considering.
Also I gotta admit, there are plenty of times in real life where I cited something I've done in a game as a possible solution toward something I might have done in real life. Not always directly so, but I've at least drawn on experiences I've had from games to influence my decision making processes.
Siaynoq's Playthroughs