Why not just play video games all day?

[preventingdiabetes]

23 minutes ago, Matt23 said:

Would it really fulfill you? 

I'm wagering that it would eat away at your happiness and fulfillment in life and you'd end up becoming depressed and just miserable.  

You'd probably also get bored of it real-quick.  Like, video games all day, every day, for months, even just weeks, on end... how long do you really think that would last before you got sick of it?  

@Matt23

Hmm, that's the thing - I don't know. 

What if my Life Purpose was to play video games? But I guess Life Purpose has the impact component, which this would lack. Playing video games all day wouldn't have an impact on society. Is it sort of hardwired into us that we feel happy when we feel like we have a Life Purpose that impacts society? Is that why @Leo Gura emphasizes impact so much?
 

[preventingdiabetes]

I'm probably deluding myself

[AtheisticNonduality]

2 hours ago, Leo Gura said:

Why not jerk off all day with a heroin IV while floating in a bathtub of liquid chocolate?

Cause heroin reduces your appetite and your libido.

[dearleo123]

@Leo Gura  Someone didn't try NoFap for more than a week it seems. As much as people want to deny it, the biochemistry (yes yes, the 'imagined' biochemistry) represented by jerking off is tonnes different than that with a real woman. Jerking off, particularly to porn, fucks your brain up. Heavily, and to say otherwise is an extremely short sighted opinion. To compare that to a focus state and cognitive buffering of videogames, which never amounts to such high levels of dopamine and consequent prolactin release is... inaccurate to say the least

[Gesundheit2]

You only reap what you sow.

[LarryJustin]

For me no. It's not possible to play video games all day. But 2-5 hours per day is possible. 

[Nos7algiK]

This is no real answer to this. I wouldn't allow other's opinions that you should be focused on something else scare you, but at the same time it's very possible you should.

I've played a lot of games in my life. It's one of my favorite past times. Though, I still get my responsibilities done my free time is usually gaming. All things carry perks if you have a healthy relationship with it. On the side I did personal development work, but it wasn't a massive dedication. Even with my extensive gaming I was able to have non-dual experiences and get my self to a very stable and acceptable well...self lol.

For many years I wondered if my extensive gaming was actually a hinderance. I would say at one point it was about a decade ago when it no longer was playing games for fun but playing them to escape depression. After having experiences on psychedelics I've accepted this is just part of who I am and there is zero reason to demonize them or believe I should invest time else where. Besides life things I still prioritize my relationship over gaming and when I can go out and do something fun that still will be done as well.

But, this is my own experience and I'm sure there are situations or mindsets that may not do as well as myself or even better I suppose. I only say this because what we should and could do is not universal. As long as you are personally enjoying the gaming and it's not because you are trying to escape something then I say more power to you on that one. Though, it should lived through with an open mind for there may be an experience in life you haven't had yet that may be more interesting to you than gaming. Should I say, don't just game but still try new things when you can.

I'll add, when I literally only played video games and got high outside of working my job at the time. Life became very dull. Gaming became my worst enemy and a massive amount of money was spent always attempting to chase new experiences because games would get boring. This would cause an even worse feeling because I was realizing my attempts to force happiness through gaming was failing, thus I felt like there was nothing I could do. I took a healthy break, got into personal development, and started to dabble in psychedelics and this mindset fixed itself.

Edited August 31, 2021 by Nos7algiK

[Matt23]

1 hour ago, preventingdiabetes said:

@Matt23

Hmm, that's the thing - I don't know. 

What if my Life Purpose was to play video games? But I guess Life Purpose has the impact component, which this would lack. Playing video games all day wouldn't have an impact on society. Is it sort of hardwired into us that we feel happy when we feel like we have a Life Purpose that impacts society? Is that why @Leo Gura emphasizes impact so much?

Just do what is most meaningful to you.  That which brings about that feeling of deep love in your heart.  

Do what you'd think you'd be most proud of.

Do you really want to look back on your life and all you strove for was playing video games?

I mean, go for it if that's the truth.  But I doubt it. 

 

[preventingdiabetes]

@Nos7algiK @Matt23

Would you say that playing video games is a hedonic pursuit? Or can it be eudaimonic? 

[Nos7algiK]

18 minutes ago, preventingdiabetes said:

@Nos7algiK @Matt23

Would you say that playing video games is a hedonic pursuit? Or can it be eudaimonic? 

I believe that is answer is strictly relative. In today's modern world you could attempt to turn your enjoyment of video games into a streaming or YouTube career. Though it's easier said than done, it's still a viable option that I would consider could be a LP. You get to enjoy your hobby, bring entertainment to others, and get paid if you are successful.

If I wasn't in a relationship I would highly consider doing this myself.

Edited August 31, 2021 by Nos7algiK

[Revolutionary Think]

3 hours ago, Leo Gura said:

There is no difference between jerking off and video games in terms of flow state.

What do you "learn" when jerking off about strategy and how to use all your skills in a way you progress? 

[preventingdiabetes]

@Nos7algiK

What if I'm not trying to make a Life Purpose out of it?

[Nos7algiK]

12 minutes ago, preventingdiabetes said:

@Nos7algiK

What if I'm not trying to make a Life Purpose out of it?

There is no "need" to make a life purpose out of it. Honestly doing so could destroy the very thing you love. As long as your day to day needs are being met, you aren't neglecting family/friends to play games, and this isn't an escape from reality of some sort then all is well if that's what makes you well. You do not "need" to achieve anything that society deems successful in order to live out a happy life. You are free to do as you wish. Feeling the need to accomplish something grand could result in you wasting years of your life trying to fill that void only to realize it never was you in the first place that wanted this grand thing to happen.

If you are content with gaming, game long as your needs are met. If one day opportunity presents itself or you find a passion outside of gaming, go for it. I do suggest not holding yourself back from new experiences when they are available, but that doesn't mean you need to go out on an adventure every day of your life lol. 

I'd say what is very important in all of this is accepting this is who you are, if this is truly who you are. If you are the person who likes to game in a healthy way, then accept that and never doubt it. Don't let others take away your hobby and passion. But, if you look inside of yourself and see that you wanting to game may be fueled by something else. Then I would try to find the core of that issue, fix it, and see if you still feel the same way about gaming after.

Edited August 31, 2021 by Nos7algiK

[Matt23]

1 hour ago, preventingdiabetes said:

@Nos7algiK @Matt23

Would you say that playing video games is a hedonic pursuit? Or can it be eudaimonic? 

I guess my gut-instinct would say probably more hedonic. 

But also things aren't black and white.  Like, it depends how you use it.  But the way you described how you want to do it sounds hedonic to me; all the time.  But I can see how it could also be a form of self-love if you just need a break from life. 

In possibility land, ya, sure, maybe there's some guy who's highest form of joy and love is playing video games. But in reality, I don't think so.  

 

[mmKay]

@preventingdiabetesi ment " Wisen up" as explained in this vid : 

 

[hyruga]

1 hour ago, preventingdiabetes said:

@Nos7algiK

What if I'm not trying to make a Life Purpose out of it?

See if you can pursue a career in gaming. There are professional gamers who earn a lot for a living.

[Leo Gura]

5 hours ago, preventingdiabetes said:

I'm probably deluding myself

That's the smartest thing out of your mouth.

Stick with that.

[Revolutionary Think]

24 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

smartest thing out of your mouth

Well technically out of his mind into his fingers 

[Leo Gura]

9 minutes ago, Revolutionary Think said:

Well technically out of his mind into his fingers 

Don't get mouthy with me or I'll finger you.

[Revolutionary Think]

Anyway in all honesty the problem I find with video games is this as a big gamer during my teens and twenties. After you beat the final boss or final puzzle or final (fill in the blank) you get a sense of accomplishment and then you go back to your life and nothings changed in it. Then you go back to the game and you finish it 100% collecting everything doing all the side quests, getting the collectibles, finding and beating the secret bosses etc. then... you go right back to that feeling of OK what else??? Then you pick up a new one same process. Although it is fun in some of them where they have a god mode or you totally maxed out everything and you go back to level one to experiment and play around... then you go right back to that OK NEXT sort of feeling. 

It's a very empty feeling after that... That empty feeling SUCKS! That's from personal experience. I myself am building a body of work on cyberspace of philosophy, science, and human psychology I want to be proud of and people can remember me for. That's part of my life purpose. It's fulfilling too.