General Discussion

Sorry, I haven't had time to read the whole topic, but this happened to me as well. And actually I think they do it unintenionally, it's like many said, as stupid as it might sound, what we don't know we fear, I've had friends who have been TV whores, and then they have tried X360 at someones place, bought it, and now they also abandon the tv more often for an intense match of CoD4 etc.

Your hobby is no more of a waste of time than any other activity that is partaken in by an individual. As long as you find some kind of enjoyment in it. As long as it doesn't eventually become hazardous to your health or well-being, you'll be fine. Just make sure you take moderation in things you do, as addiction is never a good thing. These stupid television shows are simply the result of the common, null-brained, self-centered, devious American citizen's desire for watching others fulfilling the dreams they always wanted to have come true themselves.

Like I said, nothing is a "bad hobby" as long as it isn't physically or emotionally hurting you or others around you. Like everything else, just take it in moderation. One or two hours a day is perfectly fine.

From my own archives of personal experiences, Ive found a great way to shut people up about it.

When I first started playing mmos in the late 90s I was in my early 20s and I loved it. I went crazy for eq, perhaps a bit too crazy. Regardless, I remember seeing people calling MMOs the next "devil", I saw parents on talk shows saying its ruining their childs life, I saw people calling for it to be called an addiction, and its absolutely crazy.

However as my hobby kept on, and I spent more and more time doing it , I got well....fat.

A number of years ago I was watching the movie "The New Guy" and I saw some really fat kid wearing an EQ Tshirt, and I realized I too was only helping to perpetuate the stereotype. So after some brainstorming I decided to buy a weight bench and some weights and put th em in my basement next to the comp. Whenever I have downtime, or are between parties and waiting for an invite, its a perfect time to crank out some reps.

Fast forward to about 3 years later, Ive gotten in a lot better shape, probably better shape than Ive ever been in. So as a tribute to my still favorite hobby, I like to buy MMO shirts to wear when I play sports with people. People often ask me things like "whats Everquest?" or what in the world is SoW? (I have an old Tshirt from the height of EQs popularity that says "Got Sow?".

I always chuckle, look them straight in the eye and say "its an online video game." And strangely when you have bigger biceps than someone getting ready to chastise you, the moment passes with the smart ass comment dying on their lips.

The moral of this story? If we break the stereotype that follows MMO players it'll become more socially acceptable. And then, and only then, will people finally as they say STFU.

They probably think that sitting around and watching TV with their family constitutes a form of social/family interaction.  Yes MMOing does have a social aspect to it but they do not see it as such because you are not in physical proximity to the person your are interacting with.

As a parent I can see their point to an extent but if they really gave a $hit they would shut off the TV and go outside for a bit :) maybe take an interest in your life and learn how to communicate themselves before judging what you do in your free time.

Anyhow get another system and do some LAN gaming with them at home.  That'll show them just how social gaming can be.  I do it with my kids and its great fun!

Also with regards to gaming being a waste of time.  I have MMOing via old school SWG to thank for teaching me a great deal of what I needed to know about internet commerce, in particular Ebay.  This makes up a nice portion of my income now.... all thanks to MMOing

Never had this problem to be honest. I spend a lot of my time doing the following, art, playing games, all terrain boarding, biking, and hiking.

My dad plays games, my brother, sisters, and most of my relatives ( Im half greek so I have alot of relatives lol). All of my friends play games as well. I think gaming became a popular pass time and a socially acceptable one a long time ago theres just a few people that are still living in the past that deem it socially unacceptable, or detrimental to your health.

I have gotten more flack for all terrain boarding and biking than I have for gaming, apparently it is stupid to risk my health doing it. It's probably correct though I have broken both my wrists, my nose, arm, and a leg doing those sports ;p

The only thing that has been detrimental to me when gaming is a sore arse from setting down for too long lol

Welcome to the world of illogical beings! And now consider that fact and then add some parents who do their best to stay in way of my gaming "addiction". For some reason they don't get very pissed off because my sister spend around twice the time watching TV and she doesn't even help with anything in the house. Oh well, enough whining from my side.

I've never understood it personally. I suppose however that it may have something to do with the fact that the community, and media, presents games as something that comes in the way of the rest of your life. And thus it's a waste of time when you obviously could spend your time doing much better things! Like... sitting and staring out of the window and wondering why no one says that you doesn't have a life now?

i love it when someone drills me for being a gamer and they are some skater dude who does nothing (and i mean nothing) but skate around.

i respect everyones choice of hobby and try not to get involved in conversations on this topic (as ultimately you will like/dislike the person regardless of what they do in their spare time).  however when someone attacks me for my hobby then i dont counter them with why gaming is fun i counter them in why i have a hobby in the first place.

"gaming is so pointless most of you are fat and have no friends"

my response would be:  i have a hobby to keep me interested during my spare time.  occationally this takes the form of a game or a sport.  there are fat people who enjoy a wide variety of hobbies and i dont see why you need to generalise or judge me on my hobby,

great threads...

I too am sick of the BS that ppl say. At work when i tell them my hobbies they treat it like its stupid or dumb.

My hobbies are MMO's, Anime ( i have lots), playing softball for my church league, and basketball for same, and playing golf.

What are thier hobbies? Gettign drunk and wasting money (especially when there arent any chicks around, relaity shows, going to malls with no intention to buy anything, etc. PPPFFFFFTTTT

At least im doing something constructive with my time......and with great communities in the MMO world!

Everyone has their different opinions on hobbies, some people don't agree with each others past times but still, if what you like doing is your hobby then who cares what other people think, if you like it do it. It may not be the 'coolest' thing but really if its enjoyable i say do it xP