January 28, 2010
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A Confession and a Plan
I have a confession. I play Pogo games. I can manufacture several reasons why or excuses, take your pick. I don’t like Crossword puzzles much. They always feel as though they have language of their own. However, I love playing Boggle and Scrabble and since those games are solitaire games, I play them on line, either with a cheating computer or non-cheating humans. The same holds true for euchre and backgammon. I argue that they exercise my brain and are good for me. I can’t say the same thing for the puzzle games, Zuma and Bejeweled which don’t take much thinking but are point and click and rather mind numbing rather than mind stimulating. I’m not proud of this current obsession (and yes, I confess, it is an obsession) but there it is. I could argue that these silly games give my mind a chance to wander and rest but they really are a waste of time. I get the same sort of mind wandering washing dishes or running the vacuum or dusting or just sitting still (which has enormous value, I think.)
One of the many YA authors I admire is Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak. She suggested recently in her blog, Madwoman in the Forest, that we have a blog-free February. She poses the question how much time do we spend on the computer and is it time well spent. Given that I have just started blogging again and find it healthy, I am not stopping. In addition to that, so much of my work happens on the computer that I can’t just shut it off and hide the laptop for a month. As much as that is appealing froma work perspective, I need to work and pay the rent. I connect with people via email the way I used to with the phone and I am not willing to put those friendships and relationships on hold for a month no matter how short it is. But….I can stop playing internet games.
So there it is, beginning February 1, no more internet games. None. I wish this felt like no big deal. It doesn’t. It feels like a very big deal. My hands are twitchy just thinking about it. Now isn’t that embarrassing and a clear indication that this must be done.
Can you evaluate the time you spend with electronics? Can you cut time on the computer or other electronic devices and spend it more productively? Can you?
And so it goes.
Comments (3)
Upon receiving a Webkinz from my daughter I learned what a computer game obsession could really be. I found myself playing Cash Cow 2 and Tile Towers incessantly to a point where I would put off doing work etc. It was a problem and, although difficult and requiring fortitude, I did finally walk away. So I understand completely and now try to avoid games at all costs because, much like a heroin addict needing to stay out of the drug den, I cannot control myself! However, I do think that if your game playing isn’t causing you to put anything important aside and it’s your free time to spend in any way you like then enjoy! It’s not hurting anything or anyone and, damn, those games are fun.
Good job and good luck! I’m not cutting out my games either (Bejeweled on Facebook, as well as Sudoku and Scrabble and even Yahtzee, are games I play quite often), but I am changing my priorities. For example, I walk an hour on the treadmill almost every day. It’s cut down on my evening Internet time (as well as my reading time). I will find the balance.
Argh….to…give…up….well, okay, I’m not currently immersed in online games, or Facebook, but yes to Twitter and email and well, sometimes even xanga. Classes and work take up a lot of time, but LOTS of that time is in front of a glowing screen.
Must. Consider. This. Idea…..