General and Gaming => General => Topic started by: insektmute on March 04, 2013, 11:02:30 am
Title: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 04, 2013, 11:02:30 am
This has been bothering me a bit lately, so I'm curious, how many of you find yourselves having to defend your passion for video games, or keep it to yourself because it bothers people?
It's sometimes to the point where I feel like I have to pretend it's not something I'm passionate about. My roommate recently told me that I need to "calm down about that video game stuff" when I mentioned I was thinking about grabbing my SNES and Genesis that have been stuck at my Mom's house.
Since I'm also single, and have been for longer than I'd care to admit, I'm constantly torn between wanting to date a female gamer for once, or someone like my ex, who sort of (but barely) tolerated it. Not that I have any luck even without gaming coming up, but the video game thing does seem to have become more of an issue the further into my 30's I get.
I'm not the type to suppress myself for other people, but constantly running into crap like this really wears thin after a couple decades or so. Anyone else? How have you reacted to it?
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: kimimi on March 04, 2013, 11:33:52 am
Sort of. Kinda. Not really. :o
As a woman I've always experienced that general "You're weird" attitude from other women (and girls, when I was younger) and felt like I've had to prove myself to be accepted as a "real" gamer by men. But then again I've met a lot of people, especially (but not exclusively) online, who are happy to simply talk to me like I'm a regular human being with a passion for games, and as for life at home my husband bought me Super Famicom games for Valentine's Day and encouraged me to buy that PGM2 so there's no conflict there, and I wouldn't have married him if there was.
I "deal with it" by not associating myself with anyone who's not interested in accepting me for who I am - I love games and I'm not going to apologise for it! It's a hobby like any other, there's no reason for any sensible person to isolate you over it.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: soera on March 04, 2013, 11:52:43 am
Ive always dealt with it with my family. None of them have seen my game room (most of them are in another state anyhow) but neither has any of my wife's family. They would just consider it a waste of time/money. When I was much younger, my parents always told me games were worthless and that I should spend my time on other stuff. I just didnt care what all they said. :)
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: brettybluevein on March 04, 2013, 12:25:06 pm
I think the key is knowing when to say when. If you're walking around all day making video game noises as you jump stuff on the sidewalk....well, you've let the video game thing take over. I myself have a very well balanced life of work, social interactions, and gaming. Now, what's my ultimate passion?? Of course it's gaming, but I isolate that to when I'm doing that, and don't let it interfere with with the other parts. Of course I've talked to people at work about gaming from time to time, and of course girls I've dated have found out about my collection, but that isn't something I come right out with...."Hi it's nice to meet you, we should hang out sometime...by the way do you like Nintendo because I've got all of them!" I think the more consumed with gaming you are, you might artificially 'feel' isolated, but I think if you have a dynamic where you can adjust from doing thing A, to turning that off and doing thing B, and not let the 2 influence each other, you'll be well off.
I definitely don't like how your roommate told you you need to "chill out with the video games." You probably don't tell him to chill out with doing XXXX, he/she should respect your hobby and decisions.
My 2 cents. Probably only worth 1 cent.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: scott on March 04, 2013, 12:45:28 pm
I sometimes get the whole "You don't need any more games" stuff from my folks When I started dating my girlfriend, the folks said "oh, now you won't have time or money to waste on games". When I started looking into my house deal, one of the things that came up was how I wouldn't be able to afford a ton of games. So, I don't think they're really supportive of the hobby, other than being the ones that started me on it in the first place.
At one point, I didn't mention any of my hobbies to a lot of people because I thought that it would make people think I was strange. But the older I get, the more I don't care what people think. It used to be, if someone asked me what my hobbies were, I'd just mention artwork stuff and bass guitar. But now if someone asks, I say what I do, and not worry about it. If they are into gaming, I'll even mention VGCollect to people and rattle off some stats off the top of my head about it. If not, I'll make conversation about other things and let the gaming stuff slide.
And gaming did seem to turn off a lot of chicks when I was growing up / dating. Hell, when I first met my girlfriend, I didn't mention anything about gaming, mmo addiction, Magic cards, mini painting or anything "hyper nerdy". I was even super unsure about bringing her over to my place, just for the fact that I have it all out on display (You've all seen my living room, it's overwhelming to some people). But she actually thinks a lot of it it pretty cool, even though she's not a gamer at all. I've had her encourage me to pick up things I was looking at and cheers when I add something new to the Castlevania shrine. So, I guess I got lucky.
I still don't lead with "I'm a gamer, deal with it". But I'm with Kimimi and say don't let people dictate what you are into and if they don't like you for who you are, they aren't worth it. Of course I'm not going to let anyone tell me I can't play games.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 04, 2013, 01:12:26 pm
As a woman I've always experienced that general "You're weird" attitude from other women (and girls, when I was younger) and felt like I've had to prove myself to be accepted as a "real" gamer by men. But then again I've met a lot of people, especially (but not exclusively) online, who are happy to simply talk to me like I'm a regular human being with a passion for games, and as for life at home my husband bought me Super Famicom games for Valentine's Day and encouraged me to buy that PGM2 so there's no conflict there, and I wouldn't have married him if there was.
I "deal with it" by not associating myself with anyone who's not interested in accepting me for who I am - I love games and I'm not going to apologise for it! It's a hobby like any other, there's no reason for any sensible person to isolate you over it.
This is more or less where I stand on it. I'm not particularly interested in correcting ignorance, but the attitude gets frustrating at times. The gender difference is interesting, though. The most hardcore gamer I know is a woman, but she occasionally runs into the "fake" thing, or in the reverse, which is guys assuming that her being a geek gives them an opening to get in her pants.
For me, the attitude seems to be that if you're a guy older than a certain age, you're obviously an irresponsible manboy. Granted, some guys are the type who just sit around, pounding back Mt. Dew, smoking weed, and playing video games, but I've always considered that reflective of those individuals, not gamers as a whole.
My ex and I were together for a loooong time, despite her negative view of video games, but I think I'm gonna hold out for a girl who encourages me to buy a PGM2... or at least a Neo-Geo MVS :p
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 04, 2013, 01:15:00 pm
I sometimes get the whole "You don't need any more games" stuff from my folks When I started dating my girlfriend, the folks said "oh, now you won't have time or money to waste on games". When I started looking into my house deal, one of the things that came up was how I wouldn't be able to afford a ton of games. So, I don't think they're really supportive of the hobby, other than being the ones that started me on it in the first place.
Seriously, every time I talk to my Mom on the phone and video games come up, even if it's just "what are you up to this week?" kind of conversation, I hear that line. I think it's probably been seared into my brain since about 1985, and I barely owned a handful at that age :p
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: mkarasch on March 04, 2013, 02:09:11 pm
It's all part of the long standing social idea that it is uncool to care about things. You could apply it to any hobby. There are people who are just TOO into sports, or TOO into books, or whatever. I think passion is something that should be celebrated, not chastised. Phooey. Makes me angry just thinking about it.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: kingrat101 on March 04, 2013, 03:21:39 pm
Yes unfortunately my dad doesn't understand it at all and has made it known that he doesn't like it and that I'm "wasting my money." I finally had a talk with him and told him you know at least Im not into drugs or alcohol like a lot of people my age, don't get my wrong I like to drink every now and then but its not a big deal to me. I used to hide it at work until a guy recently told me he just got a snes and he was super excited but doesn't know what games to get so that's what started my feeling of hey I can talk about this and these guys are cool with it. Our boss was even like "how do you own a Neo Geo!? That's amazing!" So yeah, I was also recently talking to this girl there that's pretty attractive and she was talking about Portal, one of my favorite games, so that's cool. Its weird I can voice it at work but not so much at home
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: htimreimer on March 04, 2013, 04:36:43 pm
Yes unfortunately my dad doesn't understand it at all and has made it known that he doesn't like it and that I'm "wasting my money."
that's how my family is with my collection but for the most part they just ignore it and hope that it a just a phase i'm going through
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: libernullmal on March 04, 2013, 05:49:19 pm
Not really but then again I don't think about games 24/7.. as for the people I just meet I talk about what interests them or what I call general knowledge talk which is pretty easy since you just type yahoo and the news page is right in front click on things you think would be interesting for others an you always have things to talk about. Now for people that I'm close to and I know they are game collectors as well I will talk about it to them for hours like the going price, where I found the best deals, where I'm stuck at the current game I'm playing, where can I find this and what not. So I don't feel any isolation really. My girlfriend doesn't mind my overly large collection but she is amazed at my collection. Though I'm quite amazed at her own collection of Lord of The Rings, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. If I talked about a video game to my mom she would listen but it wouldn't be a real listen more of a tune out about it. As far as my dad.. well when he was alive he played some games with me Zelda, Metroid, and later in life I gave him my ps1 as I had just gotten the ps2 and got him a fishing game which he enjoyed. Overall he wasn't much of a collector of that sort of thing, more of he was a collector of baseball cards as he once told me "When I was a kid I use to have alot of cards and everything... Even babe ruth and some others.. Those were destroyed in a fire though." Before he died he handed me a box with baseball cards and things he collected which was mostly Nolan Ryan unopened packs and misc cards...
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 04, 2013, 05:53:52 pm
I tend to give family a pass on this sort of thing, mainly because that's just family in general - it's their job to tell you what they think you should be doing, and it's your job to roll your eyes. My Mom STILL tells me to be careful when I go out to a bar or show, and I moved out over 15 years ago.
Your parents will basically always see you as a little kid who needs to wear a helmet and be wrapped in reflective tape at all times, unless you grew up in the 80's. Helmets were like unicorns back then.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ffxik on March 04, 2013, 06:27:44 pm
Can't say that I am or that I do. My wife plays games but she isn't into it nearly as hard as I am, and we've been married almost 9 years. I'm pretty loud n' proud about my hobby. My mom and dad don't support it. My wife's mom on the other hand supports it to an extent.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: tpugmire on March 04, 2013, 06:58:27 pm
Interesting topic. I can't really say that I've ever been isolated or treated differently because of gaming. My close friends who play games will sometimes give me some good-natured flak about playing old games, but that's about it. I don't even know if anyone at my work knows about my gaming, since I'm only actually at my workplace for about an hour a day. The rest of the time, I'm on the road by myself. Some of my friends are actually more impressed that I can fix electronics, rather than about my collection. I get stuff brought over fairly regularly to see if I can fix it. My wife doesn't really object to me buying anything, as long as I don't go overboard. (But I'm too cheap to let that happen anyway.)
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: jcalder8 on March 04, 2013, 07:11:07 pm
I will freely admit to having a massive collection, I hope that one day it will lead to some nice scores, but I am much more than just collecting video games. I just started a new job so I met 25 people at once and I told the group that I collect video games and most were impressed with how many I have but I rarely talk about it.
When I started dating again after breaking up with my ex I listed it as an interest in my profile but it was just a bullet point. Video games might take up 95% of my free money but I don't smoke, drink or do drugs. I don't need to have the latest fashions or a brand new car so when I would tell a woman about it I present it as a positive not a negative.
I also like to be alone for the most part so maybe I would feel isolated if I didn't enjoy just being left alone for the most part.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: turf on March 04, 2013, 07:24:41 pm
It's not something I lead with when I meet someone, but I don't care who knows it. Video game collecting is something I do and enjoy the shit out of, but it's not the only thing i do. Everyone who knows me knows I'm a collector. In fact, when most of them think of videogames they think of me. I've got some pretty sweet deals this way. My parents think it's funny that I want to buy all the games I wanted as a kid. I have a job and their grand kid is fed, so they don't care what I do with my extra money. My mother-in-law is a supporter too. She's bought some pretty awesome stuff for Christmas and birthdays. My wife is a big enabler of my collection. She's bought a lot of the stuff I'm too cheap to buy for myself. She's not scared to pull the trigger on on a big purchase. She found an worked the deal on my Donkey Kong/Mario Bros arcade. It doesn't bother her at all to spend money.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: soera on March 04, 2013, 08:47:47 pm
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: sin2beta on March 04, 2013, 09:11:41 pm
There have been moments or people, but overall, I don't have a problem with it. However, I have to admit to feeling really awkward in the past to have a collection when people came over. Although for me it is the 5 long boxes of X-Men comics (I've been reading for 16 years and used to always hit the 25 cent box as a kid).
But I lucked out in being in situations where nerdy pop-culture hobbies have always been ok. I went to a nerdy college and then an even nerdier graduate school, studied mathematics, rowed for crew, etc. It was a very nerd-positive atmosphere in Boulder and Palo Alto. I always pictured Portland being the same. But I never have made it out to Portland. Is it just uber hipsterish where any hobby is passe? But I found that my bookshelf full of math texts overshadows everything else. People tend to breathe a sigh of relief when they see the games and comics. It's weird.
I also have found a lot goes into attitude. If you are feeling self-conscious about it, chances are things will happen to make you even more self-conscious about it. This has been my experience. I would suggest adding something else to your life. Do something active. This helps relieve stress and creates a nice balance. Someone who is an avid cyclist and video game enthusiast is cool. Someone who only plays video games might be just as cool, but it can create a wrong first impression.
Embrace being different and who you are. It can be tough. I am going through similar struggles living in Tulsa and trying to go without a car (partly I really dislike driving, I like the exercise). There are times where I feel like a complete outcast or get hassled on the road. Oklahomans just aren't used to people walking or biking. I'm actually planning a move back west in late May early June and I can't say that feeling doesn't factor in my decision. So, I do know how you feel to an extent.
But I do have to say, talking to you on this forum, you're a cool guy. Be yourself.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: jobocan on March 04, 2013, 09:36:20 pm
Eh... I wouldn't say gaming has really negatively affected my life. Partly because I did all the geeky stuff in school (science classes in high school, web development course in college) so I hung out with people who were also somewhat into video games, and now I work in a technology museum in the web team, so, while the rest of the team aren't gamers, gaming isn't a taboo subject. And people in general seem to find it cool when I tell them I have tons of games.
As for my family, they think it's cool, my dad helped me with building shelves and going to pick up arcade cabinets and such. My mom used to be a gamer (she got me into gaming in the first place... she's the only Diddy Kong Racing player I've met that can beat me :P) but health problems makes it impossible for her to play anything other than casual games now. Still, my parents are fine with the hobby.
I think anything "negative" in regards to a social life isn't specifically because of gaming, but rather because whatever else people do doesn't interest me much. If a good show is around I might go to it (rarely happens around here in the first place... other than last year's Alice Cooper/Iron Maiden show, and I might go see Rush this summer), but otherwise... unless I'm going somewhere with friends I don't really go out much... I hate bars (if I wanted to get drunk while listening to shitty music I'd do it at home and waste less money) and... what else do people do anyways? I'm not into skiing/snowboarding, watching sports bores me... bleh.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: slothingXPIG on March 04, 2013, 10:29:39 pm
Not at all. My dad has made a living out of selling vintage pocketwatches to collectors soo he basically understands it but he does say a few comments like"dont you have enough" or "jeeze you spend alot of money on this" but hell if i see a good deal and dont have the funds he is always there to back me up on it. My girlfriend doesnt mind it. I can tell she tries to get into it with me but still doesn't love it like I do. In a way it's the thought that counts.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: stethebubble on March 04, 2013, 10:31:10 pm
guy next to me on a plane said "is that your DS? my kid has one of them." then looked at me like im simple because im 31. it didnt bother me thou as i got to play games while he sat there bored out of his mind for 3 hours
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 04, 2013, 11:54:51 pm
There have been moments or people, but overall, I don't have a problem with it. However, I have to admit to feeling really awkward in the past to have a collection when people came over. Although for me it is the 5 long boxes of X-Men comics (I've been reading for 16 years and used to always hit the 25 cent box as a kid).
But I lucked out in being in situations where nerdy pop-culture hobbies have always been ok. I went to a nerdy college and then an even nerdier graduate school, studied mathematics, rowed for crew, etc. It was a very nerd-positive atmosphere in Boulder and Palo Alto. I always pictured Portland being the same. But I never have made it out to Portland. Is it just uber hipsterish where any hobby is passe? But I found that my bookshelf full of math texts overshadows everything else. People tend to breathe a sigh of relief when they see the games and comics. It's weird.
I also have found a lot goes into attitude. If you are feeling self-conscious about it, chances are things will happen to make you even more self-conscious about it. This has been my experience. I would suggest adding something else to your life. Do something active. This helps relieve stress and creates a nice balance. Someone who is an avid cyclist and video game enthusiast is cool. Someone who only plays video games might be just as cool, but it can create a wrong first impression.
Embrace being different and who you are. It can be tough. I am going through similar struggles living in Tulsa and trying to go without a car (partly I really dislike driving, I like the exercise). There are times where I feel like a complete outcast or get hassled on the road. Oklahomans just aren't used to people walking or biking. I'm actually planning a move back west in late May early June and I can't say that feeling doesn't factor in my decision. So, I do know how you feel to an extent.
But I do have to say, talking to you on this forum, you're a cool guy. Be yourself.
My experience has sort of changed over time, I suppose. When I was younger, I had very few friends, but we all hung out in the computer lab or library at school, played a lot of AD&Dand Magic, that sort of thing.
Portland's an odd town, particularly to people who've never been here, because much of the local culture is a complete 180 from the rest of the country, but it's tough to describe. Very broadly speaking, it's basically populated entirely by project-oriented hipsters, hippies, and anarchists - just about everyone makes music, brews beer, makes jewelry, or some other kind of project that sucks up a lot of their time. It's probably a byproduct of the grey, rainy atmosphere of the place.
On the other hand, it's very social and collaborative here, and people tend to scatter into certain niches, and that includes video games. There are a lot of retro gamers (we still have several arcades, and Ground Kontrol, which is a full-blown retrocade) and Nintendo fans, for example, but since most of them are hipsters, everything's pretty half-assed. So while it's easy to find people who think Super Meat Boy and Katamari Damacy are awesome, it's a bit more difficult to find common ground if you're particularly hardcore about video games.
I'm also very much the reclusive, "needle away at things that interest me in dim lighting with a cup of coffee" sort of person, so since I'm not engaged in any single scene 24/7, it can be difficult to meet new people. I go out once in awhile, and I know a ton of people, but I met most of them through the industrial music scene, which is small, incestuous, and not particularly diverse. I'm pretty much the guy in the group who "likes all that weird Japanese shit."
Appreciate the vote of confidence, though. I have no problem being myself really, I just get frustrated by how people react to my interests sometimes, and I'm too direct with people to actually prevent myself from talking about things like video games or anime once in awhile, which is probably part of the problem.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: eatgrenades on March 05, 2013, 12:35:16 am
Im in highschool so theirs always going to be people looking down on me because i play video games. Most of my friends play video games so it isnt a very big deal, but when i bring up retro gaming I always get the "what do you play old video games for" line. Gaming keeps me busy enough that I dont have time to get into trouble. Sadly ive already seen some friends fall into drugs, smoking, and alcohol but luckily video games have kept me from getting involved with these things.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: pacpix on March 05, 2013, 10:28:25 am
@eatgrenades
I am also in highschool too. Most kids think my collection is weird, but my friends think it is pretty cool. They have little interest in playing them though. My mom while not supportive, does not bother me about my collecting as long as I keep it organized. She does comment on me spending to much on "Crap" when she opens a package to find baseball cards and video games though. My dad will look at goodwill for me if he is nearby and does not mind as long as I don't play games all day long. My grandpa is very supportive and often when I see him he has games that he picked up from the pawn shop.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ko1ru on March 05, 2013, 03:00:01 am
What Kimimi said pretty much reflects how I feel, especially since I'm a girl as well. I think female gamers (not the super-casual, "fake" variety) can feel particularly isolated when it comes to their interest in/intent to collect video games. I don't make it a point to announce or advertise my gender in online settings, nor do I tend to bring up my hobby in casual conversation with random people as I'm usually met with either 1.) "There's no way you play video games: you're a girl!" or 2.) Oooo, you play video games? You single?" Of course there is the occasional rare exception, but I'd rather just avoid the scenario as much as possible. Often, if I'm in a shop with my boyfriend and ask about a particular game (availability, condition, etc.), they "relay" the information to my boyfriend, not me - because there's no way I'm asking about a game for myself. ::) I then love surprising them with knowledge about games that they themselves were clueless about. :)
As frustrating as this is, I have neither the time nor inclination to deal with stupidity. If someone's going to give you shit over who you are and what your interests are, fuck 'em. Live your life for you and no one else. :)
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: libernullmal on March 05, 2013, 11:35:50 am
What Kimimi said pretty much reflects how I feel, especially since I'm a girl as well. I think female gamers (not the super-casual, "fake" variety) can feel particularly isolated when it comes to their interest in/intent to collect video games. I don't make it a point to announce or advertise my gender in online settings, nor do I tend to bring up my hobby in casual conversation with random people as I'm usually met with either 1.) "There's no way you play video games: you're a girl!" or 2.) Oooo, you play video games? You single?" Of course there is the occasional rare exception, but I'd rather just avoid the scenario as much as possible. Often, if I'm in a shop with my boyfriend and ask about a particular game (availability, condition, etc.), they "relay" the information to my boyfriend, not me - because there's no way I'm asking about a game for myself. ::) I then love surprising them with knowledge about games that they themselves were clueless about. :)
As frustrating as this is, I have neither the time nor inclination to deal with stupidity. If someone's going to give you shit over who you are and what your interests are, fuck 'em. Live your life for you and no one else. :)
I would think the 1.) aspect would have played through by now as their are tons of gamer females out there? An it seems alot of them have their own youtube /chat channels, and even taken over the xbox360 clan..
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 05, 2013, 11:38:40 am
As frustrating as this is, I have neither the time nor inclination to deal with stupidity. If someone's going to give you shit over who you are and what your interests are, fuck 'em. Live your life for you and no one else. :)
You know me well enough to know my patience for this shit is VERY low :)
Come to think of it, it's largely why you and I both gave up on Listal, but you held out longer than I did!
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ko1ru on March 05, 2013, 11:41:41 am
As frustrating as this is, I have neither the time nor inclination to deal with stupidity. If someone's going to give you shit over who you are and what your interests are, fuck 'em. Live your life for you and no one else. :)
You know me well enough to know my patience for this shit is VERY low :)
Come to think of it, it's largely why you and I both gave up on Listal, but you held out longer than I did!
LOL, true enough -- but not much longer! :P
Erk, you're deserving of a girl (and flat mates) that appreciate you for who you are and are as kick-ass as yourself. Don't settle for less. ;)
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: kimimi on March 05, 2013, 11:43:16 am
I would think the 1.) aspect would have played through by now as their are tons of gamer females out there? An it seems alot of them have their own youtube /chat channels, and even taken over the xbox360 clan..
Not a chance. At the moment female gamers are classed as either -
1) "Fake" gamers - they play Farmville, Angry Birds, etc and very occasionally a little something on their boyfriend's 360 (badly, no doubt). 2) Attention seekers. All women with a Youtube channel who game fall into this category automatically. They probably only like <game you like> to try to look cool. 3) Real gamers, but ugly. Any woman who has proven she really does play "proper" games and doesn't have a Youtube channel must be ugly, because if she wasn't she'd have a Youtube channel.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 05, 2013, 11:46:21 am
I would think the 1.) aspect would have played through by now as their are tons of gamer females out there? An it seems alot of them have their own youtube /chat channels, and even taken over the xbox360 clan..
Sexism doesn't stop just because there are more women, and female gamers have always been around. As with geeks, freaks, and gay people, at some point, people collectively realized that trying to pretend they don't exist wasn't particularly effective, and a lot of women simply decided to stop giving a shit about what anyone else says.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ko1ru on March 05, 2013, 11:47:43 am
I would think the 1.) aspect would have played through by now as their are tons of gamer females out there? An it seems alot of them have their own youtube /chat channels, and even taken over the xbox360 clan..
Not a chance. At the moment female gamers are classed as either -
1) "Fake" gamers - they play Farmville, Angry Birds, etc and very occasionally a little something on their boyfriend's 360 (badly, no doubt). 2) Attention seekers. All women with a Youtube channel who game fall into this category automatically. They probably only like <game you like> to try to look cool. 3) Real gamers, but ugly. Any woman who has proven she really does play "proper" games and doesn't have a Youtube channel must be ugly, because if she wasn't she'd have a Youtube channel.
So true, Kimimi. It's all so very black and white to most, when in fact shades of gray exist. ;)
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 05, 2013, 11:53:56 am
I have it on good authority that ko1ru is actually a really hot gamer chick and does not have a YouTube channel, despite being stuck in the middle of nowhere :p
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ko1ru on March 05, 2013, 11:56:51 am
I have it on good authority that ko1ru is actually a really hot gamer chick and does not have a YouTube channel, despite being stuck in the middle of nowhere :p
Sshhhh! Don't go givin' muh secrets away Erk! :P
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: scott on March 05, 2013, 11:57:41 am
I'm not gonna lie. When Amuariel and Desocietas joined the site, I was like "oh hey, we have female gamers on the site, sweet". Since then they've been slowly coming out of the woodwork... like Canadians, only not as many.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ko1ru on March 05, 2013, 12:01:05 pm
I'm not gonna lie. When Amuariel and Desocietas joined the site, I was like "oh hey, we have female gamers on the site, sweet". Since then they've been slowly coming out of the woodwork... like Canadians, only not as many.
LOL Hey, as long as you weren't PMing them and asking them "show me your b00bies!!!1", I'd say there's nothing to worry about. ;p
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 05, 2013, 12:02:59 pm
I was just looking for an excuse to remind you to get out of Missouri. Being from Portland, I basically think of it as a Hills Have Eyes type of place O.O
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ko1ru on March 05, 2013, 12:05:09 pm
I was just looking for an excuse to remind you to get out of Missouri. Being from Portland, I basically think of it as a Hills Have Eyes type of place O.O
Yeah, speaking of isolation... it kind of is! :o
Here's to the day I finally move back to civilization!
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 05, 2013, 12:09:17 pm
Having been stuck back in the suburbs for a bit a year or two ago, I definitely recommend getting somewhere more urban. I mean, SHOWS HAPPEN. I saw Swans and Grimes and Portishead within the span of a year!
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ko1ru on March 05, 2013, 12:11:12 pm
Having been stuck back in the suburbs for a bit a year or two ago, I definitely recommend getting somewhere more urban. I mean, SHOWS HAPPEN. I saw Swans and Grimes and Portishead within the span of a year!
Fo sho. Last show I saw was Whitehouse... like... years ago! :-[
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 05, 2013, 12:13:19 pm
Ok, kinda envious there. I've never gotten to see Whitehouse, Masonna, or any of the other big "classic" groups :(
Killing Joke's supposed to play Seattle soon, though...
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: turf on March 05, 2013, 12:20:49 pm
I'm not gonna lie. When Amuariel and Desocietas joined the site, I was like "oh hey, we have female gamers on the site, sweet". Since then they've been slowly coming out of the woodwork... like Canadians, only not as many.
LOL Hey, as long as you weren't PMing them and asking them "show me your b00bies!!!1", I'd say there's nothing to worry about. ;p
What do you mean? That's what Canadians are good for. ;D
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: foxhack on March 05, 2013, 12:24:52 pm
I'm not gonna lie. When Amuariel and Desocietas joined the site, I was like "oh hey, we have female gamers on the site, sweet". Since then they've been slowly coming out of the woodwork... like Canadians, only not as many.
LOL Hey, as long as you weren't PMing them and asking them "show me your b00bies!!!1", I'd say there's nothing to worry about. ;p
What do you mean? That's what Canadians are good for. ;D
WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE CANADIAN MALE BOOBIES SHOO SHOO
... as for being isolated...
Well. Imagine being the only nerdy guy who likes the stuff I do and nobody else does except for two or three people. Add to that the general cultural difference between the US and Mexico and I'm a hell of an oddball in my hometown. I'm not saying there aren't gamers, there are, it's just that there aren't many who have similar interests in gaming.
It's hard to explain. :\
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: scott on March 05, 2013, 01:25:32 pm
I'm not gonna lie. When Amuariel and Desocietas joined the site, I was like "oh hey, we have female gamers on the site, sweet". Since then they've been slowly coming out of the woodwork... like Canadians, only not as many.
LOL Hey, as long as you weren't PMing them and asking them "show me your b00bies!!!1", I'd say there's nothing to worry about. ;p
Haha, I lol'd at both possible meanings.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 05, 2013, 02:17:57 pm
I'm sorry, you were saying something about boobs?
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: kuro on March 05, 2013, 03:06:44 pm
Not at all. All my friends are Gamers. Secondly, Why would I want to associate with non-gamers, I isolate them.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: elraiser on March 05, 2013, 03:24:21 pm
I have never felt lonely as a gamer. I always assuumed myselff and i have some very good non gamer fiends. 8)
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: jobocan on March 05, 2013, 07:10:53 pm
I would think the 1.) aspect would have played through by now as their are tons of gamer females out there? An it seems alot of them have their own youtube /chat channels, and even taken over the xbox360 clan..
Not a chance. At the moment female gamers are classed as either -
1) "Fake" gamers - they play Farmville, Angry Birds, etc and very occasionally a little something on their boyfriend's 360 (badly, no doubt). 2) Attention seekers. All women with a Youtube channel who game fall into this category automatically. They probably only like <game you like> to try to look cool. 3) Real gamers, but ugly. Any woman who has proven she really does play "proper" games and doesn't have a Youtube channel must be ugly, because if she wasn't she'd have a Youtube channel.
So true, Kimimi. It's all so very black and white to most, when in fact shades of gray exist. ;)
This whole talk about female gamers is a bit amusing because I never really got why there's any kind of separation in the medium between male and female gamers... it's just senseless. I mean, any "classing" like in Kimimi's post... are all things that exist regardless of sex (I mean, you've seen at least one Angry Joe video, right? can't get more "attention seeking" than that). I've known a lot of female gamers, and never once did I feel the need to insult them solely for being girls, that's just stupid.
But this is kinda analogous to another splitting of the gaming fanbase, that being the "Hardcore vs Casual" thing that just about no one arguing has no idea what those terms mean and even that other categories exist, and will insult each other at every moment because they're not hardcore enough (even though most of them aren't hardcore in the first place).
To me, in regards to gaming, it's either you're a gamer or you're not. Categories exist, but don't matter. And different genders shouldn't mean anything.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: sin2beta on March 05, 2013, 07:35:35 pm
1) "Fake" gamers - they play Farmville, Angry Birds, etc and very occasionally a little something on their boyfriend's 360 (badly, no doubt). 2) Attention seekers. All women with a Youtube channel who game fall into this category automatically. They probably only like <game you like> to try to look cool. 3) Real gamers, but ugly. Any woman who has proven she really does play "proper" games and doesn't have a Youtube channel must be ugly, because if she wasn't she'd have a Youtube channel.
This makes me sad. I see the youtube stuff everyday. I subscribed to a channel called PressHeartToContinue after Husky StarCraft plugged the show. But, my god, the viewer comments on every video make me sad for humanity.
The creepers find every channel as well. A fairly new reviewer Alli Flanagan started a channel. Comments started out fine as it was the LawnboysPost, NinjaBearHug, Shockz16 group that was virtually every subscriber. But now half the comments are things like "You're hot" or "Face it, we are all here for the girl". Makes me sad because she is damn good at the show. Most of us did not go there because of the girl but for the quality work. Anyways, check out her reviews they are fantastic.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 05, 2013, 07:45:49 pm
It all boils down to insecurity and immaturity, whether you're talking about people treating me like a manboy because of my interests, or assuming women who play video games are sex toys or pretenders. I count myself fortunate that I was largely raised by my Mom, and so the suggestion of women being inferior is something that was never reinforced, and for all her little remarks about owning too much of whatever, she never restricted my interests.
Upbringing has a big impact, and there are a lot of really shitty parents out there that are happy to raise a mass collective of ignorant, rude little pricks that are just like Mom and Dad :)
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: libernullmal on March 05, 2013, 09:16:59 pm
It all boils down to insecurity and immaturity, whether you're talking about people treating me like a manboy because of my interests, or assuming women who play video games are sex toys or pretenders. I count myself fortunate that I was largely raised by my Mom, and so the suggestion of women being inferior is something that was never reinforced, and for all her little remarks about owning too much of whatever, she never restricted my interests.
Upbringing has a big impact, and there are a lot of really shitty parents out there that are happy to raise a mass collective of ignorant, rude little pricks that are just like Mom and Dad :)
I see it everytime I go over to my sister inlaws house.... not her but the hardcore gamer that she is with... it saddens me because they wouldn't backtalk or draw a big fat penis on the Tennis court during school hours if he wasn't in their lives :(
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: pceslayer on March 05, 2013, 11:20:29 pm
This thread makes me sad. :(
Where is my gamer female person lady who accepts my hobby?! Or better yet shares in the hobby...
My last gf didn't really seem to mind, but i never could really talk about anything gaming or electronics around her.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: scott on March 05, 2013, 11:38:43 pm
Yeah that seems to be the case with a lot of them, man. I got lucky, my GF has no idea what any of this stuff is, but when we go to gaming stores she looks around in awe. Hell, she'll even watch me play games and be into it for the story. But girls I dated before, weren't interested at all. It's hard to share your life with people when they don't show at least some interest in what you like.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ffxik on March 06, 2013, 02:47:44 am
I was just looking for an excuse to remind you to get out of Missouri. Being from Portland, I basically think of it as a Hills Have Eyes type of place O.O
Yeah, speaking of isolation... it kind of is! :o
Here's to the day I finally move back to civilization!
Back the truck up. You're in Missouri. Where at? If you don't mind.
I would rather live here in isolation versus the rat race that is the more populated places. Then again I have a rather large disdain for people in general.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ko1ru on March 06, 2013, 10:12:17 am
I would think the 1.) aspect would have played through by now as their are tons of gamer females out there? An it seems alot of them have their own youtube /chat channels, and even taken over the xbox360 clan..
Not a chance. At the moment female gamers are classed as either -
1) "Fake" gamers - they play Farmville, Angry Birds, etc and very occasionally a little something on their boyfriend's 360 (badly, no doubt). 2) Attention seekers. All women with a Youtube channel who game fall into this category automatically. They probably only like <game you like> to try to look cool. 3) Real gamers, but ugly. Any woman who has proven she really does play "proper" games and doesn't have a Youtube channel must be ugly, because if she wasn't she'd have a Youtube channel.
So true, Kimimi. It's all so very black and white to most, when in fact shades of gray exist. ;)
This whole talk about female gamers is a bit amusing because I never really got why there's any kind of separation in the medium between male and female gamers... it's just senseless. I mean, any "classing" like in Kimimi's post... are all things that exist regardless of sex (I mean, you've seen at least one Angry Joe video, right? can't get more "attention seeking" than that). I've known a lot of female gamers, and never once did I feel the need to insult them solely for being girls, that's just stupid.
But this is kinda analogous to another splitting of the gaming fanbase, that being the "Hardcore vs Casual" thing that just about no one arguing has no idea what those terms mean and even that other categories exist, and will insult each other at every moment because they're not hardcore enough (even though most of them aren't hardcore in the first place).
To me, in regards to gaming, it's either you're a gamer or you're not. Categories exist, but don't matter. And different genders shouldn't mean anything.
I'm glad you view it that way, Jobocan. It's an unfortunate fact that most people don't share your opinion.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ko1ru on March 06, 2013, 10:19:28 am
Back the truck up. You're in Missouri. Where at? If you don't mind.
I would rather live here in isolation versus the rat race that is the more populated places. Then again I have a rather large disdain for people in general.
I live in Rolla, smack in-between St. Louis and Springfield. I'm originally from Columbia. :)
After living in many populated (and non-populated) places across the nation, I can say for certain that I'm drawn more to a metropolis. Don't get me wrong, I have a strong dislike for most people as well, but there's something about the sounds of gunshots and back-to-back traffic in the morning that makes me feel at home. :)
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: scott on March 06, 2013, 10:39:35 am
I'm not interested in big cities at all. I get super paranoid if I'm in one and last time I was in Detroit for a concert it was kinda shakey. My GF wants to go to Chicago, New York and a bunch of other places. And I just can't think of any reason why I'd want to be there.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 06, 2013, 10:50:55 am
I'm glad you view it that way, Jobocan. It's an unfortunate fact that most people don't share your opinion.
Denigrating anyone based on gender tends to piss me off, and I've actually defriended a few people lately who apparently don't understand the distinction between misandry and feminism. After a few months of reading about how men are basically a bunch of would-be rapist animals, I finally gave up on trying to counter it with rational discussion. Some people just want to rage blindly.
At least misanthropy is equal-opportunity. :)
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ko1ru on March 06, 2013, 10:53:16 am
Living in the middle of nowhere does have its advantages though: everything's so stinkin' cheap! :D
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ko1ru on March 06, 2013, 10:54:18 am
Back the truck up. You're in Missouri. Where at? If you don't mind.
I would rather live here in isolation versus the rat race that is the more populated places. Then again I have a rather large disdain for people in general.
I live in Rolla, smack in-between St. Louis and Springfield. I'm originally from Columbia. :)
After living in many populated (and non-populated) places across the nation, I can say for certain that I'm drawn more to a metropolis. Don't get me wrong, I have a strong dislike for most people as well, but there's something about the sounds of gunshots and back-to-back traffic in the morning that makes me feel at home. :)
HAH! I know Rolla pretty well. I live in Winona. It's a small world. ;D
I'd rather not listen to the noise. I live smack in between a car wash and a redi-mix facility going on 11 years. I'm not big on the traffic any more.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: disgaeniac on March 08, 2013, 11:56:01 am
I have it on good authority that ko1ru is actually a really hot gamer chick and does not have a YouTube channel, despite being stuck in the middle of nowhere :p
Ya' don't say...
Help a brother out and put in some good words for me, Erik ;)
Seriously, though -concerning Ko1ru- like she said - she doesn't go around talking about her gender very much...and she was probably one of the few people on this site who's gender I didn't already know...however, that said, TBQH, If I would have had to guess (or presume/assume) what her gender was before her posting it...I would have guessed...*Guy* :o
Amusingly (to myself, at least) - the reason that I would have leaned towards/guessed "guy" would have been simply & strictly based on just how many times & how strongly we've agreed on/in certain issues & discussions here; and, since *I'M* a guy -and- since I found the 2 of us on exactly the same page so many times before...I'd have guessed *guy*.
I know that I'm weird & untraditional in A LOT of ways, but, a girl that's "lady-like" enough to so comfortably say "fuck 'em"; earns a few bonus points along with the highly-coveted "Disgaeniac-Seal-Of-Approval" ;D
At any rate, I saw this topic floating around a couple of days ago and thought that it *was* a very interesting & good idea for a topic - so, I made a mental note to post here when I got the chance.
I'm in a rush & getting ready to run out of the door right now, but, I'll get back here later with a more on-topic reply, explain why I haven't been around/posting for the last few days, and...why I *HATE* it so very, very much when (for whatever reason), I'm unable to read and/or post at my "regular" Internet haunting grounds for more than a day or two...
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: scott on March 08, 2013, 12:07:21 pm
Ha I was just wondering where you were too.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 08, 2013, 01:09:16 pm
To its credit, I've yet to see any of the overt sexism or homophobia that permeates most gaming forums on vgcollect, and I'm pretty confident that anyone calling the women on this site "fake" or disrespecting them for being women would be kicked very quickly. Sad how rare that is, but it's nice to be able to say it.
Also, glad to see you still live, disgaeniac!
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: scott on March 08, 2013, 01:14:50 pm
I hope it stays that way...
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: disgaeniac on March 08, 2013, 03:45:31 pm
Seriously - this site & the G*FAQ's board "RPG's: Everything Else"...are the only 2 places (on the whole entirety of the world-wide, big & bad Interwebz) that I actually, really 'n' truly...give a 'proper' fuck about :o
They're also the only 2 places that I feel like and would consider myself a "regular" of.
As for Insektmute's question/topic...it's been A LONG time, but, I can remember feeling similarly (somewhat) back in my high-school daze 8)
It wasn't so much *directly* with video games, per se -but- I did go through a phase (of 1-2 years) where I'd get together with whoever was around (~once a month) for a late-night/over-night D&D/AD&D session.
I'll just go right ahead and call a spade a spade, and say that I was most definitely part of the (what was then called, at least:) "Burn-out" crowd (demographic/sub-division, clique, etc) while I was in high school.
Obviously, the group of people that I'd be getting together with to play some table-top gaming were...well...the guys & gals that we would be relentlessly (w/ the cruelty & callousness that seems to be exclusive to insecure & easily impressionable teens who gave *Waaaaaaaaaaaaay* too much importance, time, and thought into what others thought about them (just like I was, at that age)) tormenting, making fun of, mimicking/mocking, beating-up, tripping, knocking them (and their books) down, etc.
Hell...admitting that I:
A. Knew these people, B. Knew their names/who they were, C. Knew where they lived, D. Ever hung-out or spent any time with, E. Had been to (and even spent the night!) at some of their houses, and (possibly just as bad - if not the most heinous & "anti-burnout" of all (what we then called: "Posers")) 'crime' of all, F. Actually *Playing* D&D (or anything like it, itself)...
...would have been tantamount to me, say, coming right out and saying that I liked/listened to Air Supply when no one else was around...instead of being the good, little, long-haired, bad-ass with his head *Constantly* banging...alone or not :-\
So, most (if not all) of my "isolation" feelings & problems were pretty much self-imposed.
Thankfully, after a few months of being the dick & ass-hole that I *had* been being...(I'm not really sure what (if any) singular cause, trigger, event, and/or experience) brought this about -but- I matured enough to where I no longer cared or gave a fuck what other people thought about me and was openly friends & friendly with who-ever-the-fuck I wanted to be...regardless of what "group" you fit in.
Wow!
Totally got carried away w/ this shit ::)
I've already got to get up off of my ass and go out (*Again*), so...I'll have to save my "update"/"what's been going on" with myself post for later ;)
Stay tuned...
...(or not:)
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 09, 2013, 03:21:58 pm
I'll just go right ahead and call a spade a spade, and say that I was most definitely part of the (what was then called, at least:) "Burn-out" crowd (demographic/sub-division, clique, etc) while I was in high school.
Pretty much sums up my crowd as well, though my friends were mostly a mix of hardcore nerds, punks, stoners, and goths. I'd started out HS doing great, with a high GPA and honors classes, but between weekly AD&D nights, going to industrial clubs, problems at home, and struggling with severe clinical depression, I'd pretty much screwed up any chance I had of graduating by the end of my sophomore year. Dropped out shortly after, and thanks to my Mom pushing me to do it, got my GED only a couple weeks later.
My isolation at that time was partially self-imposed, because I had so much anger built up, but I've always been more of an calm, introverted type of person. The upside to that is that I'm constantly learning and researching things, but my personality definitely isn't conducive to meeting new people. Not without a few drinks, anyway :p
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: ffxik on March 09, 2013, 06:24:33 pm
It's true. I always answer these questions from the perspective I have today. Which I don't feel awkwardness or any shame by playing games. When I was in high school on the other hand it was very different. Thinking back that's been almost 11 years ago. It's been so long ago I tend not to give it much thought.
Pretty much I was the socially unacceptable guy. Played video games. Watched anime. Played Magic the Gathering. Played D&D. Family was dirt poor. Overweight. Didn't waste what little money my family had on running figure 8s in town. They called it cruising
The bad thing is I actually cared what people thought of me. I figure that if I could do this and that I could become more popular. Didn't work. By the time I made my senior year in high school I quit caring. I was literally the butt of everyone's jokes from Kindergarten up through my Junior year. This was my last year, nothing changes, so fuck 'em.
I was in Sociology when the varsity football teams quarter back tuns to me and says, "Do you have an X-box?" This guy who I had known, been in class with from 1989-2012, who hated video games. Was now talking my ear off about them. I had to stop, look around and ponder for a moment. Almost everything I had been ridiculed for, had now become socially acceptable. I took a week to just sit in classes and listen to what other people were talking about. I realized that I had become just another face in the crowd.
I considered myself a pivot man of sorts. I had accumulated friends from everywhere. Stoners, religious nuts, hell raisers, geeks, nerds, hicks, jocks, and then there was just me. I didn't try to be like any of them. I was me, and they were cool with it.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: disgaeniac on March 10, 2013, 12:04:32 pm
I'll just go right ahead and call a spade a spade, and say that I was most definitely part of the (what was then called, at least:) "Burn-out" crowd (demographic/sub-division, clique, etc) while I was in high school.
Pretty much sums up my crowd as well, though my friends were mostly a mix of hardcore nerds, punks, stoners, and goths. I'd started out HS doing great, with a high GPA and honors classes, but between weekly AD&D nights, going to industrial clubs, problems at home, and struggling with severe clinical depression, I'd pretty much screwed up any chance I had of graduating by the end of my sophomore year. Dropped out shortly after, and thanks to my Mom pushing me to do it, got my GED only a couple weeks later.
Heh, no wonder the 2 of us seem to get along so easily & have such similar tastes...even waaay back when - it sounds to me like we had a lot in common 8)
I was always in the "G&T" (Gifted & Talented = 'Advanced') classes in grade school, middle school, and high school.
Everything came extremely easily to me. I don't have a photographic memory, or anything -but- I never really had to bother studying to do very well, either.
My sister (who's a college-educated school teacher), used to (and sometimes still does:) tell me how much she hated me for that (she's quite intelligent, but had to put far more time & effort into getting similar grades to me).
Anyhow, like I said...I was a burn-out...in the 80's (which makes me, I guess, about a dime-a-dozen:)
Long before any game companies were being accused of "dumbing anything down"...I was doing it to myself :-\
By that, I mean, it wasn't "cool", "fitting", or "in character" for us burn-outs to be smart, studious, respectful, etc...
If asked a question (that I *knew* the answer to); I'd *intentionally* give the wrong answer...or tell my teacher to "go fuck himself", or light up a smoke, get up, walk out of the class-room, and slam the door.
Dumbing myself down to be cool & fit-in...w/ people I didn't *really* give a fuck about -and- who *really* didn't give a fuck about me, either...
...Jesus Christ!
I swear to God that if I could go back in time & meet myself the way I was then...I'd kick my own ass so hard for being so stupid & for caring about such unimportant things...then, I'd kick it again...just 'cause I was kind of an ass-hole back then, too ::)
No shame in getting a G.E.D., my brother!
I got mine too :)
Just not under very pleasant circumstances - I'd gotten into a bit of trouble, and some old dude, who thought that he was better than me (just because he got to wear a black robe to work, sit up higher than the rest of us, and play around by banging his little, toy-like wooden hammer (and probably his secretary & court-recorder, too:) on his desk)...was talking some math & numbers with me...
...Apparently (so sayeth society), whatever wrong I'd done...had come down to these #'s that the judge was throwing at me (Hmm...maybe it was an "idiot" test; to see if I was an idiot...as well as incorrigible) :P
My "choice" was (and I was only ~16 or ~17 at the time) to choose between:
A). 5 years in a state correctional facility (*Prison*), or
B). 18 months in a long-term, "behavioral-modification" (what a fucking joke:) so called "therapeutic community" Rehab.
I did a quick calculation, figured-out the difference in time between 18 months & 5 years, thought, for a second, about my awesomely long, cool, and flowing "heavy-metal hair"...and what the reaction to that in a state prison was likely to be...and went with option "B" XD!
Anyhow, got my GED while I was in there...
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: insektmute on March 10, 2013, 07:32:37 pm
Yeah, all things considered, I'd say I had a slightly easier time of things. I was very lucky that I never got arrested, or mixed up in heavy drug use, though a number of people I knew back then never pulled themselves out of their downward spiral. The time I spent in SF when I was 17 put a healthy bit of fear into me, and helped me realize how stupid a lot of the choices I'd been making really were.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: darko on March 11, 2013, 02:23:57 pm
I must have had an extremely easy time in high school. I was one of the dreaded popular kids. BUT, my graduating class was kind of different. None of us really gave a damn about anything and most of us were in the "don't need to study at all, and cause more trouble than anyone else because we're bored" group. It was like the person who gave the least amount of care to traditional school stuff was the most popular. Football included.
I never really had a reason to lie or take shit for being a "gamer". Maybe I did and just didn't give a damn :)
All of my friends now look at my collection and think it's awesome. I tell everyone that books are overrated and I want a library full of games when I'm 70.
I think a lot of what you guys are describing is all about confidence, especially in the HS age range. If you think it's going to make you less popular then you're guarded when you talk about it. If you just act like yourself and say, hey, this is what I do and why I like it, most people will back that even if they don't understand it.
Title: Re: Isolated for being a gamer?
Post by: htimreimer on March 11, 2013, 07:38:55 pm
you know when i go in to depression because by bipolar disorder, a good game can get me right out of it