I have had a long discussion with people about a computer gamer's hobby versus being a guitar player or an avid TV watcher or any other hobby. It is interesting as to why the world treats "gamers" as nerds or low life people considered to other hobbies that people have. Let's take playing a guitar and being in a band for example. Being good at playing guitar takes years of practice. My co-worker is very good and he has spent a lot of his younger years in his room by himself playing music. If you talk to him about it, he will admit all of the time he spent alone and how he did not socialize with anyone at all. As he grew older, he got better and became a member of a band. They got better as a group and started playing in live shows and such. Now, let's stop here....
As for a gamer, they will typically start gaming in their younger years and put in an enormous amount of time. They usually play alone, but sometimes with others (just like a guitarist). The odd part with the day and age we are in now, is voice chat over the internet. Rarely do these gamers "know" who they are talking to, but they are communicating and socializing about the game. Some of this time is spent talking about things other than the game, just like when two guitarists get together. Now, as this gamer gets older and goes through college, he/she continues to play and becomes a member of a guild or clan or something of the sort. He/she will get to know their members well on more of a personal level instead of just the game level. Now, let's stop this hobby here...
Fast forward to 25 years old. A guitarist at this point is very good and is still playing decent size gigs in the cities and making some money and getting women left and right usually. The gamer is usually very good and is playing in national tournaments online and potentially making money or sponsors for himself. Nevertheless, the gamer is looked at as a "nerd" or "low life" for some reason. Why is this? I understand that you can claim they spend all of their time on the computer as being a "nerd", but how is that different from reading music and having a guitar in your hands all night long?
Given, I am still a gamer, and I used to be hardcore and played too much. I am out of that phase and I have moved on with my life. Nevertheless, it is odd to look back and see people being made fun of because of their hobby.
Why is there really such a big difference?
As for a gamer, they will typically start gaming in their younger years and put in an enormous amount of time. They usually play alone, but sometimes with others (just like a guitarist). The odd part with the day and age we are in now, is voice chat over the internet. Rarely do these gamers "know" who they are talking to, but they are communicating and socializing about the game. Some of this time is spent talking about things other than the game, just like when two guitarists get together. Now, as this gamer gets older and goes through college, he/she continues to play and becomes a member of a guild or clan or something of the sort. He/she will get to know their members well on more of a personal level instead of just the game level. Now, let's stop this hobby here...
Fast forward to 25 years old. A guitarist at this point is very good and is still playing decent size gigs in the cities and making some money and getting women left and right usually. The gamer is usually very good and is playing in national tournaments online and potentially making money or sponsors for himself. Nevertheless, the gamer is looked at as a "nerd" or "low life" for some reason. Why is this? I understand that you can claim they spend all of their time on the computer as being a "nerd", but how is that different from reading music and having a guitar in your hands all night long?
Given, I am still a gamer, and I used to be hardcore and played too much. I am out of that phase and I have moved on with my life. Nevertheless, it is odd to look back and see people being made fun of because of their hobby.
Why is there really such a big difference?
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