To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of civilization.
If you find yourself spending most or all of your leisure time immersed in mindless television or video games you may wish to reconsider your aspirations. These activities steal time and give nothing back. If you wish to benefit from your leisure, spend it intelligently. You will be rewarded with better health, a finer mind, and fewer regrets.
(5 votes, average: 4.4 out of 5)
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I think that you misrepresent television and video games when you call them “mindless”. They’re undoubtedly activities that are not apparently productive, but to call them “mindless” just seems belittling. My question is this: does leisure time really deserve the word “leisure” if you have to be productive? After all, the word is defined by “freedom from the demands of work or duty”. Would it be wiser to spend your free time doing something more practical? Sure…but it’s a personal decision that has to be made by the individual.
The trouble with TV and video games is that they are so good at what they do (which is to entertain). I believe video games to be a step above television, as they actually require thought, dexterity, and practice to participate…and the result is a feeling of accomplishment once a task has been completed. However, the accomplishment itself is worth nothing beyond the feeling that is created. Had the player been creating music or art or literature, that accomplishment might one day be worthy of real world compensation.
Great blog, by the way…I just recently discovered it.
Don,
I tend to agree with you. I meant to attach mindless to television, but not video games. I’ve been an avid gamer for various periods in my life and it can be very mentally challenging. This is what makes games so addictive.
You also mentioned the problem with games. No matter how well you do, it ultimately comes to nothing.
I don’t think leisure time has to be productive in the sense that it contributes to some tangible goal. But I think we’d be better off if we did something mentally stimulating (like reading a book) or naturally relaxing (like taking a walk) instead of plugging into electronic media all the time.
But I still don’t really see television as mindless. It is an awesome tool for education (just look at the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, or even the Food Network)…and it does a decent job entertaining, although it doesn’t allow for the interaction that video games do.
I agree that the reward systems and competitive nature of games make them addictive. I also think the social aspect that the internet has added increases that potential (Xbox Live is a serious weakness for me, as was Counter-Strike not too long ago).
I know that I play games more than I should, and I have plenty of lame excuses as to why I’m not playing my guitar, or starting my own blog. I’m just in need of motivation…this is one of the reasons I came across your blog in the first place…the search for this elusive motivation.
You have a point about educational TV, but it really is a poor substitute for a good book on the subject. A book engages a reader and transmits much more information. Television is always passive. I guess we’re used to being passive, so reading a book seems like a chore to most people. But I love reading, and since I started reading a lot, TV’s become really boring.
I know where you are coming from with XBox Live. In my prime I put in 8 hours a day on Halo 2 more than once. One way to get over it is to remove the temptation completely aka sell you xbox. This is a big step and I’m not saying you have to go out and do it. I was lucky in the respect that I never owned the system, it always belonged to my friends or my brother. But, when I found myself in an environment without one, I didn’t miss it at all and started spending my time more productively.
I’m not going to deny that books will generally have more information on a subject than television, but some things I’d prefer to watch than to read. For instance, a do-it-yourself home repair shows would probably be much easier to follow than a written description…or a cooking show might demonstrate certain preparation techniques in a more easily understood manner. And television can be engaging…especially if those presenting it are passionate and dedicated. I suppose I’m just saying to be wary of having a bias against other forms of media. We live in an age where all of the media around us is converging and finding it’s place. It’s fine that you enjoy reading the most, but have pity on us slow readers
Hehe…you suggest the good old cold turkey method, eh? I’m afraid that I’m not strong willed enough to sell my 360 before Halo 3 comes out. I think my focus needs to lie in self discipline and making my more productive/creative interests more appealing so that I knowingly limit my gaming time.
I believe there are times that video games are benificial, but in excess I’m not denying that playing can be worthless. But when I have no work to do and have no good ideas on how moving towards my goals I find that a great time to play. It’s very entertaining and I sometimes get great ideas when playing video games.
Considering how much games are overused today, for a time I thought starting my games business would do more hurt than help. But I decided not to think of it like that because hard-core gamers who spend their lives mastering games would be doing the same thing if I had never started my business, just playing games from another business. But I do believe video games can be very entertaining without negative consequences when used in moderation. Multiplayer games are even better (and I’m not talking multiplayer over the internet, the kind where you each have your own controller.)
I agree with you wholeheartedly. We are only on this earth for a short while - use the time wisely as there is a purpose for our life, if only we can come to know what that is.
I say turn off your TV & connect with God, yourself, others. Don’t get sucked into the tube.
(Check out my blog also at chozunson@myspace.com).
I agree with John, TV is passive, if you want to get educated on a particular matter you hook up onto the web and do some reading/watch some documentary video of your choice. most of tv programming sucks.
as for games, some of them develop the mind, and scheduling daily practices of 30-60 minutes will sharpen your mind over a period of time.
Moderation is the key.