Article in January Smart Money magazine

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lizwool
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Article in January Smart Money magazine

Virtual Junkies is the title....
 

Liz Woolley

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Re: Article in January Smart Money magazine

and?

Diggo McDiggity
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Re: Article in January Smart Money magazine

...and you get to see my ugly mug, along with a 3 year old screenshot of Gorenaire I took way back :P
Ron

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Re: Article in January Smart Money magazine

I saw you!

Good job, Ron.....

Liz Woolley

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Re: Article in January Smart Money magazine

I think my and was more leaning towards the what is your point? There is no link for anyone to follow - and ****ed if I have to wade through a search engine for it....

what is the article about - give a summery or something

lizwool
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Re: Article in January Smart Money magazine

I don't think it is on the web. The only place I found it was in the magazine.

Can you get a hold of one, and read it? It is the February issue. If nothing else, just to look at Ron?

Liz

Liz Woolley

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Re: Article in January Smart Money magazine

It's a well-balanced aspect of computer gaming which discusses the issues of excessive and compulsive playing and how a number of people have succumbed to it and what they've done to address their problems.
As far as the media goes, 'computer game addiction' is starting to draw widespread interest among the major news organizations, finally, whereas first, it was mostly an exploitation of Liz and her story with Shawn. I mean that's how news organizations make their money, after all.

The quality of writing now, with regard to this problem, is really starting to mature as more research and fact checking is done before the stories are published. The post interview interviews I did for Rolling Stone magazine and Smart Money were quite comprehensive as opposed to the earliest stories which just cut and pasted facts from the one or two persons who actually bothered to do research when Liz's story first ran.

No longer is this just an issue of a 'Young Wisconsin man who shot himself over a game." It's now a socialogical issue with widespread impact that is starting to draw interest from major magazines and news reporting organizations. It's not a cover story anymore, but a feature story.

Also, the problem gamers themselves are stepping up to the plate more and more often and are accepting responsibility for their problems. The question is, will the game manufacturers step up and acknowledge that they are partially responsible or that they have some sort of moral obligation to help make sure their programs are used responsibly?

So far, only Square Enix (Final Fantasy XI) as far as I know, is the only one to acknowledge essentially, that real life should come first in a quote on one of the opening screens when you start Final Fantasy.

The gaming industry is missing the point. They seem to be stuck on the concept of it's either 'our' responsibility or 'your' responsibility to make sure that games are played responsibly. But in any relationship, business or otherwise, it takes the cooperation of both parties to make something happen. If I place a handgun on a sidewalk and walk away and someone takes the gun and shoots someone, should I assume any liability for having put the handgun there? Or was it only the person's fault who pulled the trigger?

The issue is maturing. It's not about blame anymore. It's about education and prevention. Then eventually, hopefully websites like this one can go away.

Ron

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Re: Article in January Smart Money magazine

Quote:If I place a handgun on a sidewalk and walk away and someone takes the gun and shoots someone, should I assume any liability for having put the handgun there? Or was it only the person's fault who pulled the trigger?

Let's think about that for a second though. There is a *huge* difference between leaving a loaded handgun and leaving an un-opened box of *insert mmorpg flavor of the month here* on the street.

There is a huge fundemental difference of liability with that scenario. Person x walks up, picks up the gun, and knows what it is for. Person x makes the distinct choice to use said gun to kill (either themselves or someone else) or just use in a crime.

Now taking this situation you have also *willingly* placed said gun on the street knowing that this is the objects primary purpose. It is intended to kill or harm something. It is an object of destruction, no matter how you look at it. You are an accessory.

Placing the un-opened mmorpg box on the ground is something entirely different. It's primary purpose for the end user is enjoyment. It is not an object made with the intended purpose of destruction or death. I would even go so far as saying it's un-intended purpose is not that of destruction or death. The gaming industry wouldn't go very far if they were in the business of killing their customers. Not to mention I would hate to have a 3 day waiting period to buy the next expansion because EB has to do a background check on me.

lizwool
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Re: Article in January Smart Money magazine

Quote:It's primary purpose for the end user is enjoyment.. Haveneq, for as much on the ball as you are, I am surprised to hear those words coming out of your mouth.

Both you and I know the PRIMARY PURPOSE for MOST of these games is to make the developer/marketer money.

Liz Woolley

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Re: Article in January Smart Money magazine

Right you are - but notice what I said again -- I said for the end user...not the company...the end user

(p.s. - it's havneq as in have neck not haveneq thhhppttt)

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Re: Article in January Smart Money magazine

If I can find the magazine I'll scan some of it. PS Ron I lost your voicemail some how -- call me again pls!

lizwool
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Re: Article in January Smart Money magazine

Sorry for mispelling your name....havneq.

Liz Woolley

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