MovieChat Forums > Second Skin (2009) Discussion > A letter to the addict

A letter to the addict

posted 14 years ago by NewYorkDude
14 replies | jump to latest

If you must play nearly everyday, even if it's only for a short period, then you're basically an addict. If you must play for several hours everyday, then you're a more serious addict. Now that these definitions are clear, I can move on to what I have to say. I'll try to be nice, but truth hurts. Here are some of the ways in which I think serious addicts can be described, and what they can do about it:

-You probably don't have any purpose or motivation in life to achieve something real that matters. If you think finding a purpose in life is hard, try executing it all the way and see how hard that is! (Finding it is the easy part.)

-You don't realize that there are ways in which you can contribute to yourself or to the world (other than your 9-5) - ways that'll make you happier at a far deeper level than by gaming. Some of these ways are: learning new useful skills, perhaps acquiring a(nother) degree; learning programming skills and engaging in the development of a useful open source software; starting a small business; doing some other kind of really creative work; simply editing Wikipedia constructively in order to improve it; or if nothing else then doing some volunteer work - all in your spare time. There are actually people who do these things, and they don't game so much -- by choice! The world has a lot of interesting problems waiting to be solved if you can learn the needed skills, and it absolutely needs you.

-If you don't care about wanting to do anything interesting other than gaming, then you're probably very selfish, and while these are your freedoms and your choice, expect non-addicts to like you even less or even despise you, and justifiably so. Strangely, I've observed that there are somewhat fewer percentage of gaming addicts in big cities (like New York for example). Perhaps you need to move to a place where real life is a tad more interesting.

-You're using gaming to escape from reality, which you consider to be harsh. Maybe you've weight or psychiatric issues to begin with, but addiction to gaming is only going to get you deeper into them in the long term. The best way to deal with issues in life is head-on.

-You probably don't have a wife and/or children. Having one/them will automatically shift your priorities - for most people.

Yes, there are other things that many other people are addicted to, such as drinking or football, but this is no excuse. Ultimately you've to exercise your will power and do the right thing; better sooner than later.

[–] mrant31 14 years ago

You know what - I'm going to concede to you your argument that there are better things to do with your life than play games. If you wish to hold that opinion, that is your choice.

I do not however feel that the sterotypes you perpetrate are fair to those like myself that are able to successfully manage the life/game balance.

Also, your assumptions regarding the demographics of the gaming community are grossly incorrect. I would say that in my experience the gaming culture is increased in areas that more populated, where hi-speed internet is a standard, and the populace are more in-tune with technology.

Have fun editing Wikipedia and resetting your worthless post. The letter is written like it was penned by an underachieving ninth grade student.

I would say that given your prose, you are the one that lacks a decent education.

[–] NewYorkDude 14 years ago

You're one nasty and evil person. I don't have any universal stereotypes. The movie shows the truth of the situation. You're so wrong in judging my education. I've a grad education from an ivy league. Anyway I'm putting you on ignore now, so screw you.

[–] mrant31 14 years ago

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] NewYorkDude 14 years ago

Hi, thanks for writing. You didn't reply directly to me, so I did not receive an email notification of your post. In my previous post I was actually talking about the random addict in general; it was not directed at any specific person. I certainly would never want to judge or attack you personally without knowing better.

The goal of my post was to try to be real, not belittling, although I can see how it can be disparaging to addicts. My life BTW is not perfect in any way - it's a bit sad ATM actually, but I hope that working toward fixing things will get me where I want to be. For the record I am not a surfing addict. I don't spend hours daily surfing the web and doing things like this. It's actually very rare for me to post here or anywhere, and when I do, I hope to keep it meaningful, not trollish.

Clearly you were very motivated and had some significant losses. Nevertheless, I personally think you would be wise to edit your post to not call any specific persons bastards, etc., lest they decide to sue you for libel. I get your point, however, about them being unethical.

[–] mrant31 14 years ago

LOL NYD.
You never fail to amaze me that weeks if not months later you are still chomping at the bit to defend your nearly meaningless and goddamn-close-to-proven-to-be-grossly-inaccurate post. A letter to the addict - what is that supposed to be anyways?

I know - here is an idea - go research a little about the average TV viewer and then post a bit about how they waste their time and have only themselves to blame, and make inane suggestions about what they could be doing instead... blahblahblah.

If you are an Ivy League graduate I have very little hope for the future of America.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] zombiefrank 14 years ago

Hey dannicus,

I just finished watching this documentary and I can see how they manipulated some of the scenes unfortunately. When the movie introduces Janet, she gave me his strange vibe. Now I read on the bpards that she made unwanted sexual advances such as standing tin the bathroom door nude. For some reason I feel she might have possibly sexually abused her son or something. i do not know this is all specualtion but something did niot seem right about her motivations. Were there other instances that you feel she crossed certain boundaries that you do not mind discussing. I don't know, she just creeps me out but I am unable to find anything else about her behavior that supports what you experienced. I would be interested in hearing more about your time with her but if you do not want to elaborate anymore I completely understand. I ask also because I was talking to a friend of mine about gaming addiction and he brought up her center then I actually watched this film and he comes up, so it is all a wierd coincidence. It seems that she is not the savior she proclaims to be and I am interested in what motivates Janet to think she is some sort of authority or what her practices are on gaming addiction treatment. Thanks for your time!

[–] doomscythe-1 14 years ago

Lol NewYorkDude.

You sound like the football coach, only one that didn't play football for real before. All of which you said above are indeed true, at least theoretically. But when it comes to practice, those are nothing but a bunch of meaningless words.

Have you ever wondered why the drug rehabs use ex-addict to rehabilitate current addicts? It's the simple reason because the ex-addicts are able to fully understand and empathized with those addicts. They understand the suffering, the addiction, their craving, the pain, suffering and all the other emotions that the addict goes through.

From your post, it can be clearly seen that you were never an addict. You may be a graduate from an Ivy League university (I give you the benefit of doubt here, but I still have my doubts), but your level of wisdom is certainly below those 15 year old brats. Sorry, but the truth hurts.

[–] NewYorkDude 14 years ago

It's true that I never was an addict. If you compare my words to those of a mature ex-addict, then I guess you could be right. IMHO, most 15 year olds don't know crap about curing addictions.

As a side note, I do believe that gaming is perfectly capable of making an addict of my weak mind if I only let it, but I know this so I won't let it. Heck I've a gaming addict in my family after all, much to my dismay. I mention this only to get to the point that the addicts can't claim to be entirely free of blame for the addiction and are consciously responsible for getting themselves into it.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] NewYorkDude 13 years ago

You're obviously too weak and deluded to realize your own flaws, addictions, and responsibilities. When someone highlights this to you, the above is the only response that comes to your mind. Congratulations. It only shows what a lost case you are.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] NewYorkDude 13 years ago

I am no coward. I have done plenty of things that challenge me and took me a lot of courage and years to do. I can name several of them if I have to. In between 2009 and now I've accomplished some big ones.

And I don't need to feel all warm and fuzzy because I already do, and especially not by belittling others. Calling fat people fat is just telling the truth. They can take it how they want it. If they get offended by the truth, it's because they've trouble facing up to their ugly reality. Obviously they won't like me for it, but do I really care?

Your main point, however, is understood.

This thread was long dead with everything already said and done. I don't know why you had to revive it and make me repeat myself.