Kids & Video Games: Is It REALLY As Bad As This Guy Says?

What am I thinking about?

Video game addiction

I recently read comments made by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison about video games and kids.

At the HCM World conference this week, Ellison said he is "so disturbed by kids who spend all day playing video games".

“When I was a kid the sun rose, I was on my bike, and if my parents were lucky I was home before dark.”

Umm.  Ok.  Me too.

I gamed a lot.  I played a lot.  I turned out fine.

Any particular kids in mind?  Could you tell us where these kids are at?

I won't deny that there are many gamers who devote loads of hours to titles on a daily basis, but Ellison's statement really bothers me.  A man who's made loads of money off creating software and advancing technology that, in other ways, infiltrates our lives, is criticizing the very thing that, I would hope, he promotes:  technology development spurred by young people.

Who is he to say that, with a broad brush, that essentially all kids are inside right now playing games ALL DAY LONG??  What kind of an irresponsible statement is that?

While there are some who indulge too much in the niceties of life, no matter what it might be, there are still countless others who choose to have a balance in their lives.  On the flip side, there are others whose dedication to technology and gaming at a young age that will some day BECOME a Larry Ellison.

I think it's not wise to give a proverbial wagging of the finger in the faces of young people like that.  It's not cool at all.  Unless you have stats to back that up, don't say it.  Has he ever seen this study?  Researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Germany found playing Super Mario 64 causes increased size in brain regions responsible for spatial orientation, memory formation and strategic planning as well as fine motor skills.

What's up Ellison!

In short, Ellison is basically calling kids idiots, relegating them to a life of solitude.  One that is more entrenched in isolation and not getting up when the sun rises like he did and…whatever.  In other words, you're pissing off gamers.

At least I'm pissed about what he said.  How about you?