01-31-2009, 11:05 PM
So what's wrong with the wargames? 
I do not consider artificial computer agents conscious. And in the sense that you could consider them approaching consciousness it is their function to die in horrible ways and then to respawn and do it again. Happiness comes by finding our goal in life and achieving it. Happyness also comes from learning from defeat and finding better ways.
Some research indicated that it was tremendously pleasing for players to get themselves killed in multi player video games. It's like playing tag, chess and hide and go seek at the same time. The excitement and tension is the thrill of it, and then when it all goes bad and you get defeated by a skillful opponent in an ingenious way.. Then this grants satisfaction. Nothing is better than ALMOST getting the virtual job done. There are no negative consequences from losing a game. But there are positive consequences.
Not to mention the wonder that we have many people these days who don't think anything about having friends in other countries. Kids speak foreign languages and have a broad perception. They learn to handle money and other resources. They learn planning, quick reflexes and mouse eye coordination which comes in handy later on.
Games teach separation since you're an individual in a game world. But in the case of world of warcraft. Well. Unless you learn to work in a team. Unless you follow orders and learn to suggest alternatives in ways that the other players will listen to you. Well, you're not getting far are you?
I played wow a few years ago. One thing that I remember is a 13 year old kid who accidentally ended up in a guild filled with young adults. At first he had a hard time fitting in but he learned to give and take and from this giving and taking he matured. He found his place in an unusual setting for a 13 year old. And I believe he did well. The problem with kids often is that they are left to their own devices with parents that are too busy to be fully available. A safe virtual community can become a home to a kid. It's not perfect but often good none the less.
I do not consider artificial computer agents conscious. And in the sense that you could consider them approaching consciousness it is their function to die in horrible ways and then to respawn and do it again. Happiness comes by finding our goal in life and achieving it. Happyness also comes from learning from defeat and finding better ways.
Some research indicated that it was tremendously pleasing for players to get themselves killed in multi player video games. It's like playing tag, chess and hide and go seek at the same time. The excitement and tension is the thrill of it, and then when it all goes bad and you get defeated by a skillful opponent in an ingenious way.. Then this grants satisfaction. Nothing is better than ALMOST getting the virtual job done. There are no negative consequences from losing a game. But there are positive consequences.
Not to mention the wonder that we have many people these days who don't think anything about having friends in other countries. Kids speak foreign languages and have a broad perception. They learn to handle money and other resources. They learn planning, quick reflexes and mouse eye coordination which comes in handy later on.
Games teach separation since you're an individual in a game world. But in the case of world of warcraft. Well. Unless you learn to work in a team. Unless you follow orders and learn to suggest alternatives in ways that the other players will listen to you. Well, you're not getting far are you?
I played wow a few years ago. One thing that I remember is a 13 year old kid who accidentally ended up in a guild filled with young adults. At first he had a hard time fitting in but he learned to give and take and from this giving and taking he matured. He found his place in an unusual setting for a 13 year old. And I believe he did well. The problem with kids often is that they are left to their own devices with parents that are too busy to be fully available. A safe virtual community can become a home to a kid. It's not perfect but often good none the less.