Smash_Brother said:
I used to play WoW and think there was nothing better I could be doing with my time, either. Then I quit, got a girlfriend and started my own company, none of which would've been possible if I had still spent all my time sitting on my ass playing WoW.
I understand perfectly well why people keep playing the game: the human brain is wired in such a way that "progress", in any form or flavor, satisfies an intrinsic need to feel a sense of accomplishment. It's an evolutionary trait, because the humans who didn't feel driven to achieve a sense of accomplishment didn't achieve anything and as a result didn't hunt for enough food to sustain them and their families. That's what WoW does: it makes you feel a sense of progress and accomplishment, even though you've actually made neither. That's why it's so incredibly addictive. They call it a "leveling treadmill" because you get a sense of forward motion even though you're stationary. And yes, I left and went back a few times before quitting for good as well. Now, I could never go back to playing Wow again. My life has come so very far since that time and I have many things that need my attention, REAL things, REWARDING things. Not trying to turn this into a rehabilitated WoW thread or anything, but seriously, quit the game before it eats up any more of your time and money. |
Sigh. It is really sad just how much you don't get it. Do you play video games? Do you sit there and kill the next big boss or save the trapped princess? I am going to assume you will say yes given where this conversation is taking place. Playing WoW is no different than playing Soul Calibur, Final Fantasy, or Madden. It is simply a game and a way to spend ones free time. You seem to have an extremely addictive personality and so could do nothing other than play the game. I continue to hold a job, go to school, have an active social life, and date without the need to swear off on specific game. Projecting your subjective experiences on the masses is a bad idea. Simply put, the game never has, and never will affect my life negatively. I spend more time reading than I do playing WoW and I am willing to bet you wouldn't suggest I give up books.
Oh and to clarify the statement you are attempting to twist to your ends I will say this is the time I normally play WoW. Or if I wake up early I will do it. Or maybe I am meeting some friends in a couple hours and want to just kill some time. Or maybe I have insomnia and want a few people to talk to so I log on and chat a bit while my other friends sleep. I assure you that I could do nothing more productive with these odd times than just entertain myself for a couple hours.
