First of all let me start by saying I am a big gamer and I've been playing video games most of my life

Obama - Video Games "Putting New Pressures On Our Country" 

He has a point . . Why? . . .

My best friend has been playing World of Warcraft for about 2 to 3 years now and has totally lost his sense of reallity, if he's not eating, using the toilet or sleeping (which is very rare) he's playing World of Warcraft, Now his health is becomming worring because all he does it sit infront of the desktop monitor with beers and pizza's playing WOW. Docters have warned him that he needs to change his lifestyle or he's heading into an early grave. Warcraft is his LIFE! it's the saddest sh*t you've ever seen!

I Too went through a Period where I spent way to much time playing command and conquer Red Alert 2 online, Failed all my exams and was becoming Anti-social.....

Kids play games and don't want to do homework, If the addiction isn't controled it CAN and WILL get out of hand

Playing online doesn't take your breath away - Standing at the top of the Grand Canyon does.

So I'll say it again, Obama's Right . . . Lets face it, he has a point. Controled gaming can be extremely rewarding I absoloutely love it.

But as with anything Abuse can hurt you. Even if you reach level 100 in WOW, it means NOTHING the second you wake up! 

:)                  Thoughts?

there is a difference between addiction and a hobby.
everything in life can be addictive not only games i am talking about bad addiction, surely i can call myself a game addict, but i do look after my health most of the time.

An addiction to gaming is an issue with one's personality, not gaming. Gaming is a form of entertainment just like TV, movies, sports (Obama is a big fan of sports), etc. All of these things lack value if we apply Obama's logic to them because they fail to help a person advance in any way. What this ignores, of course, is that down time is essential to any successful life. People burn out without it.

Yeah I agree, I mean, although I play a lot of games, and usually miss college deadlines, I don't let the games control my life, infact, I spend a lot of time out with my friends too, socialising ofcourse haha...

And about your friend, my brother is beside me (We have a computer room with 4 computers and the PS360Wii y'see... is currently playing WoW, in a raid, and has been playing it since the week it came out, he hasn't talked to his friends for 2 years, let alone seen them, he was FORCED to go to a job interview and still failed, he's overweight and still eats etc. and well, basically, he's throwing his life away, the last time he actually went outside the house was oh, let's see... I think it was like, in January when he had to go help my dad with something... seriously, he's 20 and has very little to show what he's done with his life...

I know I can't say much because I haven't done much either, but I go out really often, still play games, I'm doing semi-okay in college, and I've got a part time job (Which pays terribly, but it's with my mate, so hey!)...

Meh, oh well, if he doesn't want to do anything, fine by me, he's the one losing out, right?

PS. I live in the UK, but if I did live in US, I'd be agreeing with Obama totally (Although I sort of am now, lol...)

Hey Jbrist, really well said. I know exactly what your brothers going through, WDF are these raids? I call him Dustbin Raids to piss my friend off lol

thats some really sad sh*t sorry to say man. Well at least you've seen first hand what it can do to you! Peace man!

Your absolutely right.

Off with his head!!!

Serious: It happens. Could happen with other forms of entertainment aswel. Everything's bad when it becomes and addiction.

I'd say the internet in general is much worse.  The 10k+ and 20k+ posters right above me kind of reinforce that.

I mean enjoying movies is one thing, giving up your life to stay on warcraft is something else!

Aye, I was disappoitned with Obama's speech and your post doesn't really reinforce his point that much. abuse of any kind can do this to people. To rant about video games so blindlessly is just foolish.