This flash really made me think about my time wasted.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - Printable Version

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This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - IllegallySane - 2010-02-15

*I'm posting this here so more people can read about it. If this is too serious to be in the Funhouse, feel free to move it to The Speakeasy.*

Never thought I'd find something that'd open my eyes from a site such as Newgrounds:
"The Only Thing I Know"
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/527091

It's also on Youtube:
[YOUTUBE]YKBRG_QgEAM[/YOUTUBE]

It made me think of what things in my life has really taking up a lot of my time. I realize the constant distractions that the internet throws at me is a bad idea. I actually managed decent control over my time spent on gaming, but there's other things that take up my time as well. I used to lose control over myself with gaming (console and online) like it was portrayed in the flash, but I managed to put a lid over my addictive nature; I can still lose track of time, but it no longer as big a problem as it was before.

I'm currently planning to shave the following things out of my life because of the flash animation/video:
1. The weekly Dungeons and Dragons game (That's ~6-7 hours a week taken away from me while I'm still in college. Even when I've having a busy week I still try to attend). Admittedly I thought about this only a couple days ago as well.
2. The religious weekly visit to my friend's house (majority of the time is just to game with them; sometimes we watch a movie, but that happens less often just gaming with them. That's another ~4-5 hours spent. Going to just go visit when I am completely done/ahead of my studies)
3. Be wary of TVTropes, Cracked.com, Youtube, random webcomics (in order of how much time I'd spend)
4. Think about seriously taking it easy on Maple; I don't care anymore about leveling to 200

The thing for 1 & 2 is that I mostly attend the weekly games and visit my friend(s) weekly because I'd feel guilty of letting them down for not showing up. I now realize that's actually peer pressure, and I feel stupid for letting that get in the way of my studies. I'm not failing classes because of them, but it's really getting in the way of reaching my full potential. I've probably achieved about ~70-80% of my potential.

Gaming will also be considered, but sadly I actually waste way more time on the internet per week than I game per week. Those extra 10-12 hours per week from reducing 1 & 2 from my life will really add up. 3 can add a good few hours a week on a good week, but on a bad week I wouldn't be surprised to lose nearly 12-18 hours of my time on a bad week, and then 4 will allow me to break free of how grindy it's become as I am almost 170.

I do admit, what I really got from that flash animation was how much time I wasted on things on the internet as distractions, and to a small extent gaming, that I could have used on other things. I watch TV, but there could be other shows I could have discovered. I could also use the extra time to finally watch shows that I still have archived on my hard drive for months. I have also some books I haven't read/finished because of a combination of school, internet distractions, and of course 1 & 2.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - Beg - 2010-02-15

For a spam board this place is unusually informative sometimes. I am also guilty of spending far too much time on mere entertainment to the point I had to give away my account to a friend and make them change the password so I couldn't get on it (they can still use it though if they need to). Also uninstalled Maple until I could exercise some self control over what I do. This is only the start though, as Maplestory fansites exist; now I most learn to stop alternating between SP.net and Basil for hours on end. >_>

However, I don't see any issue with "wasting" a few hours on entertainment every day if you feel that the rest of your life was in check and healthy, especially if you're "wasting" it with others (such as D&D, L> D&D group srsly).

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - DeanNim - 2010-02-15

i start conversations(irl) about what happened on facebook/twitter and it can get pretty long. i play maplestory just to say hi to my guild now.

im fine, i guess ?

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - Sn1perJohnE - 2010-02-15

I kinda agree with what your saying (cant watch the video atm) on my own level, but when I put my time into a retrospective, its still seems like Id end up playing maple the same amount.

I usually play later each night or most night, because Im limited to what I can do with my dial up connection at home. I have found that, when I do have a higher speed connection at my dads house, I am more apt to fore go playing maple (again, later at night, I may play some during the day when I am not doing anything) for browsing the internet and entertaining myself with things I cant do at my house.

With those in mind, there are a few things Id change for myself, the main one being my sleep pattern. Currently I naturally feel drowsy around 3 AM, and fall asleep around then as well, and I wake up on days I dont have an early class around 1 PM. I would really like to push that 3 AM to 12 AM, but its been like this for a while now.

Overall, I really dont know what I would do if I were to cut certain things out of my time consumed. Sure I can watch more TV, but I find it very unproductive to sit in front of the TV when you can do something else as well. Already my time during the day is taken up most by driving my mom around because she has a suspended license, school, and other running around. The last hours between 10-11 PM and 3 AM are the times I am able to do stuff, and normally I cant do much because of the dial up. If I were to have another game to play (FF13 is coming up fast, as well as others) or a book that holds my attention well, I will either focus on it completely, or I will check a few things online, then read a large chunk, and keep switching back and forth. School atm isnt too much of an issue, since ive been going to college for 7 years, Im now taking classes for my art major that really dont require much in the likes of homework.

I do hope the changes you make work for you. I just know for some people, it might not seem like its worth it.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - DrRusty - 2010-02-15

Very interesting video. I find myself in front of the computer A LOT, but I always make sure I have time for other things. I spend at least 10 hours of my day at work + school 5 days a week, and only play WoW if I wake up early and before bed. Weekends depends on different things, but I also work Saturday.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - finalbragade - 2010-02-15

Very informative however i can't help but feel insulted... I may have misinterpreted but he seems to think anyone that picks up a controller is dommed from the start. I have a GF (no not some overweight twilight fan girl), good grades, hell I'm actually in college learning how to make video games because i like them so much but i RARELY get less then 6 hours a sleep per night and even though i spend a lot of time on the computer i socialize with people in real life on a daily basis. idk maybe I'm the condtion that breaks the rule.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - xAyakoCx - 2010-02-15

Whoever made this has some detailed points. Can't sit infront of the computer a lot, but I do important things in life. Sometimes I draw alot, but video games get into my imagination. Well, at least I go to school. But during my exam hours, before exams, I will try to revise and leave the computer alone FOR ONCE.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - IllegallySane - 2010-02-15

Beg Wrote:However, I don't see any issue with "wasting" a few hours on entertainment every day if you feel that the rest of your life was in check and healthy, especially if you're "wasting" it with others (such as D&D, L> D&D group srsly).

True, but not only were there weeks I'd still play despite having loads of homework (that I end up pulling an all-nighter doing) or I'd push aside studying time for a quiz/exam because I didn't want to let the group down, the DnD group is an AIM group, so things don't go as efficiently. There's a lot of derailment and the fact 3/4 of all of us need to AFK at some point during the session, each of the 3 of us taking ~30-45 minutes, so in honesty we probably get only ~2 hours worth of work done in those 5-7 hours. It just feels really wasteful now that I think about it. At least real life sessions are less prone to derailment, and are simply faster since the DM and everybody aren't all typing out everything and aren't randomly AFKing. Heck, the last real life game I attended at the DM's house where we only spent ~2 hours me and my friend got more progress made than we'd get in possibly 2 AIM sessions.

It's just that I've realized how my internet related splurges, I keep telling myself it's not as bad because they are not gaming, but time wise it's just as bad as how the user described his addiction to video games. Not only that, the video showed in essence that same path I was taking just several years ago when I was addicted to WoW raiding and my DS. Thank god for 10-man versions of raids that I have something to look forward to whenever I feel like going back to WoW. As for my DS, I'd spent a good 1-3 hours sometimes staying up late in my bedroom playing; no more of course.

*Maple is also another thing. I guessed that for me to get to 200 I'd need to play another 8-10 months, and that's with 2x 30 day cards. I seriously contemplated is this really a good use of my time, especially since there are still future Pirate updates that will either make the class awesome or bad, in comparison to others. I don't know about you, but leveling ~20% faster really adds up in leveling to 200. I might as well take it easy until those updates come, and even then I may or may not buy 2x EXP cards anymore; I may just make money to turn into NX for my DFO needs.

Suffice to say, I can still do more in life if I can kick procrastination to the curb. I still need to get a couple part time jobs under my belt for the experience so it'd look nice on a resume. Cutting out the DnD weekly group can allow me exactly that.

finalbragade Wrote:Very informative however i can't help but feel insulted... I may have misinterpreted but he seems to think anyone that picks up a controller is dommed from the start. I have a GF (no not some overweight twilight fan girl), good grades, hell I'm actually in college learning how to make video games because i like them so much but i RARELY get less then 6 hours a sleep per night and even though i spend a lot of time on the computer i socialize with people in real life on a daily basis. idk maybe I'm the condtion that breaks the rule.

It's not that anyone that picks up a controller/game is doomd from the start, but that when one falls down the path of being addicted to video games he showed how much time one can waste and the effects of it after a few decades. At ~4:23 in the animation (if you use the Youtube one) he does show that healthy gamers game not just for the games themselves, but for meeting and interacting with new people.

*I agree with you oh the sleeping pattern thing John. I'm seriously an insomniac/night owl that the earliest I sleep is ~1 AM, and the norm is 2-3 AM. I need to at least start sleeping at ~midnight.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - Devil - 2010-02-15

Kinda funny how that video stated: "You could read x number of books instead of playing games".

Unless it's an educational book, books are also purely made for entertainment, and don't make you smarter that way either... Smile

Also, totally switching the subject... let's all stop working, since working for a company and doing stupid and retarded jobs, don't make you smarter either and are technically speaking a waste of your social life too... Tongue

Last point: Being "smart" is overrated... the point of life is not doing stupid things... things like voting for Sarah Palin, shouting Obama is an evil communist, or claiming the Haiti earthquake was an act of God... And trust me, people who did this, didn't all play games excessively... Smile

For me, playing online games, allowed me to meet hundreds of people from all over the world I would never have met when I wouldn't have played online games. Not be able to meet these people face to face doesn't lessen that experience and noone can take that away from me forever...

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - Kawasari Mimoto - 2010-02-15

This is so true. I feel this way at times too. However, video games is also a way for me to be with my friends. We don't need it, but it makes things interesting. Which is why I play Smash so much . . . my friends all plays it. -shrugs- When they don't play it, I don't either. We either drink or talk about other things. Your life doesn't have to revolve around entertainment, but you should shape it in a way that it can be of use. Like how I use it as a way of interacting with my friends in a different way. Same goes for drinking, and so on and so on.

If your entire life is video games, and no socialization, of course you're missing out on a lot. I go out a lot more than I used to, and I'm grateful.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - KaidaTan - 2010-02-15

Time you enjoyed wasting is not time wasted.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - butterfλi - 2010-02-15

Devil Wrote:Kinda funny how that video stated: "You could read x number of books instead of playing games".

Unless it's an educational book, books are also purely made for entertainment, and don't make you smarter that way either...

Also, totally switching the subject... let's all stop working, since working for a company and doing stupid and retarded jobs, don't make you smarter either and are technically speaking a waste of your social life too...

Last point: Being "smart" is overrated... the point of life is not doing stupid things... things like voting for Sarah Palin, shouting Obama is an evil communist, or claiming the Haiti earthquake was an act of God... And trust me, people who did this, didn't all play games excessively...

For me, playing online games, allowed me to meet hundreds of people from all over the world I would never have met when I wouldn't have played online games. Not be able to meet these people face to face doesn't lessen that experience and noone can take that away from me forever...

The point is not "omg everything in lyfe sux and is pointless lets just stop doing EVERYTHING" and it's definately not "gaming will destroy your life, stop gaming NOW". With everything in life, as long as it's kept in moderation it is not a negative thing. Reading is a source of entertainment too but along with it comes developed reading skills and if you think about what you've read, it comes with some critical thinking skills. Working some dead end job, like gaming gets you no where in life either but at least it can pay for living expenses whereas gaming contributes to expenses. Of course if those things aren't in moderation, they're just as bad as gaming. Working endless hours on something you don't like will increase your stress levels, lacking sleep hours and sometimes mental disorders. You can say that for just about anything: sex, shopping, gaming and internet. There's a good and healthy development from each of those but it comes with negative effects as well. That is the case with finalbragade - gaming didn't take a heavy toll on his life as much as some others.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - Spideyjvc - 2010-02-15

If you enjoy your hobbies more than other things, then you're not "wasting" the best years of your life. If you'd rather sit at home playing games than "doing something productive", and you're truly enjoying yourself, you're not wasting your life.

Such entertainment is created for the purpose of your enjoyment. If you don't enjoy something about it, then stop and do something that you would enjoy. Perhaps you should balance out your hobbies a bit then if you're worried about "wasting your life" on video games. I'm sure the guy who made this didn't really play video games exclusively and nothing else. I'm sure he watched TV, watched movies, probably read books. He was social enough to get marries, and you can't get married if you're doing nothing but playing video games all day (unless it was some sort of online relationship he was referring to).

The person who made this is simply reflecting on their own life and filling in the "what if" scenarios. He's glorifying them, thinking "Boy, my life would be so much better if I did x instead of y" in his head. I'm sure there are many people who do this, after all humans aren't perfect creatures and make mistakes. Everyone here has regretted at least one decision they made in life, even if it was small. I regretted not paying attention to my Gameboy bag when I was younger and my mother dragged me to a birthday party for a friend's son. I was playing my Ninja turtles, and was so into the game, that I forgot where I placed my bag that had a handful of other games. I lost my freaking Super Mario Land that day. I still remember that day in my mind, and I still remember all the times where I thought "man, Super Mario Land would be so perfect to play in this situation."

That's what this guy is doing. He's looking back in life and thinking too hard on the "what if" scenarios. Want to know something? Most people aren't content with their lives, especially at the age I'd imagine this guy (he was married once and got divorced, I'd imagine he's somewhere in his 30's). So, he traced back his life and tried to target what was wrong about it. Funny thing is, I'm sure if he did everything that he regretted not doing, he'd still not be content with his life. He'd fine some other hobby along the way that he would regret. If he's giving up one form of entertainment, surely he'll find another. By that point, he may or may not blame his choice of entertainment as he bewails the path he's taken on life.

You can choose to take his word if you want, but really, when I see this I see a saddened man who's trying to shovel the blame as to why his life is so bad on his hobbies. He thinks he spends a lot on video games? That's nice buddy, but guess what? Look at any other form of entertainment and you'll see that you spend money. Do you know why? Because if there's some fun to be made out of it, someone will find a way to make a profit off it. Through our lives we live through a cycle of getting money from job, most likely doing something we'd rather not be doing, so that way we can spend that money on something we want to be doing. If you didn't spend that money on games, you'd spend it on partying all day with your friends, or on buying sports gear for playing football with the boys, or even dump it all on some broad that you thought was "the one" until the spark eventually died and you went your separate ways.

Humans have unlimited wants. If he didn't play video games his life, he'd surely fill the void with something else. He thinks that if he could redo his life without games, that he'd mold the ideal life, but he's sadly mistaken. He'd still have problems. Hell, he may even end up in the same situation he is when he made this video, but he'd make a video blaming how much attention he paid to girls while neglecting his friends or something.

This video truly represents the fact that no human views their life as "perfect" because there is always something else that you want. You could have all the money you could wish for, and in the end there will still be something you want that's unobtainable. Forcing yourself away from something yoy truly enjoy so you can partake in something you enjoy less is a move that I feel is rather foolish. There's no reason to take his word to heart, because chances are you won't "improve" your life by breaking away from what you truly enjoy for something that society values more.

tl;dr - He was married, he couldn't have been nearly as addicted to games as he leads us to believe. He's using gaming as a scapegoat for why his life sucks.

By the way, I didn't read anything in this thread yet. I might update this post with quotes and such after I'm done.

KaidaTan Wrote:Time you enjoyed wasting is not time wasted.

Exactly.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - KaidaTan - 2010-02-15

Spideyjvc Wrote:
Spoiler

Exactly.

Within reasonable means, of course. It's good that a video like this is there if only to help people take a second look at their habits, but for the most part his words should be taken with a grain of salt.

EDIT: Wtp? Where'd that image come from? I didn't see that in your post.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - GayChinchilla22 - 2010-02-15

Added several bits of missing unix support, including:

I figured out the bug that was causing unix systems not to show the images. It was a pathname problem, and is fixed now. Let me know if you still have problems with this, becuase I only have Ubuntu as a non-windows system to test on.

Also, included a shell script to excute the program properly in unix systems. For some reason, when I double-clicked on the jar, it looked in my home directory for the config file and couldn't find it. This shell script fixes this problem.

Note that if you use a unix system, you will have to edit the sample config file, beause the default directory "C:\Balls\" is not a valid unix pathname.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - Greg - 2010-02-15

KaidaTan Wrote:Time you enjoyed wasting is not time wasted.

I tried using this quote on my dad back when I was grinding my Shadower from 160-170. It didn't work and he called me a moron. ;_;

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - Bacon - 2010-02-15

Greg Wrote:I tried using this quote on my dad back when I was grinding my Shadower from 160-170. It didn't work and he called me a moron. ;_;

I like your dad.

[Image: x2f8t.png]

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - Milelke - 2010-02-15

Quote:Time you enjoyed wasting is not time wasted.

Thats like saying:
"Well, I missed my wedding, but hey, at least I enjoyed myself while I was missing it!"

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - Spideyjvc - 2010-02-15

Milelke Wrote:Thats like saying:
"Well, I missed my wedding, but hey, at least I enjoyed myself while I was missing it!"

If you truly enjoyed what you were doing more than the wedding, then does that reflect more on you, or your view on the relationship?

If you miss your own wedding, chances are you wouldn't have enjoyed the marriage anyway. It wasn't important enough to you, and you didn't take it seriously.

This flash really made me think about my time wasted. - KaidaTan - 2010-02-15

Milelke Wrote:Thats like saying:
"Well, I missed my wedding, but hey, at least I enjoyed myself while I was missing it!"

I clarified that statement in the next post. And also what Spidey just said.