By Dan Liebman
GameZone.com
When televisions were first introduced to the consumer, their acceptance as a home entertainment device was uncertain. Some said it was a ridiculous invention, that nobody in their right mind would sit around for long periods of time, staring at a glowing box in their houses. Surely the endless flickering would dull their senses, lull them into a state of lethargy, transform them into zombies … or at the very least, make them bored.
Whether these fears were appropriate or not, there is one thing beyond questions: televisions do not live up to their full potential on their own. For the modern man, no glowing tube has fulfilled a fraction of its duty until it has been connected to a computer of some kind. Even when the workday is done, the screen cannot rest. Games represent a huge proportion of the entertainment value of any monitor or television. And while the high resolution of our HDTV can impressively display the individual hairs on the legs of a dragonfly, what we’re really thinking is “Will this make it easier to snipe my friends in deathmatch?”
Some children toddle home from school, only to plop down in front of their televisions. Without ample supervision from a caretaker, the glowing tube becomes their new teacher. Brainless cartoons, glorified drug use, unrealistic violence, unbridled advertising – it all gets soaked right into their spongy little brains. If a parent doesn’t give two spits about their child’s exposure to these elements, shouldn’t they at least have the chance to develop motor skills in the course of their learning experience?
Video games are the antithesis of television, in some ways. While a corporately-funded broadcast station tries to bombard you with deceptive imagery, the video game presents situations in which the player is in control of their destiny. Using a television, you are a mere “viewer;” using a game, you are the empowered “player.” The element of interactivity encourages initiative, demanding active participation where others might only see events unfolding that are beyond their control.
Want something more tangible? Fine. You should probably know that video games have been the subject of considerable scientific study, and many of these studies have indicated that games can significantly improve hand-eye coordination. Anyone who uses their hands for work (and who doesn’t, really?) can benefit from a bit of leisurely gaming. Need to find a good surgeon to get your appendix removed? Look for a guy who owns an Xbox 360. Medical licenses are a good sign, too.
Don’t get me wrong, television was a marvelous invention a century ago, and it still has its place today. It’s a nice diversion for restless customers in the post office line, and a great way to keep elderly folks occupied so they don’t go around robbing banks. For the rest of us, the television is but a peripheral – a single element in the grand arrangement that is our entertainment center, a shrine for our deified gaming consoles.
So the next time you power on your TV, be sure to ask yourself: Will you be a viewer, or a player?
