Discrimination in the video gaming society, problem?

[IcKy99]

So a couple days ago I had a business meeting 3 hours away and a bunch of us rode together in a rental van.
I took my DS with me and I was showing Brain Age off to one of the non-gamer guys I work with. No problem there.
Well turns out I left the DS in the van that night and our travel department got a call from Enterprise Rental saying that someone left an "expensive child's gift" in the van. (they had to be vague so not just anybody could claim it was theirs). I realized it may have been my DS since I hadn't seen it since then -- turns out it was.

So anyway, I go over to pick it up. The lady (probably in her 30s) asks if it was my child's. (Yeah, I take a kid with me on my business trips in a carpool). I told her it was mine "you know, 3 hour drives....". Not a huge deal, but made me feel a bit stupid. (and not just for forgetting it)

in that kind of situation i could imagine feeling a little embarrased lol

[Scooter]

A fair portion mainstream of non-gamers just can't seem to wrap their brains around the fact that gaming goes (or at least CAN go) way beyond being a toy for kids. In their minds, if an adult plays video games those individuals are either stuck in their childhood or are otherwise wholly unsophisticated. Personally, I don't see how gaming as a hobby is radically different than scrapbooking, collecting (whatever), throwing darts or snowmobiling. A hobby is a fun activity that provides enjoyment and entertainment. And, I might add, video games have reached or are approaching a level of art that most other hobbies never attempt to attain and therefore probably ARE more (or at least have the opportunity to be) meaningful. Kind of like how a good movie can make you think about a social issue, but even moreso since you actively participate in the story instead of just passively receiving it. Or, they can simply be mindless fun that exercises the brain and body and provides a release and/or relaxation.

Luckily for me, most people around here from all walks of life and ages are at least casual gamers or at the very least "get it" and as such don't view gaming as a pointless pursuit.

[Mozgus]

My response is right here, basically.

http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Mozgus ... 5413.phtml

[racketboy]

My response is right here, basically.

http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Mozgus ... 5413.phtml

I hate those "so what do you do in your spare time" questions....
I don't usually like to discuss that stuff with other people -- especially since most of the people I deal with (at work, etc) are significantly older than me and can't quite appreciate it. Even the one guy at work that is a "techie" has a good 20 years on me and is actually "out of the loop" on a lot of things.

[Mozgus]

My response is right here, basically.

http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Mozgus ... 5413.phtml

I hate those "so what do you do in your spare time" questions....
I don't usually like to discuss that stuff with other people -- especially since most of the people I deal with (at work, etc) are significantly older than me and can't quite appreciate it. Even the one guy at work that is a "techie" has a good 20 years on me and is actually "out of the loop" on a lot of things.

Eh, I've asked people that question myself. There's really no other direct way of finding out if someone plays games. I really find it so hard to believe that games are more popular than film, when no one at my work plays games besides maybe a little Halo, but fuckin' everyone loves movies. One guy said he plays some Tekken at least, so I'm like "Finally! Ok I don't really like Tekken, but I do have 5. Wanna come over sometime?". Days later he's fired.

Can I like...order some gamer friends online, and have them shipped to me freight? I'm really tired of trying to find some local ones.

[Chrono]

Well my friends are ok about it, when I was a student owning Mario Kart and 4 controllers made me pretty popular infact. My only problem is with family now, my parents wont buy me old computer games as they don't see the point, and one of my brothers doesn't see the need for violence and has told me off for playing such violent games as Rayman and Alex Kidd. I suppose it's about age, i've got a young face so it's still acceptable for me to be playing computer games, but maybe that will change in time.

[MrPopo]

Really what you have to do is move out of Kansas, Moz.

[Mozgus]

Really what you have to do is move out of Kansas, Moz.

I know, I hear it all the time, but it's just not an option.

[Hatta]

Ouch, Kansas. I'm sorry to hear that. I drive down there every month or so with my GF to visit her daughter and I can't wait to come home. Man there's nothing on the radio down there but classic rock and jesus. Not just regular jesus either, but crazy apocalyptic jesus. I swear to god too, one weekend we heard Sweet Home Alabama on the radio 4 times in 2 hours. Weird place. So weird someone wrote a book about it(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%27s_t ... ith_Kansas). Anyway, I hope you at least have a good jazz station in Kansas City. They still play jazz in Kansas City, right?

And to stay on topic, as an adult I don't feel like I get any grief from playing a lot of video games. But it is hard to find someone to play with. I find the fact that I dislike sports is more alienating than the fact that I like video games.

[racketboy]

My response is right here, basically.

http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Mozgus ... 5413.phtml

I hate those "so what do you do in your spare time" questions....
I don't usually like to discuss that stuff with other people -- especially since most of the people I deal with (at work, etc) are significantly older than me and can't quite appreciate it. Even the one guy at work that is a "techie" has a good 20 years on me and is actually "out of the loop" on a lot of things.

Eh, I've asked people that question myself. There's really no other direct way of finding out if someone plays games. I really find it so hard to believe that games are more popular than film, when no one at my work plays games besides maybe a little Halo, but fuckin' everyone loves movies. One guy said he plays some Tekken at least, so I'm like "Finally! Ok I don't really like Tekken, but I do have 5. Wanna come over sometime?". Days later he's fired.

Can I like...order some gamer friends online, and have them shipped to me freight? I'm really tired of trying to find some local ones.

Well you're about my age, so if you asked me in person, it wouldn't bother me.
It's those older people
(and yes, I'm aware that there are people on here that are older than me, so I'm sorry if I'm being stereotypical -- you guys are the exceptions to the rule!)