Computers

If you are reading this, you are most likely on line. This morning, I heard a disturbing radio piece on computer gaming and children. The designers of computer games are using neuroscience to get children to spend money on computer games. In other words, they are brainwashing children by promoting an addiction to their products. This is vile. 

All the hype about the advantages of computer games for brain function does not justify the obesity, deterioration of socialization, violence and materialism which computer games promote in children who are allowed by parents to sit for hours every day in front of them. I am speaking of children here. Young children, whose brains are easily imprinted and manipulated.

I have no children. I have limited interest in children. However, as a human being with a brain I know that corrupting children's minds in this way is not beneficial to the species to which I belong. Computer gaming has increased, and so have drop-out rates. Computer gaming has increased, and so have the incidents of child-on-child violence. The developers of these games are not interested in their social impact. They are not interested in simply making enough money to support their craft. They are interested in making massive amounts of money in profits.

Yesterday I heard an encouraging story about a teacher who is fighting obesity in her early education classroom. She has gotten her students to jump and do exercises for 15-20 minutes during her class time. This has been shown to assist in weight maintenance and the development of proper bone density. It was encouraging because the exercise is not centered on conflict. It requires no special equipment. She is teaching these children that mobility is fun, social and healthy. Brava!

The contrast between the two stories is obvious. It is discouraging to see the disparity between the social positions of cynical computer-game developers and elementary teachers like this brilliant and compassionate woman. If I were a parent, I would readily see the better influence on my child.