Sessler's Soapbox: Not So Fast, Obama

As the comments section shows, many of you had a lot to say about President Obama's recent comments about video games and iPods. In case you missed it, you can find his quote right here. Now that you have a frame of reference, you're fully prepared for this week's edition of Soapbox. Adam decides to not argue with Obama, but challenge him to change the way he thinks about gaming. Where the President might only see it as a distraction from learning, Adam sees interactive media as a form of mental exercise, challenging your mind to think in abstract ways and solve problems in worlds with different rules and consequences than our own. What's your take?

[rroded]

makes you think improves your hand eye coordination n all that

wonder why obama took the anti game stance now ppl were sayin he was like the next gen pres but now he says he cant work a ps3 or 360 so he only plays wii...

like dudes trying ta b cool thinking most of this stuff hes spewing is straight from his spin/pr team...

[Darkstorn]

Obama is not anti-game, he's just one of the tens of millions who doesn't understand gaming. I think his point is sound, even if it comes off a little harsh.

[RememberThe357]

He told some students that spending time playing videogames and doing other things takes away from time you could be using to study. Pure logic.

BTW Are we not embedding videos anymore?

@KingME: Exactly. Bubbles for you.

[KingME]

The way some people responds to his comments kind of lends to what he's saying. His speech was meant to get parents and the rest of society to make sure that the youth of today is getting out more often, playing softball, reading a book every now and then and maintaining a level of socialization rather than all of their friends being an avatar on NG4 or some chat room.

Look around in your neighborhoods, people over age 30 should easily be able to see that kids playing outside in your neighborhoods has change drastically since you were kids. The youth of today are becoming more and more anti-social and part of that is because they don't get out enough.

So, I really didn't see it as the president being anti-game, I think what he really is, is anti-lazy bum sitting on his ARSE doing nothing but playing games. If this is not you, then he's not talking about you. If this is you, then look in the mirror and reflect (no pun intended) on how culturally diverse are you, do you know simple base things as a US citizen (obviously I'm talking about US citizens) that you should know like how many branches of the US government are there and what are they.

Anyway, just wanted to say, I don't think Obama is anti-video games, I think he's worried about our youth being left behind the rest of the world as far as education goes and perhaps attributes some of that to kids playing video games too often.

[Darkstorn]

@KingME-
Sad, but true. We're really lagging behind Europe in terms of education (I think we're beneath Romania now...), so that alone should be a wake-up call to invest in the education of our youth.

[UP]

Our Colleges are the best in the world tho

[oohWii]

But they are populated 40 percent by foriegn students.

[tinybigman]

well said is all i'll say

[Darkstorn]

@UP-
Our only college that is higher than any other country's university is Harvard. In addition, it's quite difficult to get into colleges in the U.S., and most Western European nations offer taxpayer-funded college educations to students, effectively making them 'free.' As you probably know, we have a huge problem with student debt in this country.

[Syronicus]

He sure was not against his face being on bilboards in paradise city but now that he wants to shield us from "information" he is all against digital media. All I can say is wake up kids, this guy is an socialist as they come and if you voted for him the you need to rethink what country you want to live in...

[TheCapto]

As usual, Sessler has a good, intelligent, reasoned take.

[Zerodin]

Anyone who uses the words "Sessler" and "Intelligent" in the manner you just did, needs punched in the taco!

[ikkeweer]

But he´s OK to me, aslong as he doesn´t take things too personal and starts quoting letters from fanboys.

[Strikepackage Bravo]

has Sessler said that is soo stupid, he usually makes pretty good sense I think, please explain why you think he is such an idiot, did he say something mean about a PS3 exclusive once or something?

[UP]

I like how you are the first person to bring up fanboyism.

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

Sessler, imo, is the least biased out of the G4TV members.

I really believe he loves video games and enjoys his jobs, which is why I personally don't mind him at all and enjoy his videos.

[playstation_clan]

if people play call of duty more, that would train us for war. Come on Obama, think outside the lines here

EDIT: if you have a K/D ratio of 1.8 and above, it will make you general

[LinuxGuru]

lol can you imagine if the military assigned rank by statistics or K/D ratio in Call of Duty

[ThatArtGuy]

Uhh... no.

[Lich120]

Mines 1.65... wheres that put me? Maybe around Major General? Because Ill totally take being a 2star. Those guys make mucho bucks.

[Syronicus]

I'm at 1.8 so can I lead an army?

[EvilBlackCat]

STAY AWAY OF MY GAMES CORRUPTED GOVERNMENT

[PeptoBismol]

the government is corrupt, yes

but Sessler for President? hell no

[pimpmaster]

thats actually pretty scarry. ^^ thinking of kd ratio in real life.. cause youll be dead forever.

[bjornbear]

you're safe ;)

[pimpmaster]

i dont think it matters either way what your k/d ratio was anyways when you die cause an unexpected IED blows your vehicle up and burns u alive.

[nefertis]

As much as I like obama I will say this he better not get rid of videogames, because there be chaos at the white house.

[Crusade]

You honestly believe he's gonna get rid of video games. Really?

[Persistantthug]

error

[RememberThe357]

Are you kidding me? How do people make these mental leaps? Someone says "spend more time studying than play video games" and you think that they want to outlaw the entire industry? How do you do that?

[mindedone]

there has been so much overreacting in regards to his comment. Maybe you guys SHOULD put down the xboxes ans playstations and open up a calculus book or something

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

@mindedone
Calculus sucks, rather take physics again.

[mindedone]

without calculus?

[Persistantthug]

:P

[BannedForNineYears]

Wow guys, he's saying "He better not".
And you think he means "they want to outlaw the entire industry".

Hypocrite much?

[RememberThe357]

If the thought that they would take away videogames never entered his mind he wouldn't have said "he better not." That is not hypocritical at all and involves analysis of his comment. There are not mental leaps in that analysis and not illogical conclusions.

My point was to ask how someone can hear the President speak about spend more time studying then have the thought that he might "get rid of videogames."

[BannedForNineYears]

Eh, usually I disagree with Adam Sessler. But I couldn't agree more, regarding this topic at least.

Haha.

[Dylantalon1]

Obamas opinion on spending too much time playing video games is correct and to even question that fact means you are either an imbecile or looking for reasons to disagree with him. i love video games and entertainment but too much can become intrusive on a productive lifestyle. lets be real, anyone with a full time job and a social life or family wont have countless hours to spend playing video games. some video games are educational but i'm sure we all know that he's not talking about those.

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

By saying that anyone that disagrees with his opinion is an imbecile, do you realize how idiotic that makes you sound?

[Biggest]

How about this? Explain how spending most of your time wasting your time benefits the person wasting their time. Not all of the president's opinions are gospel. But in this case, his opinion isn't an opinion at all. It is a fact.

[jack who]

proving obama right...how many of your friends phone number do you know without look in your phone?.....now take your self back too 1999 1998 2000 and ask that same question.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

Not a huge Obama fan, but I agree. He's probably never played a lot of current-gen games though. If he has time to play them, he's not doing his job right.

[Enigma_2099]

... do your homework first, then you can game for the rest of the night...

[thehitman]

G4 idiots at it again...

[djfullshred]

Both sides are extreme. Games can be fun entertainment, if done in moderation with a normal lifestyle. On the other hand, they don't make you smarter, or better at any real life skills.

[booni3]

i see only sessler making an attempt to assuage the harsh opinons that may have risen in response to the presidents comment. theres nothing wrong with making a stand for gaming.

[bessy67]

Sometimes, I need a distraction from all things school related so I don't go insane. I agree that video games in excess can be a bad thing, but it can also be a way to relieve stress and clear my mind.

Also, why only attack video games and ipod? How is any entertainment any different? Oh wait, it's because everyone in Hollywood is rich and liberal and contributed to his campaign...