I see the obsessive types as a constant, not a creation of the hobby itself. I model wargaming miniatures but the social gimps that play insure I will never join a club or go to competitions.

I also take issue with this mantra that everything children engage in has to “teach” them something. It is a plus but entertainment can provide lessons without engaging in this silly notion that everything we do has to make us better people. There has always been a certain separation to me.

I work and when I go home, I’ve paid my dues and can do whatever the hell I want to relax. If that is paint, shoot zombies or collect coke bottles then so be it.

Part of this is a “hands off” view to life where we exist and all of that stimulai influence us because we have no core values to rely on for making decisions. Thus every experience needs to be a positive one to help keep us on the right track.

I think we’ve made the mistake that hobbies are supposed to have redeaming value outside of the enjoyment of the hobbyist. My hobby has taught me patience because if I wanted to better at my craft then I had to learn how to pace my work. It is a skill, yes but it is a beneficial aspect not the main goal. If people think I am learning nothing from my hobby, then take a hike.

I think trying to force interests in to being direct means to educate the enthusiast is a mistake, we learn these things on our own and if we refuse to see the benefits, well then thats too bad because it stunts our ability to perform at our hobby. Hobbies are supposed to let us determine how good we want to be. Where is the pride in success if you are pushed to the finish line?

I’m not making the case that video games do not teach, I simply feel people need to relax and let the positive benefits emerge, to encourage the positive benefits instead of looking for superficial learning ques to appease them. We aren’t worried about learning, we are worried about placating our sense of accomplishment by tossing in nonsense about social issues or counting.

I think most parents should see their kids as talented at games and encourage correct reactions and behavior to help them as people by showing them how they can apply in other areas, not worry if games are teaching them about social issues like sex and drugs, thats your job. Thats the difference, hobbies can teach issues if we pay attention to the wider and more subtle points, not use the bull in a china shop routine where everything has to have a “cause” attached to it to make us feel better.