Lies About "Gamers" That People Still Believe
Not all gamers are stinky, fat introverts dwelling
in a basement. Not all gamers are socially awkward teens with four eyes
and greasy hair. In fact, if we all took a step back and ignored the
depiction of gaming enthusiasts, we might come to see that most video
game fans are just normal folks who want to be entertained.
You might roll your eyes and think, “Stereotypes exist for a reason.” Yes, on some level that is true. Stereotypes don’t form in a vacuum and it would be dishonest to say that stereotypes can’t be true. However, stereotypes are contextual — perhaps true in a given time period or setting but never across the board.
The worst gamer stereotypes often develop based on a vocal minority . It’s not so much that gamers are jerks. Rather, jerks who play games are the most likely to be vocally prominent, making it easy to assume that they represent all gamers.
Here are some of the worst stereotypes that just aren’t true in this day and age.
Gamers Are Lazy
This is one stereotype that really bogged me down during my own childhood . On the one hand, it’s very unfair. Binging on Netflix and watching entire seasons of television at a time? Is that Normal?, Reading book after book after book? Admirable. Sinking hours into Facebook, Twitter or Instagram? Everyone does it!! .
Yet once you invest time into video games, suddenly you’re a lazy loser with no passions or life goals. Not to say that gaming is any better than other forms of media, but it certainly isn’t any worse.
Of course, some people do find themselves addicted to video games because they offer a safe form of mental escape. However, isn’t that the same for all forms of entertainment? Just as Netflix, books and Snapchat all provide a moment of fresh air in the busyness of life, so does video games. I know a lot of gamers that are the exact opposite of being lazy. So it's unfair to think of all gamers as lazy.
You might roll your eyes and think, “Stereotypes exist for a reason.” Yes, on some level that is true. Stereotypes don’t form in a vacuum and it would be dishonest to say that stereotypes can’t be true. However, stereotypes are contextual — perhaps true in a given time period or setting but never across the board.
The worst gamer stereotypes often develop based on a vocal minority . It’s not so much that gamers are jerks. Rather, jerks who play games are the most likely to be vocally prominent, making it easy to assume that they represent all gamers.
Here are some of the worst stereotypes that just aren’t true in this day and age.
Gamers Are Lazy
This is one stereotype that really bogged me down during my own childhood . On the one hand, it’s very unfair. Binging on Netflix and watching entire seasons of television at a time? Is that Normal?, Reading book after book after book? Admirable. Sinking hours into Facebook, Twitter or Instagram? Everyone does it!! .
Yet once you invest time into video games, suddenly you’re a lazy loser with no passions or life goals. Not to say that gaming is any better than other forms of media, but it certainly isn’t any worse.
Of course, some people do find themselves addicted to video games because they offer a safe form of mental escape. However, isn’t that the same for all forms of entertainment? Just as Netflix, books and Snapchat all provide a moment of fresh air in the busyness of life, so does video games. I know a lot of gamers that are the exact opposite of being lazy. So it's unfair to think of all gamers as lazy.
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