What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

So earlier today i was having a serious argument with a some theater kid who was saying playing video games competitively means "you have no life." However through playing video games i have met youtube celebrities, made money, and met awesome friends who i talk to all the time. Not to mention i hang out with friends i met through robotics constantly. So the question is posed, does playing video games mean you have no life? and also in general what do you guys think "having no life" means?

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

I think this is more of matter of a difference between how you spend your time and how this other kid does. He doesn't understand that, by playing video games, you have accomplished many things he may never. He sees it as, since you're different than he, you must therefore be wrong and "lifeless," which is ignorant by nature. Maybe, if you look at a "perfect life" as how this other kid lives his, yours might be lacking. But there is no one way to define what a life is, and it's not right to impose one person's standards on a another. What's important is that you do what you like to do, and it seems you've made the most of it.

Just my opinionated $0.02. Take it or leave it

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

--To me, having no life has no absolute definition--
The problem with what constitutes "not having a life" is that it's completely subjective. In other words, no one can define what not having a life entails. A guy on the baseball football and basketball team at my school might tell me i have no life because i do robotics 24/7. My sister might tell me i have no life because i play video games and computer games at home. But I might tell someone they have no life because all they do is play sports, or read books, or chill at wal-mart :D .
---Point being, it's YOUR decision if you have a life or not. If you enjoy what you're doing, regardless of it's productivity in society's eyes, you "have a life".

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

having 3,972 posts on CD?

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

Good, I still have some time before then.

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

The concept of "having no life", in my opinion, is a childish concept. It predicates on the idea that one particular way of social interaction or a particular hobby is superior to another, which is simply not the case.

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

One's opinion's about what defines "Not having a life" is going to be biased and highly subjective. I find these kinds of opinions primitive if one who declares such an argument but does not support his or her claims.

I assume the person meant that people who play video games competitively don't really contribute to society, but that's only one perspective.

I must say that there are certain video games that can really influence your life.

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

Not having a life is when a small sub-set of things consumes all your tine such that you do not meaningfully participate in other things. I have no life outside robotics, and am happy to admit it. This, like all other things occurs on a continuum, it's not black and white.

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

I was joking, I really do have a life. I have 17,231 posts on an old car message board. I'll be playing robots this weekend, but I spent yesterday changing the rearend gears in my 55 Chevy.

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

I think 21,214 is the cutoff. At that point, you are legally considered a "bot." :p

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/me...rt=posts&pp=50

Ed is catching up...

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

Not having a life means worrying about not having a life :p

In all seriousness, if you take a step back and look at yourself and don't like what you see, take the steps to change yourself. If you have no problem with who you are, hear what other people say, but don't necessarily listen to them.

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

This is a topic that has made me think for many years. I don't often voice my opinion on it because I haven't figured out how to say what I'm thinking, succinctly and clearly. I'll give it a shot today.

I've sat through many Kickoff and Championship events and listened to the wisdom of Dean, Dr. Flowers, and Dave. I've listened and listened and listened. And, I've met and talked with many of our outstanding mentors in FIRST. When talking with them, I have listened and listened and listened.

One of the main reasons that I've stayed involved as mentor is because of all of that listening and the wisdom that I've gleaned from it. There are many parts of the FIRST philosophy that have to do with hope for our futures. Hope for a very bright future. Hope. When I listen, I'm not hearing that we should only associate with our robotics friends. I'm not hearing that we should just think about the here and now and the pleasures that our skills and talents can create for the here and now. I'm hearing more about leadership development and impact on our world in a positive way via our skills development and implementation. Discovery, adventure, problem-solving applications, and thinking are constants. By being involved in a program like FIRST, it enables all of us to constantly look at the big picture and realize that it is adaptable, able to shrink or enlarge, dependent on our thinking, applications, understanding, awareness, and impact. This big picture concept applies to the FIRST community as a whole, the leadership of the FIRST community, the individuals that make up the FIRST community, and the world that we are impacting.

Realizing that the program revolves around the recruitment, growth, and development of our youth, I understand that many (probably the majority) of the people who move through the program and on into careers, may choose to work within the parameters of a smaller picture rather than challenging/pushing the boundaries of the bigger picture. A gaming community, amateur or professional, serves its purpose just as NASA serves its purpose. The career decisions (via education and goal setting) allow the participants of the FIRST programs to move in the direction they choose towards the purpose they want in their careers and lives.

The 'not having a life' opinion expressed by the theater person, could mean something along the lines of becoming comfortable with the thinking involved as students and as professionals, keeping the picture small.

Jane

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

Looking back at the time I spent playing video games, I wish I hadn't played them nearly as much. Even something as mundane as reading (which has the same sitting-still aspect that video gaming does) results in a general increase in knowledge, assuming you're reading some worth-while books.

Evaluate what you spend your time doing, and ask yourself if you're really adding value to your life. If you're spending a lot of time not adding value to your life, then you may want to revise where you spend your time.

That's really the key that I think most young adults don't really grasp. What seems important to you now probably won't be all that important in 5 years when you're worrying about getting your first serious career-style job, or applying for grad school, or trying to secure a loan for your first new car.

Ask yourself where you want to be 5 or 10 years from now and whether or not the way in which you spend most of your time is going to improve the chances of making it there. About 99% of the time, playing video games isn't going to get you very far. Of course, the same could be said about atheletics, or many other pursuits. Being one dimensional almost never pays off in the long run. Perhaps 'having a life' means, for the most part, that you're NOT just one dimensional.

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

I've always said I don't have a life.
Now I have mathematical proof to back it up!
HOORAY! (aw now I'm depressed...:( )

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

As others have said "having a life" is subjective. Only you can decided whether or not you "have a life." For me, my baseline is weather I bring value to my life and those of my friends. It seems to me that many think that there is only one correct way for "having a life" ...their way. This is an interesting question what constitutes a "life" in this relative sense. What is the common denominator between all different style of "having a life". Any one feel like doing a philosophical definition and analysis?

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

I like how you put it. Tom, if I may, I would like to add something to what you said.

"ask yourself if you're really adding value to your life or other people's lives"

I hope this will make some of us feel better. You do have a life if you add value to other people's life without adding to your own. I think another way to look at it is "Does your life have a purpose?"

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

Not having a life means not taking the time to do the things you enjoy doing. No matter what they are.

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

i would have to say that if you do not have a life you are dead, and since you are obviously not dead you have a life. problem solved

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

The most common occurrence of the "get a life" suggestion comes from people who cannot see the value of what occupies your time. They are also unable to formulate a ready explanation or defense for their own activities. Their error, of course, is apparently that they expect you to realize they are more worthwhile and respectable than you simply because they have parroted those three syllables. On the other hand, it is more polite than the ruffian, two syllable phrase that is unsuitable for mixed company.

That is not to say you should not subject your repertory of activity to scrutiny on a recurring basis, as mentioned above in this thread. Seek advice from those whom you respect. You can almost certainly ignore the envious oafs who try to elevate their own status by belittling yours. Be polite. Avoid using the 1-finger salute in response. ;)

Re: What constitutes "Not having a life"
 

When I have used the term used... "having no life", has generally meant having no face-to-face social life. I've heard people use it that are generally home-bodies, perhaps that stay at home doing useful and productive things like working on the house, or gardening or reading, but they mean they don't get out and socialize enough. Many people that become parents also say they "have no life" now that they have kids... and again, they don't mean their life isnt valuable, its just that they don't have as much of a face-to-face social life [with people their age]. Many college kids or even engineers that get sucked so deeply into work that work is all they do often say "I need to get a life". Again, they generally mean the same kind of thing.

I would guess the theater kid is using the term in this same sense. Theater by definition is a very face-to-face social activity. Video gaming is not. I've played computer games for years, and at times, I would probably have said the same thing... that I needed to "get a life".

Its not that what you are doing isn't fun or valuable or a good use of your time. And as others have said, its really all about what you think, if what you are doing makes you happy.

But after several years of knowing "the best and the brightest", I've often found that those that are happiest and most satisfied with their lives are the ones who have "gotten lives"... meaning they have meaningful face-to-face social interaction and relationships. Granted, you can make a lot of friends online, and I certainly have my share. But there is something to be said for having friends that you can go to the movies, or go mountain biking with, hang out building robots with, or wander the mall or really anything that gives you time to have meaningful face to face relationships with others.

There are several articles and studies on the phenomena of the Internet Persona, meaning that online, we have the chance to "reinvent" ourselves and be whomever we want to be. Being in the gaming world, I'm sure you have seen it... the men that play women characters, the 10 year olds that pose as adults. We all have the opportunity to be something different. But the problem there is that in general it leads to less genuine interactions. In most cases you don't get to know "the real person" and their "real weaknesses". You only get to know what they type. What they allow you to know. While this can be true face to face, it generally happens less often. For whatever reason, we are more vulnerable in person.

This may be digging a little deep, but there have been many studies that have looked at internet usage vs social anxiety & depression. While the internet provides a whole host of opportunities we have never had before, and can do great things, there is still a real need for face to face social interaction. And ultimately a balance of both worlds seems to be the healthiest.

But again, overall do what makes you happy, and ultimately, don't worry about what others think of you. But make sure you have the friends and support network you need... and ultimately for many of us, having friends we can count on leads to "having a life" :)