QUESTION
Since humans started innovating, creating, designing, producing and utilizing of goods and services, all these are called technology. In fact technologies are started when humans were needed facilities to survive and live. For example weapons were established to protect human from animals and enemies. The best example of this is sword which technology develops it to more powerful tools like automatic guns.in the beginning of technology was to help humans to survive but in last decades it took other parts in societies which are convenience plus entertainment. Thus, they started to add entertainment in innovations. For instance, planes in 1960 c were not equipped with entertaining tools; whereas, nowadays planes are equipped with a lot of entertaining tools such as TVs, games, massage system in chairs and even shower spa. All these show how technologies were transferred from saving to entertainment.
With development of technology, innovations entered a wide world of entertainment. The best example of this is computer games which are known for their vibrant colours, sound effects and complex graphics. In fact, computer games were developed across three significant periods. First development was between 1952 and 1970 when a man called Douglas created the first graphical computer a version of Tic_Tac_Toc. This game was programmed on Electronic Delay Storage Automatic computer. However, during these periods computer game was just played on Brookhaven National laboratory. The second most important period was between 1971 and 1981 because it was the first time when computer games were entered the marketplace and could be played in home. The third period is modern period when computer games were developed to be 3D capabilities and became more accessible than ever before. In 2008, around 99% of UAS resident could have computer game such as PlayStation and X-BOX. Therefore, computer games tend to be popular among different age group because they find it interesting and enjoyable. Computer game is the same as any practical area of technology has positive and negative effects on modern societies.
Who could ever imagine that an object which is started as simple piece of entertainment could lead to the destruction of a society’s life. It is true that computer game has significant major negative impacts on societies. One of the side-effects of computer games is addiction. People could become addictive when they spend a large amount of time on playing computer game and consider it as a motivation to enter a new world specially young people who often find it challenge to make friends in their real world; while, computer games give them an easy way to interact with other people without the distress of face to face interaction. Gentile (2009) found that 8.5% of a national sample of American youths aged 8-18 years exhibited addictive. Addiction to game can affect people in education and performance in the workplace due to lack of sleep as a result of spending much time playing games. For example, addiction to computer games makes students fell asleep in schools or fall behind with assignments, so these students always get low grades. Furthermore, spending a lot of time on computer game could isolate player from their real world. According to New York Times, students who played an average of 31 hours a week, compared with 19 hours a week for other students, were more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and social phobias. Thus, computer games seem to participate in creating ineffective members who are isolated from their society, so they do not participate in developing their country. Another negative effect of computer games is the coast. Parents could fell stressful and depressed to keep up with a new released of computer games. For instance, when PlayStation three was released in 2007, the price was about 1200$ and many teenagers dreamed to have one, so they forced their parents to buy it. In addition computer games consume a high level of electricity and that lead families to face high electric ball. The online games also require the internet connection which will add heavier load to parents. These could be evidences about that computer games seem to threaten family’s s financial income. The last disadvantage is that computer game could play significant role in spreading violent among communities. Most computer game show very violent game such as war game where gamer can fight and kill in very violent way. This kind of game encourages aggression as a necessary means to win, so it could help to create cold blood killer. According to a brain scam study at Indiana university school of medicine, teenagers who played computer war game had more emotional arousal than these non-violent games. Societies should be aware of those kinds of violent game and, parent must watch their children play to avoid their children from grow in violent environment.
Whereas computer games accused of spreading violent among society and are associated with many negative effects, the one fact, that are not heard frequently, is that computer gams provide diverse helpful benefits. Actually is though that computer games could treat various disabilities and disorders. One of the anomalous methods that are Computer games being used to treat people with phobias. When patients are exposed to the source of their fear in a controlled circumstance by using computer game this could lead them to a cure. For example, a fear of confined space and height are the most common phobias which have been treated with computer games. Therefore, computer game could consider as a treatment which is an affordable option and cheaper than other form of treatment. Many doctors also advise their patient who suffer from learning impairments specially children to play computer games. In fact, the main cause of children s disabilities that their brain cannot focus on the desired language pattern. Computer games provide helpful environment that forces children s brain to process sound quickly enough and helps brain to concentrate more on language development skills. As a result it could contribute in creating educated and skilled individuals who tend to develop their society. One of the most important benefits is that computer games promote player s thinking and strategy skills. When gamer play computer games he has to think about carful panning to win ,so he require time management as well as making perfect decision to lead the main game individuality through adventure. All games administration like war, racing and football force gamer to use efficient strategies to confirm achievement. most player relate plans to real world decision making and this aid player to become more convertible and led him to think outside the box, so he become more ambitious. Thus, playing computer games have positive effects on gamer because it give him the opportunity to progress many skills like time management, thinking outside the box and carful decision. That make him effective member in the society because he will be able to use these skills to solve some issues in the community and also provide the country with functional plans to the future. Furthermore, computer games industry s economic growth provides benefits to society. Computer game industries continue to function as a vital source of employment. ‘’ currently, computer game industry directly and indirectly employ more than 120,000 people in 34 states in USA’’ (www.theesa.com , 2010). With growth of computer game industry, many people are employ and that decrease one of the biggest issue in society which is unemployment. A long that, nation’s growing appetite for computer games supports domestic gross product and national gross product. According to data recently released by the UABD group in 2010, USA computer games sales were 700 million $ (www.theesa.com , 2010). Therefore, the economic growth of computer games raises standard of living and higher employment in the societies. Overall, all these aspects show how could be computer games very beneficial and important to society.
In conclusion, computer game could have some serious negative impact on societies such as increasing crime or violent by making them addictive and also wasting money. However, there are several helpful advantages are associated with computer. These include providing treatment in medical sector and increasing economy.
The advantages could be seen to out weight the negatives. actually if the player balance his time and stop wasting his time on playing he will not become addictive which is the main cause of violent. Maybe individuals should work together to find efficient solution which are avoid the negative effects of computer
SOLUTION
Man and Machines
Evolution taught humans the art of living better than other species. Technology teaches mankind the art of living each day better than the other. There was a time when technology was considered a domain of expertise that not everyone could understand or handle. But today it is such a given, we live it and in fact probably cannot live without it. The relationship between man and machine has stood the test of time. In every era mankind has only aimed at making living easier by using the available resources in the best possible manner, with various permutation and combinations that lead to inventions and old habit die hard so that exactly what we do now and what we do best. Such is the desperation to improvise that the meaning of technology has changed from time to time. For example, how many of us will think of the remote control when we think of technological inventions? We will probably focus all our energies on the latest gizmos. Also, perhaps the only market where with each passing day products are getting cheaper is the tech industry. Technology is its own biggest competitor.
We are all slaves of technology and its various versions and one such invention is that of computer games. Computer games go back a long way and would not figure in the list of the latest technological inventions. The first video game is believed to have been launched in 1947 when a game was so designed that it could be played on the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT). (Computer Nostalgia, History of Computer Games). Though like any other form of research, data on computer games also does not have one hands down winner in terms of which computer game emerged as one that mass appeal. One big factor that played a role in how well computer games started is that at one point of time in society , like all other inventions, computers was not a product you found in every household. It was something unique, something that thought faster than the brightest sparks of mankind and did not make mathematical mistakes or need rough work space. Computers had limited access by most and therefore features and games associated with would have a naturally slowed introduction and acceptance in the society.
Today however, it is a different story. Computers and computer games are not alien to even a toddler. You have them all glued to it and this is not without serious repercussions. Computer games have both – a positive and negative impact on us, our behavior and our society. When it had just started becoming accessible to the masses it was considered something that those who are higher on intelligence and quick on the finger can win. That perception has not changed even today. Computer games in fact, provide us with a platform to keep our minds alert and our physiological responses in tandem with the mind to move swiftly and win the game. It has been noted that playing computer games can greatly enhance the hand eye co-ordination. (Contented Writer, Impact of computer games on society). Research has shown that playing computer games has enabled professional to improve the dexterity of their physical work in the work place. For instance some research shows that surgeons who play computer games are gain far more practice and get better and more skilled after repeatedly playing computer games. (Contented Writer, Impact of computer games on society). This happens when the computer games enable an individual to simulate the hand and body movement needed in the workplace. Today in many industries, simulations are used for training and for assessment of individuals on a particular skill for example pilots, flight simulation is used to give a trainee pilot the feel and experience of a real aero plane. Through the use of computer systems and advanced software trainees are made to under-go real life flying experience. (Flightsim Aviation Zone, Flight Simulation).
Computer games also enable one to enhance the ability to think faster and better as you keep getting the result immediately and this instant feedback is very motivating and challenging for the user to keep going on and keep out performing one self. Also, most of these games are timed so you have to think and plan and act within a given period, thereby, working harder and using your mental faculties to the best that you can. (Contented Writer, Impact of computer games on society). It is not without reason that computer games are thought of the game for the intellectuals.
The computer games industry has grown so much now that, today we have computer games for toddlers too. In some ways it is a good thing but in many ways it has its perils. This is a big distraction for children who are vulnerable and can cast long lasting impressions on their minds that are not necessarily positive. Computer games are being are designed to create real life situations and many of them show case a huge deal of violence. Access and use of computer games like this can have and does have very negative influence on the budding and impressionable minds of the children. Not only do they get distracted from the studies, they also don’t want to engage in outdoor activities. This can further lead to lethargy and obesity if children just sit and stare at a screen when it is their age to play sports and run around. It is not entirely gloomy when it comes to computer games and its influence on children. Schools and educational institutes are using this technology to teach thinking skills. Kids have an inherent interest in games and using computer games to learn something new is a new but soon expanding school of thought. (Chaplin Heather). The gaming industry is making the most of all this and coming up with content that can be simulated and used in schools. The society at large is welcoming this change with open arms as it is believed that real life experiences teach better than bookish knowledge and computer games and simulations are providing the society with just that.
The flip side is the negative impact of computer games and their growing presence that cannot be ignored. Computer games are an addiction. The temptation of having the game right in front of you and the endless chances you get to better your score on it makes it one of the most addictive games. It can be and has been found to be so addictive that it can even impact the number of hours one sleeps or eats. (Contented Writer, Impact of computer games on society). This is impacting adults and children alike. Addiction to computer games can make a child bunk college as easily as it can make an adult skip work or even a doctor’s appointment.
Another negative of computer games is that they are not social and if you engage with them they don’t allow you to carry on with your social life. Glued to the screens, computer games put one at the risk of getting socially isolated and can lead one to a shell and make the individual withdrawn. (Contented Writer, Impact of computer games on society).
Grown up are as vulnerable as children and this can be proved by the influence computer games are having on the thinking and behavior of people. Aggression and impatience has gone up considerably in the society and having computer games that have aggression only worsens the scenario. It not only increases the chances of losing out on human contact by getting into a shell, it can have a very negative impact if the games have too much action or combat involved in it. An individual deeply involved by the game can also get greatly inspired in his thinking and resort to aggressive responses in real life situations. Some individuals can get so absorbed in the game that they stop connecting with the real work and treat the virtual world as real.
These games are not light on the pocket either. The gaming industry is booming and is coming up with more exciting games by the day. If you get addicted and want to have the newest game in town, it can make a huge financial dent on your pocket. If you are an online gamer you would need to pay a monthly subscription as well that would only add to the cost.
The picture is not all gloomy. As we have seen there are some huge benefits as there are disadvantages of computer games on the society. During the economic crisis it was the gaming industry that showed resilience even in the face of an economic downturn. (Nasscom, the Animation and Gaming Industry in India)
If handled well, the gaming industry and the computer games can play a very positive and significant role in society. With appropriate simulations provided to children, they can move on from the age old practice of theory and cramming up. Well made simulations can add to the practical knowledge and know-how of children who will grow up to have a stronger foundation and understanding of things.
On the professional front, trainees can be trained better and employees can be helped to scale up on skills with computer games that are significant to their work scenario. Computer games are also a good way to keep mentally stimulated and busy as long as it is not engaged with for a prolonged period.
It has many positive influences on the society if handled with care and balance. As a society, we need to assess the situation for what it is and decide on how much and what nature of computer games do we want to expose the coming generations to? There probably needs to be some filtering on the nature of games that are available and the purpose for which it is being used has to be restricted. It may also be a good idea to limit the number of times one replay the game and achieve a new score that can deal with the addictiveness aspect of games. The pitfalls that the computer games have are not unbeatable and as a society we need to arrive at a situation where we keep the mind of our people ticking with games as stimulating as computer games. But at the same time, we need to ensure that this mind game does not backfire and work against the society or the individual.
The computer games are here to stay and will only get better and slicker by the day. If we can come up with measures that ensure some sense of a balance in terms of the time that goes into it, the cost incurred and the backdrop used for these games, we can arrive at a win- win situation for everyone, be it – the gaming industry, the individual, schools and offices, or the society a whole. We need to take charge of what we want, to what extent and how we want it and what is it that we do not want. It is human kind that has made technology; we need to take charge of it and not the other way around.
References
Animation and gaming industry in India. Nasscom. Retrieved from http://www.nasscom.in/animation-and-gaming-industry-indiaa-report-ernst-young
Flight simulation. Flightsim Aviation zone. Retrieved from http://www.flightsimaviation.com/_flight_simulator.html
History of computer games. Computer Nostalgia. Retrieved from http://www.computernostalgia.net/articles/HistoryofComputerGames.htm
Impact of computer games on society. Contented writer. Retrieved from http://www.contentedwriter.com/impact-of-computer-games-on-society/
School uses video games to teach thinking skills.NPR. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128081896
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