10 Biggest Lies Gamers Tell Themselves

1. I'm Not Wasting My Life Right?

I was recently looking through my Xbox Live achievements and the thought struck me: I wonder what I could have accomplished in the total time that my gamerscore represents (close to 30k, which I'm happy with considering my busy schedule). I could have read War and Peace; I could have written a feature length screenplay, hell, probably two; I could have attended countless filmmaking seminars and writing retreats; I could have taken steps to become the man I want to be, instead of the man I am. But I didn't. I played video games.

Sure, I had fun. Heaps of the stuff. More fun than I would have had if I'd have done all that other stuff probably. But I didn't get anywhere in life as a result. I just sort of... sat there. Now I'm not judging any hardcore gamers who're reading this piece, for if I were I'm judging myself by the same logic. But think about it. Gaming offers a false sense of achievement, of completion, of working toward goals. If we're happy for this to substitute actual achievement, how then will we ever get anywhere in life, which is happening right now outside your window? Then again, I'm not exactly great at following my own advice.

What you're reading is a strange moment of clarity that's fallen upon me thanks exclusively to thinking through this article - after I'm finished for the night, I'll forget I had the thought and be back to insisting that gaming is as worthwhile pursuit as any other. It's a lie and I know it. But it's a comforting lie and never forget, dear reader, that ignorance is bliss.