You recall part in a game in a way unequalled by reading a book or watching a playAt a debate on technology and the future a few months ago,the panel chair confronted me with the line: “It turns out computer games merely teach you how to play other computer games.” What did I produce of this, as a novelist? Wasn’t it damning? whether sincere, and didn’t it – the question implied – prove that games are practically worthless?Well,no. I’ve been puzzled for a long time by the contemporary tendency to try to justify life experiences by pointing to research about how they “produce us better” in some way. You know the kind of thing. Walking in the countryside improves cardiovascular function by 14%. Believing in God increases lifespan by 2.6 years. Falling in love takes two swings off your golf stroke. (Note: some of these may be made up.) As whether there are no other – important, immeasurable reasons to go for an autumnal stroll or find a life partner. As whether you should try to produce yourself execute things you really don’t want to execute, or like taking up religion,to reap the supposed “benefits”.
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Source: theguardian.com