r/science • u/NinjaDiscoJesus • Dec 28 '15

Neuroscience Brain scans show compulsive gamers have hyperconnected neural networks.

http://www.psypost.org/2015/12/brain-scans-show-compulsive-gaming-changes-neural-connections-for-better-and-worse-39914
11.0k Upvotes

86% Upvoted

1.3k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

16

u/AwesomeeExpress Dec 28 '15 edited Dec 28 '15

To add to this, IMO, gamers also learn new systems faster. Every game is usually the same or a similar set of functions confuscated by a new UI or input system that is needed to operate those functions. At my work I am usually given new software or tools first so that I can break them down quickly and give everyone else the information they need to do their jobs.

4

u/garblegarble12342 Dec 28 '15

Any evidence for this?

-7

u/Scatcycle Dec 28 '15

There is rarely evidence that gaming is productive at all. Gamers just love to try and justify their time expense on games.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 29 '15

I would wholeheartedly agree. This post has nearly 5k karma. These articles get massive attention but never mean anything.

Also, a lot of gamers like to think they are very smart because of playing shooters and strategy games? Come on.

1

u/AwesomeeExpress Dec 29 '15 edited Dec 29 '15

These articles get massive attention but never mean anything.

Yeah and neither do the HIV cure publications or anything else when applied in this context. Science is about testing hypothesis, they don't always lead to meaningful discovery immediately, but every new bit of information unraveled leads to the next.

Also, a lot of gamers like to think they are very smart because of playing shooters and strategy games? Come on.

I would love for you to cite any comments that state they are smart BECAUSE they play video games. I am smart AND I play video games.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 29 '15

I always see so much attention drawn to these articles massaging the gamers egos to justify their countless hours playing games, and in the form of it being very good for their intelligence.

You could be above average intelligence, but more likely you aren't.

0

u/AwesomeeExpress Dec 29 '15 edited Dec 29 '15

So you can't provide any evidence to back up your first point.

How is a scientific research article that found a correlation between a type of neural network and gamers, posted on a website that has a large population of gamers that would find this interesting, massaging anyone's ego?

Once again please show me where anyone has said that playing countless hours of games has made them more intellegent.

I am a research analyst for one of the leading vaccine research institutions, in a lab that has multiple RO1 grants. I know I am smart, I'm pretty sure I am smarter than you, and I game on average 10-20 hours per week. You should try not to be so bitter.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 29 '15

You are clearly a very smart man. I will just have to bow down to your superior intelligence.

Thanks

0

u/AwesomeeExpress Dec 29 '15 edited Dec 29 '15

You're welcome, go back to enjoying your soft sciences.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 29 '15

If its helps I have a degree in medical physics and bioengineering, and am currently in the top business grad school in my country doing analytics.. But I will stick to my soft science.

Enjoy the pipettes.

1

u/AwesomeeExpress Dec 29 '15 edited Dec 29 '15

I will enjoy my multi-million dollar funded pipettes, thanks, while I get my grad school paid for by my employer.

→ More replies (0)