My Opinion

First I would like to comment that on the surface the 3 presentations make a very symbiotic package.  The first two pieces were engaging, they permitted me to multi-task while listening and digesting the information.  If I missed a point, or need to clarify what I heard I went back to the piece and moved the timer back.  I accomplished other things such as fixing a cup of tea and washing a few dishes, made a few notes (although the paper is now wet), and I understood the content.  The third piece, which was a static Powerpoint did not engage me, hold my interest, or leave much of an impact.  The power of video was missing.

Based upon the concept that the act of learning builds gray matter and therefore improves the mind it is easy to see that video games of the right type at the right time will improve the intelligence of the average person.  This can be proved through research into the Flynn Effect.  I would like to think that we could get on a spinning wheel where playing produces dopamine so therefore we want to play more (been there, done that), and the more we play the smarter we get.  Is this perhaps why so many gamers are super intelligent in many ways?

I'm not sure how I feel about the statistics of the 1102 kids surveyed.  I have seen many instances where children become sequestered in their own world or the world of their computer.  I question the reliability of the numbers regarding their likelyhood to interact face to face.  Perhaps those numbers do not give a ttrue representation.  There is also a demographic issue that needs to be looked at, the same study conducted in the city of New York would be very different than one conducted in Charleston, WV.  There would need to be an equalizer for socio economic conditions and ethnicity base.

I have never believed that too much gaming was harmful, but I've always believed that there needs to be time away from the computer.  Being only slightly older than the second presenter I remember the games he spoke of - "Where in the World....." was a fun game for all ages and there was a game at the same time that was a history based westward travel covered wagon game that was very popular for students and adults.

I do still believe that computer games can, because of the dopamine enhanced, addictive quality can become a deterrent to a productive life.  There is an addictive quality about some games that just make it difficult, if not impossible to walk away from. 

Just as not all video games are created equal, neither are all gamers.  There will always be exceptions to the rules, but I am hopeful that by the time my grandsons begin to be serious about video games that they can benefit from all that technology has to offer.