I think there's a point that will come up in the overall show that talks about the massive overlapping of technology where "getting away from the game" will be extremely difficult and almost akin to not having a cell phone. Sure, it's doable, but how practical in a world that's starting to design your obligations around that technology. An alcoholic can get away from a bar; increasingly games are harder to not have around because of they're in your face when you log onto facebook, or even read a newspaper, or look at your phone, or whatever.

In addition, life is about balance and responsibility. I think Dr. Dini stressed that there are a lot of good things about gaming. If that's so, the lesson is about what to look out for and not to avoid these things all together. Once it becomes a problem, then avoiding may be necessary: but until then, I would be on the lookout for warning signs. Mainly because the same argument of avoidance could be used for virtually any media, including movies, tv, the internet and even cell phones.

The interesting thing to me is that technology is advancing rapidly to holodeck levels. In a world, where you can be a hero at any point you want to be or you can be the kid that gets picked on in school, what reason will a person have for choosing that latter option.

I never thought about how video game creators input "psychological tricks" into these games. The recent addition of the online aspect of the games creates a sense of social loyalty that a gamer feels the need to commit. Other gamers count on you to help them defeat a level or advance toward a new section. There is a sense of manipulation in these "MMO" games, which I don't fully understand the type.

I agree with Shavaun when she talked about how to fix the addiction, that one's brain basically needs to be reformatted to enjoy other activities than gaming. She talked about how the gamer needs to envision a long-term goal, and begin working toward that by creating specific steps, or smaller goals, in order to abandon the addiction. The gamer needs to rid themselves of gaming and literally step outside and come to terms with the fact that they don't actually want to spend their whole lives having their eyes glued to a monitor and having nothing but their thumbs move. I agree that video gaming can be very addicting, but I think that it's an easy---er---easier habit to break than other addictions. So keep your children's bodies - not only their minds - active!