Maybe playing that video game someday will make you feel so smart and so capable and be as satisfying as... as... It's not.

video games can do both. You just have to find the right game.

The best thing about the board game is that it has a beginning and an end. Video games constantly level up. They only "end" after a huge commitment, and at the end, what have you got? Bitcoin to feed your family? Not even?

Video games end. I'm not sure what you mean. Video games end, and sometimes quicker than a board game. And what's this about "what have you go? Bitcoin..." Board games give you nothing either. Both are just a form of entertainment.

Self-respect or self-loathing? Maybe self-respect as in -- I'm so smart. I can win this video game! Maybe self-loathing as in - I did that? Well, it was kind of fun, but . . .

Again, maybe for certain games. There have been plenty of games that I've walked away from after beating that have given me motivation and made me active and goal driven. And games in general have given me a purpose in life to continue on. It's furthered my education, and has allowed me to pass my peers in terms of success.

Self-respect, because you communicated some little bit of your soul. Video game? What little bit of your soul have you shared levelling up in a video game or playing with people you'll never meet?

Are you implying that I shouldn't care about all of you guys on hubski since I'll never meet you? I've made plenty of great friendships from games. Some which are stronger than the ones I have in real life.

Self-esteem or self-loathing?

It really sounds like you are hating on video games without even knowing what they are. In the most simple terms, they are no different than board games. In fact, most board games have been converted into video games. Chess, checkers, go, Settlers of Catan, Monopoly, Clue, etc.

Simply put, if it weren't for video games, I wouldn't be where I am now. And I might not even be alive. I certainly wouldn't be getting a college degree in computer science. And to be honest, I probably wouldn't even be here on Hubski either.

You aren't giving video games enough credit. Yea, they are sometimes a huge time waster. But just like any other media, they can be life changing as well as entertaining.