Stroking the Ego: Why Being a Geeky Gamer is Awesome

 
Geeks get all the ladies (or so geeky scientific studies say)

Increasing scientific evidence shows that intelligence counts for more than looks when it comes to potential mates. University of Maryland in College Park behavioral ecologist James Keagy recently conducted a study which showed that males who excel at problem solving are more likely to find a potential mate.

With higher intelligence comes better, healthier sperm as well as a higher probability of surviving a catastrophic situation. While many

women don’t realize it, their search for a mate (and no, we’re not just talking about one-night stands here) has a subconscious disposition toward more intelligent, quicker-thinking males than those who stick with brawn over brains.

And who is better at intense problem solving than a gamer? Daphne Bavelier, an associate professor of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester, recently performed multiple studies to see if video game experience shapes the organization of the human body’s visual system.

What they came up with will astound you: Video games are excellent training simulators and perfectfor improving visual performance. Playing video games gives you better perception over small details, even in an environment that you may be unfamiliar with. Being able to see and think in strange locales allows you to see the entire picture and figure a better way out of it. Military organizations have picked up on this and have been developing simulators to better train their soldiers in these situations -- even the army likes a well-trained geek.

Those developers you hate for putting incredibly difficult puzzles or small objects that are hard to see in games? You should be thanking them instead of cursing them for greatly improving your visual cues and problem-solving skills because those two things may just end up letting you continue your lineage.

 
Geeks have better hand-eye coordination and concentration, which leads to better things 
 
This is something that has been around for years. While football, baseball, and other hand-intensive sports can build hand-eye coordination, none can do it to the extent that games can.

With frequent, difficult button combinations and the necessity of visual cues on the screen (think fighting games, quick-time events inadventure games, “Hit X to dodge now!” etc.), healthy gamers can have increased reflexes, hand movement, and superior concentration skills.

Better hand-eye coordination and concentration make a geek more capable at those sports and activities that require a steady hand and steady mind. While Madden NFL 10 and The Bigs won’t guarantee you a spot in the pros, it certainly won’t hurt your chances. When you can think ahead of the defensive line and can keep your eyes on the ball and swing perfectly because you’re so used to having to rely on impeccable timing and concentrating on everything that is going on around you, it certainly makes you a more capable player.

Better concentration also helps with multitasking and can make you more valuable at a job and with your group of friends/significant other. Multitasking is a skill that is associated with being able to concentrate on multiple jobs and deadlines at once as well as being able to perform them at acceptable levels. This is a valuable commodity in a place of employment and in social situations as, when done efficiently, it makes you better able to complete jobs on time in a professional and capable manner while still being able to juggle entertainment and relaxation.

 
Geeks put in the extra effort

Because of the social stigmas that follow being a “geek,” many people have the idea that being nerdy is something to be ashamed of. So in order to befriend people, most techies and eggheads have to go the extra mile in order to show others that they're not socially inept.

People who are more inclined toward technology and who have a stronger focus on studying than partying, while being a bit socially awkward, can usually have the “pleaser” mentality -- someone who will do whatever it takes to make another person like them or be happy.

This makes these lovable guys and girls more likely to understand your needs and desires. Nerds don’t usually have the luxury of a massive circle of companions and acquaintances, which means that the friends and loved ones they do have become that much more important to them. People with this disposition are also usually pickier about the circles they keep because they are more prone to being hurt and rejected than most.

That shy kid in the corner may not talk to anyone at the party because, well, he just hasn’t found anyone he deems worthy of that risk (or because he’s secretly plotting everyone’s demise). This may be one of the reasons that many people flock to the Internet and the protection and anonymity it provides. This gives people the opportunity to better find others with their own interests because of the broad scope of people on it compared to your hometown. It is also much harder to get your feelings hurt behind a computer monitor, which makes it much safer for your ego.

And they won’t see you cry (*wipes tears from cheek*) -- no they won’t.

While it is a great thing to be a geek, remember that hobbies are only beneficial in moderation. This means that while these studies apply to most people, those who have what most people would call an “unhealthy obsession with being a nerd” (you know who you are) are certainly not a part of these results.

Regardless, the next time someone calls you a geek, be proud of it. As technology advances and more people jump on board, we’ll be poised to rule the world -- more than Steve Jobs and Bill Gates already do.

 
Geeks get all the ladies (or so geeky scientific studies say)

Increasing scientific evidence shows that intelligence counts for more than looks when it comes to potential mates. University of Maryland in College Park behavioral ecologist James Keagy recently conducted a study which showed that males who excel at problem solving are more likely to find a potential mate.

With higher intelligence comes better, healthier sperm as well as a higher probability of surviving a catastrophic situation. While many

women don’t realize it, their search for a mate (and no, we’re not just talking about one-night stands here) has a subconscious disposition toward more intelligent, quicker-thinking males than those who stick with brawn over brains.

And who is better at intense problem solving than a gamer? Daphne Bavelier, an associate professor of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester, recently performed multiple studies to see if video game experience shapes the organization of the human body’s visual system.

What they came up with will astound you: Video games are excellent training simulators and perfectfor improving visual performance. Playing video games gives you better perception over small details, even in an environment that you may be unfamiliar with. Being able to see and think in strange locales allows you to see the entire picture and figure a better way out of it. Military organizations have picked up on this and have been developing simulators to better train their soldiers in these situations -- even the army likes a well-trained geek.

Those developers you hate for putting incredibly difficult puzzles or small objects that are hard to see in games? You should be thanking them instead of cursing them for greatly improving your visual cues and problem-solving skills because those two things may just end up letting you continue your lineage.

 
Geeks have better hand-eye coordination and concentration, which leads to better things 
 
This is something that has been around for years. While football, baseball, and other hand-intensive sports can build hand-eye coordination, none can do it to the extent that games can.

With frequent, difficult button combinations and the necessity of visual cues on the screen (think fighting games, quick-time events inadventure games, “Hit X to dodge now!” etc.), healthy gamers can have increased reflexes, hand movement, and superior concentration skills.

Better hand-eye coordination and concentration make a geek more capable at those sports and activities that require a steady hand and steady mind. While Madden NFL 10 and The Bigs won’t guarantee you a spot in the pros, it certainly won’t hurt your chances. When you can think ahead of the defensive line and can keep your eyes on the ball and swing perfectly because you’re so used to having to rely on impeccable timing and concentrating on everything that is going on around you, it certainly makes you a more capable player.

Better concentration also helps with multitasking and can make you more valuable at a job and with your group of friends/significant other. Multitasking is a skill that is associated with being able to concentrate on multiple jobs and deadlines at once as well as being able to perform them at acceptable levels. This is a valuable commodity in a place of employment and in social situations as, when done efficiently, it makes you better able to complete jobs on time in a professional and capable manner while still being able to juggle entertainment and relaxation.

 
Geeks put in the extra effort

Because of the social stigmas that follow being a “geek,” many people have the idea that being nerdy is something to be ashamed of. So in order to befriend people, most techies and eggheads have to go the extra mile in order to show others that they're not socially inept.

People who are more inclined toward technology and who have a stronger focus on studying than partying, while being a bit socially awkward, can usually have the “pleaser” mentality -- someone who will do whatever it takes to make another person like them or be happy.

This makes these lovable guys and girls more likely to understand your needs and desires. Nerds don’t usually have the luxury of a massive circle of companions and acquaintances, which means that the friends and loved ones they do have become that much more important to them. People with this disposition are also usually pickier about the circles they keep because they are more prone to being hurt and rejected than most.

That shy kid in the corner may not talk to anyone at the party because, well, he just hasn’t found anyone he deems worthy of that risk (or because he’s secretly plotting everyone’s demise). This may be one of the reasons that many people flock to the Internet and the protection and anonymity it provides. This gives people the opportunity to better find others with their own interests because of the broad scope of people on it compared to your hometown. It is also much harder to get your feelings hurt behind a computer monitor, which makes it much safer for your ego.

And they won’t see you cry (*wipes tears from cheek*) -- no they won’t.

While it is a great thing to be a geek, remember that hobbies are only beneficial in moderation. This means that while these studies apply to most people, those who have what most people would call an “unhealthy obsession with being a nerd” (you know who you are) are certainly not a part of these results.

Regardless, the next time someone calls you a geek, be proud of it. As technology advances and more people jump on board, we’ll be poised to rule the world -- more than Steve Jobs and Bill Gates already do.