This may sound like a weird question but for a long time video games have had a certain stigma attached to them. When I was younger I sheltered from societal pressures, and expectations and played happily and obliviously! Needless to say it was a beautiful time in my life.
However, as I've gotten older (and responsibilities exist) I'm much more aware of the societal pressures and more importantly societal opinions (I brand 'stigmas') over video games. I have always enjoyed them, and whilst I have had the occasional lull, I realised that I will probably enjoy them for many years to come (currently in my early 20's).
Whilst I have been out, and do still party (especially at Uni...dear god) i've started to do that less. As such, video games have started to take up a larger majority of my evenings and weekends. I find myself researching purchases and generally watching videos/listening to podcasts around said issue. Whilst this sort of behaviour was fine when I was younger I worry this will diminish my social existence and potential external image. This may sound incredibly vain, and potentially narcissistic, but let me assure you it is not meant to be. I'm instead trying to project a general stigma through my own personal position/outlook.
I worry that whilst I may be successfully progressing in my career (which I feel is one of the crutches of being 'socially accepted') my continued playing of video games may dampen, and brand me (unjustifiably) as a 'loser' who is intellectually constrained by the inability to choose other (generally considered) more intellectual activities such as reading.
Some of my good friends play games. I used to think they were immune to this feeling, however I recently discovered they are not. One friend stating that he does not want to play his DS on the bus as he worries he may "be seen as a loser geek".
Does anyone else have this feeling?
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