Looks like the General Gaming forum is what most people go to these days

[Madame Adequate]

If you hold video games at THAT level of importance, Miss Moon, you need to fix your priority list In order to get somewhere in life you do have to know how to read to some degree. I'm sure there are exceptions, but for the most part, reading is important. It's reading for leisure that isn't so important.

Video games, however, are NOT important whatsoever. It's not like you're going to be quizzed on how to beat Sephiroth on a make-or-break-your-grade final in college.

As for the video game forums: I think Rocket Edge made a good point about the recession. Because people generally can't afford the latest, we're stuck either playing games we already have or buying the cheap ones in the bargain bins for $10 for something to do. But, since people are out having to get second and third jobs just to pay the bills and buy groceries for the week, that $10 you may have paid without a second thought in better days is now going towards filling up your car at the pump. Plus, with everyone having to work so much, no one really has that much time for video games.

Right now, we are not in a "gamers' economy," we're in a "survival economy." Something's gotta give...it just happens to be video games that are giving. And there's really nothing wrong with that.

Once things improve, I'm sure video games will be hotter than ever I mean jeeze, we've got another Metal Gear Solid comin' out!

I don't think she was suggesting that people should be illiterate, or abandon their responsibilities I certainly would advocate neither. I think what she was getting at was more that if we're talking about important cultural experiences to have, that games are just as important in that as other stuff is. That's what I would say, at least. I think everyone should read The Road and Use of Weapons, for example. But I also think everyone should watch The Matrix and The West Wing, and I think everyone should play Shadow of the Colossus and Fallout. As to the general issue under discussion, I think you can extrapolate my position from this