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I used to think that gamers in general were friendlier based on my experience until I started going on these forums and reading all the horror stories.
Using the paizo forums as an accurate representation of the playerbase is like using 50 Shades of Gray as an accurate representation of all literature.
The only difference being that here there is slightly less BDSM and instead just more posts that are basically terrible.
If we look at a number of our "geek media outlets" and a number of recent publications, there is the argument that hyperfocus and hyperinterest in a topic is a requirement for being a geek (or possibly a gamer). That is, a person can be a physics geek, an art geek, a movie geek, a...
...gaming geek.
However, isn't there a flip side to that?
The sort of hyperfocus that's described in many of these instances may appear to align with some forms of the autism spectrum, though. I wouldn't be surprised to see a higher occurance of this spectrum among gamers. We already know it occurs in higher instances in areas such as computer programming and similar fields, so why not gaming?
As this spectrum can be a benefit as well as a negative, I'm not attempting to insult anyone here.
I would suspect:
- Introverts, by stereotyle, tend to spend more of their time in thought and reflection. These attributes are useful towards and may incline them towards activities such as board games and RPGs, though this is not always true--instead, I'm expressing this as more of a tendency. Introversion may also be seen as a degree of social awkwardness because it includes as part of its spectrum avoiding the social when it's too draining.
- The more mechanically-deep games and strategies and the exploration thereof could more easily and also lend itself to the autism-spectrum brain-reward cycle (See here for an article on some of the recent studies)Again, I'm not intending to insult anyone here as there are distinct advantages to both of the above, and as with anything, disadvantages, too.
As a side note, most folks I've spoken with (especially parents) about some of the recent autism studies on brain-reward-balance, have been fairly enthusiastic. I sort of have my fingers crossed, myself.
Why Does this article imply what the autistic people want from less reward from speaking as a bad thing inheritenly. Isn't this society telling them they are doing it wrong. Why are we being normative with prefrences. I don't think people that do not have autism would take to nicely to you speak too much to saying you enjoy talking too much and should be treated.
I know it has moved on, but to the original post.
I would say that I see a bit higher percentage of 'social awkward' people in the gaming community that I do in most other slices of society to which I am exposed. (The physics majors in college is the only group I know of that had a higher proprotion of 'socially awkward' people in it.)
However I also have to say, the percentage is lower than it was in the 80's when I started gaming.
I'll go on record, I'm socially awkward.
I would say more people who are socially awkward are drawn to roleplaying games, after all you don't have to be yourself to play. Its easier to interest with people when your alter ego is a tough fighter or a cunning wizard.
This sounds about right. When I started gaming, the group consisted of high school students who were more the 'outsiders.' Never a jock or prom queen around. From my admittedly limited interaction with those 'popular' people... they were pretty happy as they were, they didn't need to pretend to be a dashing swashbuckler or burly macho man... they already were in 'real life.'
In time the game becomes more and less then just 'escapism.' Creativity and friendship move to the front of the line... but yeah, I'd say the game 'naturally' attracted people who were interested in 'being someone else' for a while...
I'm a friendly enough sort of person, but I'm extremely uncomfortable if a stranger walks up and starts a conversation about his game/character/abilities etc. without prompting. I quit shopping at a local bookstore because of it.
Tell me you ran out screaming, please.
Should have got a shirt with the text "no I don't want to hear about your character".
I know it has moved on, but to the original post.
I would say that I see a bit higher percentage of 'social awkward' people in the gaming community that I do in most other slices of society to which I am exposed. (The physics majors in college is the only group I know of that had a higher proprotion of 'socially awkward' people in it.)
However I also have to say, the percentage is lower than it was in the 80's when I started gaming.
Mathematicians?
I'm a friendly enough sort of person, but I'm extremely uncomfortable if a stranger walks up and starts a conversation about his game/character/abilities etc. without prompting. I quit shopping at a local bookstore because of it.Tell me you ran out screaming, please.
Should have got a shirt with the text "no I don't want to hear about your character".
LOL awesome!
Mathematicians?I know it has moved on, but to the original post.
I would say that I see a bit higher percentage of 'social awkward' people in the gaming community that I do in most other slices of society to which I am exposed. (The physics majors in college is the only group I know of that had a higher proprotion of 'socially awkward' people in it.)
However I also have to say, the percentage is lower than it was in the 80's when I started gaming.
Believe it or not, the mathematicians did better socially than us few odd ducks in the physics department.
I used to think that gamers in general were friendlier based on my experience until I started going on these forums and reading all the horror stories.Using the paizo forums as an accurate representation of the playerbase is like using 50 Shades of Gray as an accurate representation of all literature.
The only difference being that here there is slightly less BDSM and instead just more posts that are basically terrible.
I think you misinterpreted me. What I was getting at was not that the Paizo forums are an accurate representation of the whole of the Gamign community, but merely that my personal picture of every gamer being a very friendly and amiable person, as I see everyone in my circles, was certainly not a representation of the whole.
Believe it or not, the mathematicians did better socially than us few odd ducks in the physics department.Mathematicians?I know it has moved on, but to the original post.
I would say that I see a bit higher percentage of 'social awkward' people in the gaming community that I do in most other slices of society to which I am exposed. (The physics majors in college is the only group I know of that had a higher proprotion of 'socially awkward' people in it.)
However I also have to say, the percentage is lower than it was in the 80's when I started gaming.
Late to the party on this one, but as a physics major myself...
I went to a small satellite school of a well-known major university. Because we were part of the major university, we had the same curriculum, expectations and most of the equipment of the home campus (and could go to the home campus any time we liked) but our physics department was a grand total of five active students.
Me - Not really socially adept, but not recognizably socially awkward either. I have never had a problem dating girls or women, got married, have kids and was even in the theater while taking physics courses. I also fish, hunt, play golf and engage in a lot of outdoor or athletic activities. Most people who know me casually are downright shocked to learn I have a physics degree.
The tennis star - This guy was the school's champion tennis player. He spent more time practicing tennis than he did studying physics. He wasn't the best physics student, but he did the work, passed the courses and got the degree. He dated PROLIFICALLY. And by PROLIFICALLY I mean he dated several women at once. Sometimes with their knowledge, consent and eager participation. The guy was like a cross between Tom Brady and Brad Pitt. He was simply overflowing with charisma and almost literally had to fight females off with his tennis racquet. I sometimes wonder what he's doing today.
The druggie - This guy was simply more interested in getting high than anything else. He said that he gained a greater appreciation for the wonders of the laws of physics while on hashish, which was his preferred drug. He wasn't really socially awkward, but he was fairly unattractive in general and had poor personal hygiene. He didn't game though. He was perfectly polite and appropriate in social situations, other than his appearance and hygiene, both of which I attribute to his drug use. He dropped out eventually, just one year short of graduation.
The regular dude - This guy wanted to be a physicist. He participated in intramural sports and was generally just a good ole' boy. However, he sucked at math. I actually tutored him for a few semesters. He eventually changed majors.
The science geek - This guy was the closest individual I ever ran into to a Steve Wozniak. He literally built computer kits in the dorm room. He was my roommate for one semester. He wore white collared shirts and pocket protectors. He was completely socially awkward and probably would have qualified today as "Aspergers Syndrome".
Anyway, as a physics grad, I fully understand the difference between anecdote and data, but couldn't help but put my own anecdotes about physics students out there. I was the only gamer in the physics dept, for whatever that's worth.