[EDITED]

The researchers conclude that video-games players develop an enhanced sensitivity to what is going on around them and that this may help with activities such as multitasking, driving, reading small print, navigation and keeping track of friends or children in a crowd. The precise neural mechanism for this effect, however, is still unknown.

What is known is that people make decisions based on probabilities that are constantly being calculated and refined in their heads—something called “probabilistic inference”. The brain collects small pieces of information, eventually gathering enough to make an accurate decision. When driving a car, for example, many probabilities will be collated to make decisions such as whether or not to brake. The more efficient someone is at collecting visual and auditory information, the faster he can reach the threshold needed to make a decision.

One implication of this work is that reaction times in the population will probably improve with the rise of fast-action video-games. There are a lot of players: last year a report estimated that 67% of American households contained at least one video-gamer. And if video-gamers are really better equipped to make quick decisions, they might also turn out to be better drivers and end up in fewer accidents. However, the notion that gamers acquire some minor physical skills may not pacify concerned parents. What, after all, of the skills they are not acquiring when shooting virtual cops instead of reading or talking?

http://www.economist.com/...d=17035943

That, I find fascinating. I have a knew phrase that I can't wait to use, especially in conversation.

Probabilistic inference.

Borderline bullshit

You, know, I explained this to a girl I really like before, who I'm worried about that like most epople, compltely let their brain rot away. I told that even playing video games, is a lot more beneficial than sitting around watching youtube vids or TV.

Increases hand eye corridination, helps you be creative in terms of how to beat the harder chracacters youre stuck on, increases quicker reaction, allows you to communicate and talk to others, forces you to do puzzles (in some), inspires you to draw (if youre an artist, like me) or be creative, fun, frustrating (helps you learn from mistakes), and if its a game with a great story, can teach you many things or atleast get you thinking, like Metal Gear Solid Series, which is about war and the global war economy, love, and many other things.

People knock videogames like theyre terrible. But when you think of it, theyre just like movies or TV. Even better, because theyre movies where you can control the outcome of things, and involves more brainusage than sitting like a rock watching tv.

But ofcorse Im not saying do it all day, like my little brother. Poor kid doesnt go outside and has no social values.

Can you dig it baby?

LayzieKiddZ said:

You, know, I explained this to a girl I really like before, who I'm worried about that like most epople, compltely let their brain rot away. I told that even playing video games, is a lot more beneficial than sitting around watching youtube vids or TV.

Increases hand eye corridination, helps you be creative in terms of how to beat the harder chracacters youre stuck on, increases quicker reaction, allows you to communicate and talk to others, forces you to do puzzles (in some), inspires you to draw (if youre an artist, like me) or be creative, fun, frustrating (helps you learn from mistakes), and if its a game with a great story, can teach you many things or atleast get you thinking, like Metal Gear Solid Series, which is about war and the global war economy, love, and many other things.

People knock videogames like theyre terrible. But when you think of it, theyre just like movies or TV. Even better, because theyre movies where you can control the outcome of things, and involves more brainusage than sitting like a rock watching tv.

But ofcorse Im not saying do it all day, like my little brother. Poor kid doesnt go outside and has no social values.

Can you dig it baby?

The right types of games (RPGs mostly), also encourage reading. You won't be reading a full length novel by any means, but for a kid, it gets them reading a lot more often than the average kid probably does. And the storylines in them are usually at a pretty challenging level for that age, which is good.

So I try to direct my daughter toward games like that. Games that'll make her read, solve puzzles, and so on. And she's too much of an outdoor girl for me to really worry that she'll sit in front of the game all day like this.

Harlepolis said:

Borderline bullshit

I take it you don't play any video games?

Sounds about right to me.

I don't need video games, I drive around with a car full of small children all the time

I do play snood though