Will videogames create a two-tiered society?

[Miktar]

http://kunochan.com/?p=148


Given the increasing interest in virtual worlds and near-game environments, it?s not hard to imagine that some people will adapt much more quickly to a futurenet based around 3D - the kind of thing imagined by William Gibson?s Neuromancer or Neal Stephenson in Snow Crash.

But given the research mentioned, will we end up with a divided society? Imagine a future internet where games players have a massive advantage over ordinary users. Will we see a divide between the visually literate and those who just don?t (or can?t) get it?

A very good read, but you have to read the entire thing to get the gist of it - especially the chart.

[Chevron]

This reminds me of an episode of sliders. All the people that embraced technology had these headsets that let them control anything and everything. Those that couldn't or wouldn't use the headsets were outcasts and not allowed to live in the inner cities.

I don't think that it's video games that'll create the two tiered society. It's that most of the people who are interested into technology play games.

The human race splitting onto two different evolutionary paths could very well happen. Ala H.G. Wells' The Time Machine

[Mic]

I saw that movie on TCM one night while waiting to record the movie 2010... (it was kinda old but at least it was color)

[wisp]

After reading the article and following the chart i have to say that gaming has not created a two tier society but rather the nay sayers have . According to the chart for every positive advancement we have a negative influence created by a small group of individuals.If those ppl had their way we would still be banging to rocks together for fire.Instead of focusing on positive they highlight the negative and blame all society trouble upon technological advancements, sort low tech rules ok syndrome.

The profits of doom will always be their , and they will influence the uneducated and uninformed.this will create the 2 tier society - they live in ignorance and fear and expect others to follow suit.

[Gazza_N]

Meh, some of his arguments seem a bit biased to me, but that chart was undeniable pure sparkling win. :D A good read though, as promised. ;)

There's a sentence in one of the opening paragraphs that says everything to me:

Studies have indicated that young people who play video games have increased abilities in reasoning, puzzle solving, and “forward thinking” (although it has been pointed out that kids who already possess these abilities may be attracted to playing video games.)

Intellectual abilities can be improved by many activities other than games. As for the rest of the article, and as Wisp says, naysayers have always existed to drag civilization down to the lowest common denominator. Still, as a species, we still happen to be around and advancing. Revenge of the nerds, anyone?