At his commencement speech over the weekend at Hampton University, President Obama took some time out from inspiring a generation to lay the presidential slam down on video games, iPads and other "distractions."
"With iPods and iPads; Xboxes and PlayStations -- none of which I know how to work -- information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation," Obama said. "All of this is not only putting new pressures on you. It is putting new pressures on our country and on our democracy," he added.
Obama also said an education can help people make sense of the different viewpoints and voices "clamoring for attention on blogs, on cable, on talk radio."
It's hard to argue with the characterization of video games as distractions -- that's the whole point -- but the iPad? That seems to me to be more of a tool than anything else. My doctor uses an iPad to quickly reference medical information before he writes prescriptions. Also, it's hard to take someone seriously after he says he doesn't know how to work the things he's putting down.
What do you guys think? Are you having trouble making sense of all the media voices out there? Are you being distracted right now, by these very words?
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BONERJAM
How about fixing the ecomony, the Gulf oil spill, Wall Street, unemployment, two wars, dealing with Iran and North Korea, and a laundry list of others things? Once those are taken care of get back to me about what I "should" do.
Why does G4 ever have to talk about politics? All it does is result in a bunch of kids and "educated" college students spoutting off non-sense.
plasticgiantcatbear
Obama is such a good speaker, so why is he making these kind of blunders? I agree, these things are very much distractions nowadays. There are so many platforms for misinformation, and yes, this misinformation is now entertainment, but so is everything on FOX, CNN, etc.
The real problem is how to revolutionize our news media to reach even simpletons with the real facts without having to turn it into hyped up entertainment. Our leaders should learn how to use these tools with responsibility to reach the future generations of our country.
ProudFilipino
Why doesnt Obama just focus on other things in America and stop bashing Gamers! there are more important things to be worrying about Mr. President
i'mbillymitchell
at first i thought it was a throw away statement but after reading the comments i agree with the president all you people who use terms like n00b, pwned or call our president a socialist really should go back to school learn how to talk to girls and stop being so retarded. because haw will we event have a next generation if you are too busy playing dokey kong to procreate.
unfungames
OK Obama I'll get rid of my iPod, which I listen to when I'm working out to prevent from getting bored. I guess I'll just throw it in the trash and become a fat, lazy slob. Deal?
T_Bone_1976
Next thin g you know, he'll start calling gamers terrorists, just like he did with those who opposed his health care agenda.
You'd think he would be talking about his plan to fix the BP Gulf oil spill catastrophe.....
Oh wait, his handlers haven't told him what his plan is yet;)
kujel
Obama is a racist against gamers!
theantigzus
why is he even making this comment, dont we all know this?isnt playing host to countless celebs, playing fantasy football, watching Jersey shore, american idol and playing basketball as much of a waste as video games? and if you wanna talk about destroying our youth just look at ur ghetto couzins like lil' wayne, kanye, and any other monkey with a mic. Obama is just garbage.
silver6kraid
can't really argue with that logic I'm afraid, the President makes a good point, people are more concerned with fancy tech than real issues, for example, most girls won't date a guy unless he has a cool phone...a cool PHONE...cell phones are status symbols in this country for crying out loud. All I'm saying is that he has a point, are there some exaggerations, sure, but hey, that's how you get people attention, I love my games and tech, but they are distractions, that's why I make sure to stay educated on things that are going on the world with the tech I have, such as the computer I'm using right now. Technology is a double edged sword, it can be good and bad like pretty much everything else.
krispybacon2010
OBAMA doesn't know how to use a console but i bet he knows his blackberry like the back of his hand plus didn't he get his kids a Wii?
OcelotFox
The "none of which I know how to work" line was clearly meant to elicit a nice little laugh from the audience (he gave the queen of England an iPod, so he probably knows what he's doing).
But to his more general point, he's completely correct. Video games, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and all of these other "new media" that have gained popularity in the past twenty years are mostly a distraction. The information you partake in is highly specialized or from a very narrow viewpoint, which does tend to reduce the amount of actual fact you gather. The less informed you are as a citizen or a consumer, the less empowered you are to make change through appropriate action. It's not that he's saying these things are without merit, but they all represent a double-edged blade.
alexmers
well thats his opinion and he is somewhat right.
T_Rexx
Quote:
"Also, it's hard to take someone seriously after he says he doesn't know how to work the things he's putting down."
@Stephen:
The President of the United States does not need to know how they work sir in-order to give his views on them. Am sure he doesn't know how to operate Air-force 1, Nor the presidential (Tank) Vehicle.... yet he can tell how fortified (or not) they are.
sirmastersephiroth
Does this mean that we should also condemn books, movies, TV, sports, and any other form of entertainment because they are distractions? Isn't the point of entertainment to distract you from the pressures of every day life? And who says you can't learn from video games (or other "distractions"). I learned a lot about history, language, and culture because I was inspired to learn more about the video games I was playing. I've also learned a lot FROM the video games themselves.
I also agree that it was the younger generation, the tech savvy people and the bloggers, who got Obama elected. They identified with the younger Tech Savvy candidate because they thought he was a geek like them. Does this mean that Obamas "Geek Cred" was just an act to get elected? If he keeps betraying his young supporters like this, I think they will vote for the other guy (gal) when the time comes.
lowkevmic
@Skullz930- It seems like you're still a little bitter that he was voted into office. Yet all of things you're blaming him for, are all things that would happen regardless of who was in office at the time. You don't care if these issues were inherited or not? Then why are you so upset over it?? If anything we should be mad at ourselves. We are the ones who exploit anything and over consume everything, then we want to point the finger at the guy up top, for not saving us from ourselves and the mess we've made!! Talk about five year olds!! As much of a dumbass Bush was, the people are just as dumb for voting the man in twice. Why not try and educate yourself on the things he is actually doing for the country, instead of taking key notes from our friendly neighborhood fair and balanced journalists over there at Fox News.
WhiteWallsBTBAM
This is why we can't have nice things.
theantigzus
im just waiting for Obama to ruin his image, its the only way to bring him down, God forbid he were to go down as a martyr.
ninjamyst
Now are you all glad you voted for him? I am glad I didn't.
djowalsen
I have a paper due in four hours and I'm reading this blog post instead. I'll give you this one, Obama, you sly dog.
ZyloWolfBane
Sounds like his wife isnt a good enough distraction for him, perhaps he should play CoD.
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