Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, 
Video Games (Photo credit: JeepersMedia)
It seems somewhat obvious that the average attention span of the average teenager is comparable to that of a gnat. This is clearly evident when you watch them surf the internet The World-wide-web Niche - The global economy has been severely impacted. Millions of people have lost their jobs, many are losing their homes, and retirement portfolios are disappearing at an alarming rate. What happens in the World Wide Web? We often discuss the global financial tsunami, an economic crisis on a scale that rivals the Great Depression of the… , spending less than 10 to 12 seconds on a single page, or when you observe them texting their friends and then continuing the same conversation in the real world. Furthermore, any parent can tell you that while video games may hold a person’s attention for hours of play, they could also be contributing to attention deficit disorder.
There have been studies that both confirm and refute this, but through real-world observation, it appears that video games aren’t all that great for improving attention spans. Let’s discuss this for a few moments. I found it quite ironic when I read an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal’s technology section not too long ago on August 1, 2012; “Can Video Games Treat ADHD? Startup Seeks FDA Approval for Games That Help Attention Disorders,” by Brian Gormley.
In other words, this is a specialized game that rewards the player for improved attention spans on a given task, and as they play the game longer, they must pay more attention to a single task, thereby enhancing their attention span. Nevertheless, it’s somewhat amusing that one of the suspected culprits for causing a lack of attention span, computer games and video games, has devised a solution to address the issue. It’s reminiscent of government creating bad policies, then promising a solution to fix the problems they created, leaving the citizens perplexed.
Indeed, I’m puzzled by this, not because I have ADHD, but because I wonder if it can truly work. It’s accurate that video games have solved other issues and can be used for many things, so only time will tell. It was interesting that DARPA developed a concept to allow people to fold proteins as a video game, enabling players to engage in the folding and unfolding of these proteins to discover new proteins and identify several savants who happened to play the game, all while having fun in the process. Score another point for video games.
There was an intriguing research paper I read a few years ago, and the scientists stated, “If you really are on the verge of ADD and you play video games, you’re finished; it’s enough to push you over the edge.” I’ve always remembered that because it makes sense to me, and it seems counterintuitive that a video game could treat ADHD. However, it appears that video games have been used to treat PTSD in returning soldiers, so perhaps it’s possible, who knows.
Nonetheless, it’s a fascinating concept, so I thought I’d bring it to your attention. Indeed, I hope you will consider all of this and think about it.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
