Why is it that nearly mindless computer games are so engrossing?
Even if I'm not particularly enjoying a game of computer solitaire, I still want to play it rather than grade or any number of other more or less useful things I could do, many of which are way more pleasant than grading?
What is it about these games?
Me, too!
ReplyDeleteThis is why none of my computers have any games on them.
ReplyDeleteI've thought about this more than once (during my 20th game of solitaire). Maybe the pattern-solving itch in our brain is getting scratched?
ReplyDeleteI know! I've started setting a timer for ten minutes. That amount of time I can justify for a break but not the 40 minutes I've sometimes spent on Bejeweled Blitz.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I use the parental controls on my computer so that it's much harder for me to actually get to the game, so I have to make a more conscious decision... I used to just not have games on my pc but there are so many out there on the internet that can be played online that that isn't enough any more.
ReplyDeleteThere was a NYT Magazine article on this very question a while back: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/08/magazine/angry-birds-farmville-and-other-hyperaddictive-stupid-games.html?_r=0
ReplyDeletewhich I remembered enough to be able to google the link, but not enough to tell you the answer :). My current addiction is the phone version of Ticket to Ride, I'll confess.