Here I am, a mid-thirties male, having just spent the
last two days non-stop playing Civilization III. Of course, this is a completely
unproductive use of time and - discounting the strange enjoyment the game gives
- this could be looked on as a complete waste of time.
Image: Civilization
III Box Title
So, in a brief respite from the game, I wanted to look at
why this game draws me in so much (I’ve been playing the game on and off for
nearly 20 years if you go back to Civilization I, and the hours spent must be
in their 1000s!) What is it that Civilization gives me that I don’t get it real
life? And could this addiction be turned to more productive purposes?
What Civilization
gives me?
Well, firstly it’s the megalomaniac inside me - I’d love
to be a mighty leader like Genghis Khan (who admittedly was a bit of a b*****d),
wage war on my enemies and destroy them, build the greatest empire the world
has ever seen. It’s also the management and micromanagement too, keeps the
brain ticking over pleasantly rapidly when you’ve got many balls to juggle, strategy
to consider, and whether to go the route of war or peace.
How can
Civilization addiction be turned to more productive purposes?
Okay, I don’t want to waste all my time playing
Civilization. I want to spend my time productively - my quality of life depends
on this. So, perhaps I can point this addiction at something else: Megalomania
for knowledge? Build an empire of knowledge? Defeat my rivals in whatever
profession I do with dedicated brilliance?
Yes, thet’s build an empire of knowledge, an empire of
professional brilliance, thet’s strive to defeat my peers and have them bow
down before my astonishing prowess!
The above is of
course tongue in cheek, there is a good point to it though. Yes, you can focus
that unsleeping energy you poor into Civilization into some real life endeavor.
Strive to build a professional empire, a knowledge empire …
A first final
point to add:
Civilization addiction is too intense to be truly
productive, you’ll be playing until 4 in the morning, until you physically
cannot stay awake any longer, and then be back at it a few hours later after the
minimum of sleep; it is so important to achieve the right healthy work play
life balance!
The final final
point:
It’s interesting how people can say they are very busy,
when in reality it is they who are keeping themselves busy. It’s surprising how
that someone - who’s always very busy - can then find a lot of time to do
something very unproductive (take me as an example here - a “busy” professional
then blowing an entire weekend playing Civilization). Which leads to the
realization that you should always find time for the important things in life;
that thing you think keeps you very busy, you’re stressed about because you
want to get it done like now, I bet you could give it up for a day and the
world won’t come to a crashing halt!
Cheers!