They are one and the same. At first glance, most people would argue that books and video games are not the same and might even say that one is better than the other. They are the same in that they both have storylines, characters, and plots. Both can help you make new friends. Some are educational and can teach you things. Also, I have heard of some children who learned to read so that they could play and understand their video games.
They have their differences as well though. Video games involve a screen where books do not. Okay, they can. Personally, I am not a fan of e-readers. I appreciate their compatibility, but personally, nothing beats holding a physical book and watching the weight of its switch from one hand to the other.
For a long time, I thought books were superior to video games, and if I'm honest, I still do. Mainly because of my upbringing. No disrespect to my parents. My siblings and I spent very little time in front of a screen while we were growing up. We spent a lot of time outside or playing with Lego and myself my doll, and my stuffed dog. We did gain access to video games, but even then, our screen time was limited plus, we were heavily involved in sports and music from childhood and up.
On the other hand, my hubby did have access to video games at a young age, and his love for them has grown as he grew up. He has fond memories of playing video games with his dad and siblings. This "debate" sparked from a conversation that he and I had the other day. He loves video games because not only of his childhood memories but because it allows him to be a part of the story in a more physical and hands-on way with the controller. He is able to interact with the characters and, depending on the game, has a say in how the story plays out. Books do not have that feature. The author does all the work, and we get to sit back and enjoy. He is also an introvert with social anxiety, so he enjoys being with his online community instead of the "real world."
Where I prefer books. I did not always though. My parents along with two of my siblings enjoy reading a good book. I read on and off during my childhood and teen years. A mixture of not being a fast reader and not knowing what I enjoyed reading. Plus I had and still have a social media scrolling habit that sometimes gets in the way of diving into a book. But I am working on finding more balance. I finally found an author I enjoyed in my early 20s and have read a chunk of her work along with other authors and would now call myself an avid reader. I have found that if the author does a good job of writing their story, then I am just as involved with the characters on the page as hubby is on the screen.
The argument that they are the same is that they are both forms of media to be consumed. Sure, stereotypically, they are enjoyed by different crowds. Offhand, I do not know of anyone who is regularly involved in enjoying both. Correct me if I'm wrong. I don't think I have ever heard someone described as both a gamer and a reader. The point of our discussion was that neither of them is bad. Like anything in life, as long they are consumed in moderation and do not take over the rest of our lives, then they are perfectly fine. Hubby finds playing video games relaxing, and I love to unwind in bed with a book. I am trying to imagine the opposite scenario in my head right now, and not only is it funny, but weird. Anyways, the point is that everyone has their favourite form of media to consume, and sometimes we need to put our personal biases aside so that we can learn why someone thinks the way they do and likes the things that they like. My hubby and I are very different people and depending on the day it can be a good or bad thing. We try to use our differences to benefit our marriage and family.
Enjoy your long weekend friends. I know we will.
~Hannah
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