Bobby Burack
Videos by OutKick
Joe Rogan is the enemy of the woke. Now, he’s that of the gaming community. (The latter is much scarier.)
On his latest podcast, Rogan ignited a fire calling video games a “waste of time.”
“Video games a real problem. You know why? Because they’re f**king fun. You do them, and they’re real exciting, but you don’t get anywhere.”
Joe Rogan has described video games as a “waste of time” for 'most people': https://t.co/8phVgmGYP9 pic.twitter.com/HGVgCfr7mh
— DEXERTO.COM (@Dexerto) July 26, 2020
“Video games are a real problem,” Rogan on the Joe Rogan Experience. “They’re a real problem. You know why? Because they’re fucking fun. They’re [addictive], I have a real problem with them. You do them, and they’re real exciting, but you don’t get anywhere.”
He continued, “Three years later you could just be that same kid, just playing video games, waiting for the next whatever the f*** game is… and you’re gonna waste your time.”
Ninja, the world’s premier gamer, pushed back explaining the wide variety of opportunities in gaming, such as coaching.
“Joe doesn’t really understand the full context of what the gaming community is and how many different avenues you can be successful in gaming,” Ninja argued.
Joe Rogan gaming comment thoughts video.
Mind was kinda everywhere but wanted to get a little vid out to explain it sooner rather than later.
ALSO! Enjoy the full emo hair Ninj right now 🤪 pic.twitter.com/fgb92vUVtF
— Ninja (@Ninja) July 26, 2020
This is actually an intriguing debate. It’s nothing like last month when Rogan’s name randomly trended and a bunch of sad Twitter users, without learning what he said, called for his removal. We still don’t know what he did, nor does the mob.
Ironically, Rogan made this case while recording a podcast, an industry lacking a strong middle class. There are podcast hosts who make absurd amounts of money — and hosts who do it for fun. Currently, the odds favor a livable career in esports.
With that said, if Rogan did botch his argument, and subsequently got dunked on by Ninja, he’ll be fine. A $100 million deal and a move to Texas make up for blunders like those.
He’s saying he plays them too. He’s actually saying what I’ve always said – and I play video games and watch youtube the majority of my free time. Yeah they’re a waste of time and even piss me off when I’m playing them but I don’t care. Ninja should just leave it alone. And I don’t care about ninja and neither do most gamers, despite his massive popularity.
It depends how you play I guess. I do regret those teenage years misspent on King of Fighters, C&C, Red Alert, Tekken, et cetera. (I coulda made a lot more of myself, dammit!) But there’s nothing wrong with the occasional game of Forza or WWE 2K. Nothing wrong if you play recreationally, not religiously.
The overly sensitive gaming community cannot take a self-deprecating joke? I love video games as well (I just haven’t played it in like three years but would binge a couple of hours every couple of years or so). Joe Rogan pretty much summed up what every single parent has in mind when their kids are playing Fortnight and refusing to go to the mall with them. Also, the argument that video game can monetize for gamer is not smart argument when it applies to only a tiny fraction of gamers.
He’s both right and wrong here depending on what context you take it in. I play video games, and in terms of taking away time from other things I could or should be getting done like chores or whatever else, then yes they are kind of a waste of time. This is because you sink hours into them without really accomplishing anything “concrete.” For example, if I’m playing video games I don’t get a shed built in my back yard or Phil from Modern Family never gets time to fix that step.
On the flip side, if you are playing video games in your free time, for fun, and they don’t get in the way of your responsibilities, they are by no means a waste of time. They are a method of self-care and bringing some enjoyment to your life, essential for mental health. You could substitute pretty much anything else other than playing video games here if it’s something you enjoy.
For the TL;DR crew – basically, it’s not a waste of time if it’s something you enjoy. You ARE wasting your time most likely though if you are thinking they are leading to some sort of career or opportunities. Use them for fun and social interaction