6 replies to this topic

[btstlouis]

Something has been bugging me lately. It's the reality that seemingly all people think they can tell you that you shouldn't care so much about something. By the way, I am speaking from a hobby/passion standpoint (examples: cars, sports, music, video games), not from life's overarching themes (relationships, religion, ect).

In my example, it's sports (or any type of competition really). I love winning, I love getting better at things, I love everything about competing against other people in different areas. I'm not a jerk in competitive situations, I just always play to win.

It seems that most people like to play "for fun" over playing "to win".
That's fine. Really, I don't care if you're not competive.

But it doesn't go both ways. You can want to play for fun, and I won't judge you. So why is the reverse not true? Why am I judged and berated for trying my best and always playing to win? Who are you to tell me how I should go about it?

Our society is so inconsistent with this. Certain things are okay to be passionate about, while others are condemned. Take music for example, no one criticizes another for being obsessed with improving their guitar skills. But if I want to be awesome at Halo, that is largely just seen as a complete waste of time and you are wrong for putting so much time into something so trivial.

/rant

[Bakuda]

Many people view things like this as a waste of time...but it's healthy to have a hobby. And it's natural to want to do your best with whatever you do. It becomes a waste of time when it gets too obsessive and you spend way too much time with it. Life is a balancing act...so long as you keep things in balance there's nothing wrong with going for the win =)

(null)

[Vlad Yvhv]

Generally, the problem comes from people who play to win to the point of no longer playing fair, or to the point of ruining the game for everyone who's trying to have a good time. Nobody likes the jackass who's so worried about winning that he cheats, or generally makes everyone else feel bad because they're not as good as he is. You know that nerd who's one of only 10 people on the planet who knows how to use that secret chess move that allows them to always win? That's the guy everyone else who plays chess for fun wants to punch in the face. That's the slippery slope that the "play to win" mentality leads to.

If you wanna be the best at something, then people can get behind that. It's a noble goal. If you just want to always win, then you'll be looked down on, because that's generally not the point. Most hobbies and games and wnatnot are designed for people to have fun with. Yes, there are winners and losers. But that's not really the point. The point is to get together and have a good time.

[RedAuthar]

In your defense, part of having fun is trying to win. To play the game right, you need to TRY TO WIN. However winning should not be the ultimate goal. Play to have fun, but try to win. If you lose, at least it was fun, if you win, great. Always try to do better the next time.

[btstlouis]

Generally, the problem comes from people who play to win to the point of no longer playing fair, or to the point of ruining the game for everyone who's trying to have a good time. Nobody likes the jackass who's so worried about winning that he cheats, or generally makes everyone else feel bad because they're not as good as he is. You know that nerd who's one of only 10 people on the planet who knows how to use that secret chess move that allows them to always win? That's the guy everyone else who plays chess for fun wants to punch in the face. That's the slippery slope that the "play to win" mentality leads to.

If you wanna be the best at something, then people can get behind that. It's a noble goal. If you just want to always win, then you'll be looked down on, because that's generally not the point. Most hobbies and games and wnatnot are designed for people to have fun with. Yes, there are winners and losers. But that's not really the point. The point is to get together and have a good time.

I completely agree with you on the cheating part. I would never cheat to win. My goal in winning is often to prove to myself that I can be the best at something, regardless of what other people think. Cheating obviously does not accomplish that.

In your defense, part of having fun is trying to win. To play the game right, you need to TRY TO WIN. However winning should not be the ultimate goal. Play to have fun, but try to win. If you lose, at least it was fun, if you win, great. Always try to do better the next time.

Thanks for this response. This is such an underrated part of having fun doing an activity. If everyone is trying to win, the process is more fun for everyone I believe. Therefore I simply sigh at people who say playing for fun and playing to win are mutually exclusive.

[RedAuthar]

Thanks for this response. This is such an underrated part of having fun doing an activity. If everyone is trying to win, the process is more fun for everyone I believe. Therefore I simply sigh at people who say playing for fun and playing to win are mutually exclusive.

In any competition there are winners and losers. But winning is hollow if the competitors don't try to win. That takes away the fun from the winners. So by default, for everyone to have fun, you need to play by the rules to win.

[RedMenace]

I'd say another issue is when the winners go overboard with trash talk. I personally feel it's poor sportsmanship. It can be frustrating to lose when you're giving it everything you've got. But I'd rather lose to someone who's respectful, rather than some douche.