Have you ever considered that it could be a multitude of reasons?
It’s easy to preach on high about enjoying books but I think that’s folly, we all enjoy different things and just because yours is “socially accepted” (for lack of a better term) doesn’t mean it’s inherently better. What you read is usually more important than the fact that you read, for example.
Regardless of that particular point: I find that men, especially young men, are consistently being told that their behaviour is bad. No matter what they do.
If they seek career status then they’re contributing to sexism by not making space for women (an extreme example but one I have been accused of openly).
If they seek male companionship and shared experiences they’re accused of “lad” behaviour and if it’s in public they’re usually targeted by police for loitering or giving an aura of unsafety.
If the world is hostile to you, why not retreat into a world where you basically put everything aside and feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment from a virtual world? The benefit is that nobody makes you feel bad about it while you’re doing it.
It’s only after the fact that people look down on you for enjoying yourself.
Note: I don’t really play games and I read a lot of books like you, but I make games and I really despise that people look down on my customers for enjoying themselves.
It’s easy to preach on high about enjoying books but I think that’s folly, we all enjoy different things and just because yours is “socially accepted” (for lack of a better term) doesn’t mean it’s inherently better. What you read is usually more important than the fact that you read, for example.
Regardless of that particular point: I find that men, especially young men, are consistently being told that their behaviour is bad. No matter what they do.
If they seek career status then they’re contributing to sexism by not making space for women (an extreme example but one I have been accused of openly).
If they seek male companionship and shared experiences they’re accused of “lad” behaviour and if it’s in public they’re usually targeted by police for loitering or giving an aura of unsafety.
If the world is hostile to you, why not retreat into a world where you basically put everything aside and feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment from a virtual world? The benefit is that nobody makes you feel bad about it while you’re doing it.
It’s only after the fact that people look down on you for enjoying yourself.
Note: I don’t really play games and I read a lot of books like you, but I make games and I really despise that people look down on my customers for enjoying themselves.