This is Alpha, the first-born, when he was 2YO.
This is Beta, the second-born, when he was about 2YO.
This is Gamma, the third-born, when he was about 18MO.
Coordination T. Cornpone
Nov
23
2009
What is the point of developing hand-eye coordination?
I was thinking about that while on vacation with my extended family. My nephew and I were playing Guitar Hero, and I thought “Why does it matter how good I get at this game? Sure, it’s fun to play, but why should I spend hours practicing pushing little plastic buttons?”
No, I don’t actually spend hours practicing Guitar Hero, as I don’t have the game. That was just a hypothetical question. And yes, it is fun to play and one can create lasting memories playing games with people. But it’s the interactions and relationships with people that really makes the memories, not the game itself.
It would be one thing to spend that time practicing a real guitar, a guitar that I could take places and entertain people. Come to think of it, it can be pretty entertaining watching some people play Guitar Hero. But I have no aspirations of becoming a singer/songwriter, so that’s why I don’t spend time on a real guitar.
For a long time, the best rationalization people had for spending timing gaming was that it develops hand-eye coordination. I suppose a minimum level of that skill is necessary, but after some point there can’t be much added benefit.
In your normal life, how much precision hand-eye coordination is required? Once you get the basics down, you should be good. Why not work on your walking skills or breathing skills?
Maybe someone wants to become a skilled surgeon – that would require good hand-eye coordination. What would be a better use of your time – staring at a screen and pressing pieces of plastic with your thumbs or maybe knitting or sewing something?
Playing something is one thing; practicing it is another. You should practice what you want to do. If watching a screen and pressing buttons very quickly is what you want to do, then go for it.
Let every skillful man among you come, and make all that the LORD has commanded:
Exodus 35:10
This little article thingy was written by Some Guy sometime around 11:34 pm and has been carefully placed in the Ponder category.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I’ve been working on my walking skills for 28 years, and I don’t seem to be getting any better.
December 5th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Oh, excellent thoughts! And very fitting application of Jesus’s admonition in John 5:24, “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” You are so right that it is the relational experience, not the game that should get credit for the memories. This helps so much in making decisions– if we can achieve the same result for free at a park vs. an $$$ venture at some tourist trap, all the better! How much richer our lives would be if we analyzed our choices more closely!
Lol Burrill :)
December 5th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Hello. You mention hand and eye coordination. I have a little practice, not quite a ritual, of when at McDonalds, and about to add contents of the little creamer cup to my coffee that, I fold back the creamer lid, and with only the little drink hole open on the coffee cup below, I extend my hand holding the creamer to full length above this cup and then begin a judging process that lasts about ten seconds. Then I slowly pour the creamer out and down through the tiny drink hole of the coffee cup lid. I hit it exactly about half the time and within a half inch the rest. Once in a while I really miss my aim and then I make a mental note to (just joking here) try to drive more carefully on the way home. I get applause from onlookers occasionally, but often my non-supportive friends make a dash for their table napkins and drape themselves like they were about to eat lobster, they’re so afraid of the splash. Feel free to try this yourselves! Bye, and have fun!