Episode 127: 12 Angry Birds

Episode notes

Anna brings the case against her boyfriend, David. David says Anna is addicted to playing electronic games, to her own detriment . Anna says the games are simply recreational and relaxing, and that she can quit any time she wants. Is Anna a gaming addict? Only one man can decide.

Thanks to Kate Powers for suggesting this week’s case name! To suggest a title for a future episode, like us on Facebook at Judge John Hodgman! We regularly put a call for submissions.

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Evidence

Submitted by David
My claim is that Anna’s denial of ‘addiction’ abuses the spirit of the concept. I submit in evidence a dictionary definition of the word, and its origins in the idea of being ‘bound or devoted’ to something. I think that it would be hard to argue that this is not an apt description of Anna’s gaming. I think that a consultation of her playing statistics (which she is submitting herself) bear this out; they add up to a considerable period of time spent playing ‘Sweet Squash’, the game that has prompted this dispute, as well as ‘Malevolent Avians’ and ‘Arachnid solo card game’ (alternate names used to avoid ‘buzz marketing’).
Please see: dictionary definition of “addiction”.

Submitted by Anna
Here are some of my games statistics. As regards to the Spider Solitaire it should be known that I have only played on this computer for 6 months, i.e. the statistics should be considered within that time frame.

Gameplay statistics
Since we spoke I have timed my Candy Crush play time which has so far amounted to only 4h 6mins. (This would be about a 48 hour period).
Please see screenshots of playing times and achievements for other games.

Angry Birds survey
“The conclusion of this research as regards to my case is plain to see. I am above the age of 25, employed and not single, therefore I fall into the category for whom Angry Birds has been shown to both make the player relaxed and improve their mood.”

How Does Angry Birds Make Players Feel?
More than half of the gamers AYTM (Ask Your Target Market Research) surveyed feel relaxed and report that their moods improve when they play Angry Birds. However, younger players are more likely to be in a worse mood after playing Angry Birds compared to people over 25 years of age. Single and unemployed folks are also more likely to see their moods deteriorate when they play Angry Birds than those who are married or employed.

Internet Addiction Test Results

“To further drive the point home about my non-addiction I took the test below. I would say that the result rather proves my case.”
Internet Addiction Test (taken on the Center for Internet Addiction’s website, http://netaddiction.com)

Your time: 00:02:07
You have reached 35 of 100 points, (35%)
20 – 49 points: You are an average on-line user. You may surf the Web a bit too long at times, but you have control over your usage.