Re: People prefer videogames to the outdoors

Interesting, isn't it, that we're creating targeted virtual communities consisting of people who, in most cases we've never met (much like this one) while abandoning interpersonal relationships with our neighbors. I'd say it's a rather sad state of affairs (although I guess I need to smack myself, since I participate in a number of discussion groups). Perhaps I've done something right, my three kids (now one young adult and two teenagers) still get out and enjoy the outdoors, still go hiking (even without my dragging them along). Hopefully their children will do the same.
Think about it, though. How many people spend hours on a treadmill in good weather, rather than running or hiking outside? I even know a couple of "climbers" who have never (to my knowledge) set foot or finger on a real cliff - they're just gym rats. The physical health benefits may be the same, indoors or out, but I have to believe that the mental health benefits of actually being out there must be greater (in my case it may be possible to counter that assertion, however ...)
Our over-adaptation to modern life is revealed every time there's a natural disaster that interrupts the flow of power to the grid .... most people have no clue what to do.

Sorry for the rambling rant -

Fred