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General discussionTheists? Will evidence ever wise them up?(57 posts)(57 posts)
(57 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted June 28, 2021
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borisburke: I live alone, and have been self-isolating since FEB2020. One of my coping mechanisms is a Saturday booze and movie night.
Well, I can commiserate to some extent (though my life was terrible even before the pandemic). I'm pretty sick of this whole Corona situation myself, I really hope it will mostly be over next year.
Posted June 28, 2021
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Canuck_Cat: The correct solution here is to drink domestic liquor instead. Cheaper for the same amount of entertainment while also supporting local businesses.
Amen.
Posted June 28, 2021
low rated
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Canuck_Cat: Context here is that OP's been buying games from GOG. Only game with microtransactions to my knowledge is Gwent. So while I can see the psychological similarities between impulse purchase rush and lootbox rushes, they're still a bit different.
That's not the claim i'm making or one from OP that i'm responding to, though. Another user has stated they have had that exact problem, however. The thing is, the fundamental issue between his understanding of those other issues and his own problem is actually the same, which is why I go into it. The problem is, the OP may or may not be capable of deep though, but we do know that on these issues (and including self-analysis) they did not occur. OP needs encouragement to do so, because that's most likely the solution most likely to last.
I suspect OP's shitposting about wanting to be banned is a tongue-in-cheek bait to get people interested in the topic for their inputs.
If it wasn't for the fact I've seen unironic cases before where people actually wanted banned to control theire forum addiction or whatever, I would agree.

Honestly, addictions are only problematic if they're compromising an important facet of their lives in compensation. If this is a real addiction, the best way is to seek professional help (i.e., CBT and possibly medication), improving mindfulness like meditation, and actively recognizing their impulses, and rerouting to another healthier activity instead (e.g., calisthenics, snack on some veggies/nuts, reading books, solving puzzles, etc.). Not asking other addicts about how to curb their game spending habits.
I wish i could agreee, but there's 2 problems with this:

1. Alot of professionals have a degree, but are actually quite incompetent. If he were to find a good therapist, I would indeed agree to go that route, however that's not very likely in my experience or the experience of others i've talked to before.

2. Rerouting such impulses to a healtheir activity will often make that activity not as healthy. The problem is the excess, in this case, not the engagement at all. This means the addiction must be solved in it's entirety, because redirecting it will turn into excess where it's redirected to. The professionals will probably say as much, too, even if they recommend the technique (to get someone away from particularly harmful situatons, however).
Given the severity of the OP's issue, which isn't a level of severe addiction, I think smaller solutions (e.g., introducing series of intermediate decisionmaking steps, sticking to a budget, boycotting, etc.) are appropriate enough. If these easy solutions don't work, then obviously they should be seeking a professional's opinion and not some randoms on the same platform they're trying to quit from.
He's averaging 6-7 games per month. This could very well be a problem if he's buying the more expensive ones rather than the less expensive ones. This could be somewhere between 10 bucks a month and 400 a month depending on which games he's buying. I'm actually prone to believing this is a huge problem for him, 'cause that a little over half rent for most areas if i go by US standards (i understand he's in the UK, though, but I can use US standards to avoid converting with xe to come to the same conclusion since i know it's mere a slight difference in numbers).

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borisburke: I live alone, and have been self-isolating since FEB2020. One of my coping mechanisms is a Saturday booze and movie night.
I think your drunk self noticed something, even if he was a bit flippant. Are you normally extroverted?
Posted June 28, 2021
low rated
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Canuck_Cat: Context here is that OP's been buying games from GOG. Only game with microtransactions to my knowledge is Gwent. So while I can see the psychological similarities between impulse purchase rush and lootbox rushes, they're still a bit different.
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kohlrak: That's not the claim i'm making or one from OP that i'm responding to, though. Another user has stated they have had that exact problem, however. The thing is, the fundamental issue between his understanding of those other issues and his own problem is actually the same, which is why I go into it. The problem is, the OP may or may not be capable of deep though, but we do know that on these issues (and including self-analysis) they did not occur. OP needs encouragement to do so, because that's most likely the solution most likely to last.

I suspect OP's shitposting about wanting to be banned is a tongue-in-cheek bait to get people interested in the topic for their inputs.
avatar
kohlrak: If it wasn't for the fact I've seen unironic cases before where people actually wanted banned to control theire forum addiction or whatever, I would agree.

Honestly, addictions are only problematic if they're compromising an important facet of their lives in compensation. If this is a real addiction, the best way is to seek professional help (i.e., CBT and possibly medication), improving mindfulness like meditation, and actively recognizing their impulses, and rerouting to another healthier activity instead (e.g., calisthenics, snack on some veggies/nuts, reading books, solving puzzles, etc.). Not asking other addicts about how to curb their game spending habits.
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kohlrak: I wish i could agreee, but there's 2 problems with this:

1. Alot of professionals have a degree, but are actually quite incompetent. If he were to find a good therapist, I would indeed agree to go that route, however that's not very likely in my experience or the experience of others i've talked to before.

2. Rerouting such impulses to a healtheir activity will often make that activity not as healthy. The problem is the excess, in this case, not the engagement at all. This means the addiction must be solved in it's entirety, because redirecting it will turn into excess where it's redirected to. The professionals will probably say as much, too, even if they recommend the technique (to get someone away from particularly harmful situatons, however).

Given the severity of the OP's issue, which isn't a level of severe addiction, I think smaller solutions (e.g., introducing series of intermediate decisionmaking steps, sticking to a budget, boycotting, etc.) are appropriate enough. If these easy solutions don't work, then obviously they should be seeking a professional's opinion and not some randoms on the same platform they're trying to quit from.
avatar
kohlrak: He's averaging 6-7 games per month. This could very well be a problem if he's buying the more expensive ones rather than the less expensive ones. This could be somewhere between 10 bucks a month and 400 a month depending on which games he's buying. I'm actually prone to believing this is a huge problem for him, 'cause that a little over half rent for most areas if i go by US standards (i understand he's in the UK, though, but I can use US standards to avoid converting with xe to come to the same conclusion since i know it's mere a slight difference in numbers).
To discuss more emotional, psychological and neuropsychological topics around here would be good, since we have people mature enough to discuss things like this without harm, I think, by what I've observed until now.

Even if OP was trolling (I'm not completely sure if he was, neither saying he was doing so), this is a topic that many people suffer from. Many times, buying things compulsively is a result of anxiety related disorders which aren't a rare thing in our times, as we know already.

---

To clarify: I'm not saying OP have anxiety disorder. Bringing this up because this may be a fruitful discussion for everyone.
Post edited June 28, 2021 by .Keys
Posted June 28, 2021
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kohlrak: I think your drunk self noticed something, even if he was a bit flippant. Are you normally extroverted?
Quite the reverse.
Posted June 28, 2021
low rated
avatar
Canuck_Cat: Context here is that OP's been buying games from GOG. Only game with microtransactions to my knowledge is Gwent. So while I can see the psychological similarities between impulse purchase rush and lootbox rushes, they're still a bit different.
avatar
kohlrak: That's not the claim i'm making or one from OP that i'm responding to, though. Another user has stated they have had that exact problem, however. The thing is, the fundamental issue between his understanding of those other issues and his own problem is actually the same, which is why I go into it. The problem is, the OP may or may not be capable of deep though, but we do know that on these issues (and including self-analysis) they did not occur. OP needs encouragement to do so, because that's most likely the solution most likely to last.

I suspect OP's shitposting about wanting to be banned is a tongue-in-cheek bait to get people interested in the topic for their inputs.
avatar
kohlrak: If it wasn't for the fact I've seen unironic cases before where people actually wanted banned to control theire forum addiction or whatever, I would agree.

Honestly, addictions are only problematic if they're compromising an important facet of their lives in compensation. If this is a real addiction, the best way is to seek professional help (i.e., CBT and possibly medication), improving mindfulness like meditation, and actively recognizing their impulses, and rerouting to another healthier activity instead (e.g., calisthenics, snack on some veggies/nuts, reading books, solving puzzles, etc.). Not asking other addicts about how to curb their game spending habits.
avatar
kohlrak: I wish i could agreee, but there's 2 problems with this:

1. Alot of professionals have a degree, but are actually quite incompetent. If he were to find a good therapist, I would indeed agree to go that route, however that's not very likely in my experience or the experience of others i've talked to before.

2. Rerouting such impulses to a healtheir activity will often make that activity not as healthy. The problem is the excess, in this case, not the engagement at all. This means the addiction must be solved in it's entirety, because redirecting it will turn into excess where it's redirected to. The professionals will probably say as much, too, even if they recommend the technique (to get someone away from particularly harmful situatons, however).

Given the severity of the OP's issue, which isn't a level of severe addiction, I think smaller solutions (e.g., introducing series of intermediate decisionmaking steps, sticking to a budget, boycotting, etc.) are appropriate enough. If these easy solutions don't work, then obviously they should be seeking a professional's opinion and not some randoms on the same platform they're trying to quit from.
avatar
kohlrak: He's averaging 6-7 games per month. This could very well be a problem if he's buying the more expensive ones rather than the less expensive ones. This could be somewhere between 10 bucks a month and 400 a month depending on which games he's buying. I'm actually prone to believing this is a huge problem for him, 'cause that a little over half rent for most areas if i go by US standards (i understand he's in the UK, though, but I can use US standards to avoid converting with xe to come to the same conclusion since i know it's mere a slight difference in numbers).

avatar
borisburke: I live alone, and have been self-isolating since FEB2020. One of my coping mechanisms is a Saturday booze and movie night.
avatar
kohlrak: I think your drunk self noticed something, even if he was a bit flippant. Are you normally extroverted?
And it might not be as bad too .. But its still a problem.. Why I say this if he has the self control to wait for sales that are 50 or more percent off in getting the more expressive ones it ain't near as bad as it could be .. Still a worrisome thing given I can say for a fact given my history on buying stuff that cheap and more can still equal in the 40 to 50 dollar range or more depending on if we talking base games without dlc or with it and if its pricey game on 50 percent or so sale (so far it seems Dyling light might be the worst offendier on G.O.G I am aware of on here with DLC but others worse I could be unaware of on here ) but if its not on sale he buys em on and the more pricey ones ya I can say I am worried bout that then indeed
Posted June 28, 2021
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borisburke: Well this is embarrassing.

I drank a bottle of Jack Daniel's before making that post.

I listen to Ella Fitzgerald when I'm drunk, so that explains the youtube link.

Apologies to everyone.
Cheers! :o)
Posted June 28, 2021
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Canuck_Cat: The correct solution here is to drink domestic liquor instead. Cheaper for the same amount of entertainment while also supporting local businesses.
Wait, have you ever heard of good german Vodka? Probably not, because there isn't any. :/
I need my Russian Standard. :P
Posted June 28, 2021
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kohlrak: snip
All right. If anyone else stumbles on this thread and needs help quitting impulse purchasing, refer to this article by a psychiatrist from the University of Connecticut medical school. Other papers include:
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/sold/201207/what-motivates-impulse-buying
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/consumer-behavior/201303/five-reasons-we-impulse-buy
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-science-behind-behavior/202004/why-are-certain-buying-impulses-harmful
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-science-behind-behavior/202003/how-anxiety-affects-our-buying-behaviors

tl;dr:
Some anxiety is causing you to latch on this artificial happiness (stress, lack of fulfillment, unhappiness, depression, etc.) Strategy for coping:
1. Physically remove yourself from that shopping location to destress yourself
2. Take a break and physically relaxing your body to clear your mind (e.g., light exercise)
3. Think about your core values and stick to them
4. Consciously rank your stress and how much your core values mean to you; if this item is more relevant to your core values, it's worth buying and if it's not, then don't buy it

My previous advice related more to expanding step #3. I also watch at least two trusted Youtube reviews before I commit to buying to ensure I made a good decision. And I'll return the games if I've found it intolerable even if other people have rated it highly. By making the shopping experience so tedious and having to meet so many different criteria, most of the games I end up buying score very high in utility for me.

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NuffCatnip: Wait, have you ever heard of good german Vodka? Probably not, because there isn't any. :/
I need my Russian Standard. :P
Unfortunately, I quit drinking a couple years ago except for cooking. Don't you have Gorbatschow or Grasovska? Just use them for cocktails. Or just stick to other local liquors or craft beers.
Post edited June 28, 2021 by Canuck_Cat
Posted June 28, 2021
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NuffCatnip: Wait, have you ever heard of good german Vodka? Probably not, because there isn't any. :/
I need my Russian Standard. :P
avatar
Canuck_Cat: Unfortunately, I quit drinking a couple years ago except for cooking. Don't you have Gorbatschow or Grasovska? Just use them for cocktails. Or just stick to other local liquors or craft beers.
Can't stand Gorbatschow and I think I've never seen Grasovska in stores. Not a fan of cocktails or mixing alcohol either. :)

Getting drunk on beer just feels wrong...and it's expensive. :P
Posted June 28, 2021
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StingingVelvet: I'm agnostic as hell but I think it's just as delusional to say there is no god as it is to say your specific idea of god is unquestionably true. The truth is none of us know the origins of the universe and we'll all die not knowing.
Apart from the fact that this topic is really about a game buying issue, and that Politics and Religion are not supposed to be discussed here, I will just have my five second say, my view if you like. It's not meant to be the start of an argument, at least from me ... so take the following as just a short comment only.

If ANY Gods existed, they would be self evident. And Logic & Reason very clearly tell you that a Religious God is extremely unlikely (i.e. 99.9999% so) ... and that has nothing to do with Science vs Religion, as they could quite happily co-exist.
Posted June 29, 2021
Just stop
Pages:
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionTheists? Will evidence ever wise them up?(57 posts)(57 posts)
(57 posts)