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As a fellow video game ascetic, I appreciate these thoughts. Video games are tricky little things. I understand your hesitation to call them downright useless, yet I am very tempted to elevate them there. It may be my own bias, but it is hard to find any sort of redeeming qualities in them. (Aside from Wordle, which is its own category). Also, video games are unique in their peculiar ability to isolate the user from his surroundings. It's amazing how video games can capture hours of rapt attention from the user, who becomes completely oblivious to his surroundings. I've seen a similar effect from movies and television, yet that effect seems diluted compared to effect of video games. (Whether that's attributable to the duration, content, or other reason I'm unsure). The simple addictiveness of the game is actually less concerning to me (I don't think addiction is per se immoral), but the way in which it is addictive is very concerning.
I think what you are getting it is really the "aha" that the book helped me realize. Video games are a more potent form of entertainment than our brains are meant to handle. It's cheating our brain because it's so optimized for hitting that desire without any of the natural costs that should come with it.