Two weeks ago the Afrikaans current affairs program, Fokus, that I was part of was aired. I’ve finally got the clip thanks to some great YouTube searching by dogaming’s Rob Clegg and now I’ve cut out all the crap we don’t want to see and added in some sub titles for my best friend in the whole world.
So if you are interested in what I had to say about eSports in South Africa as well as what Colin and some other local gamers had to say just click play below.
Unfortunately only a small portion of what I had to say was actually shown. In the end I’m not overly happy with how the show was put together but at least eSports has hit mainstream TV in one form for now. It can only get bigger from here on out.
My second appearance was on the technology show, Network, on DSTV channel 404. I was asked to come on to chat about gaming addiction but as soon as I heard the psychologist was from a rehabilitation clinic I knew how this was going to go.
It was fun being on live TV but you can see I’m not really cut out for the bright lights of TV.
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Last Updated: August 15, 2014
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
August 15, 2014 at 15:02
Caught the tail end of the Gaming Addiction one on a rerun after midnight. That damn women had me ranting like a mad man at the TV at 01:00 in the morning.
Pieter Smal
August 16, 2014 at 07:52
As long as you do not throw naartjie peels at the TV like rugly-watchers do!
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 15, 2014 at 15:07
IT’S GAAAVVVVVINNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!! GAVINNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!! *breath breath* GAAAAAAAVVVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!
Hammersteyn
August 15, 2014 at 15:37
It’s the devil! Oh no sorry, someone else.
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
August 15, 2014 at 15:09
Hey look Rince’s cousin got SA colours in e-Sports.
Hammersteyn
August 15, 2014 at 15:38
Did his cousin play Dark Souls or Soul Caliber?
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
August 15, 2014 at 15:39
Do not know but after he was finished the poor bugger next to him could no longer use a keyboard.
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
August 15, 2014 at 15:14
Next time on Carte Blanche we look into corruption and pay offs in gaming journalism.
“Mr Mannion this Devi from Carte Blanche”
“Hello Mr Mannion why are you running away?”
Grant [_G_] Hancock
August 15, 2014 at 15:15
Chick in 2nd vid is so effing clueless … I don’t believe that #1 – she has any real experience with addicts and addiction and #2 – if she knew one iota about gaming, gamers and gaming community.
Seems that she has just gone to varsity and been indoctrinated into one way of thinking without actually finding shit out for herself.
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
August 15, 2014 at 15:18
Just listening again to her closing argument “It doesn’t serve them in any way” AAAAAHAHAHHAHAAH!!!!
My whole career (and I’m sure many other guys here including Gavin) has it origins in gaming.
That whole argument is releases the same brain chemicals as drugs bla bla bla. Let me see so does sex, exercise, sport like rugby motor racing (especially professionals), anything thrilling and fun. these nanny state liberals want us all to be virgins and sit naked under a tree hugging it.
Grant [_G_] Hancock
August 15, 2014 at 15:27
Yeah… what bull… in last six months of playing Dota have made tons of new friends, many of whom are in and around PE, get together often, braai or what-what … My brother in law and I who really have nothing much else in common, have become good friends through playing games FPS games together… Mate of mine is software-developer and web-designer … has gotten quite a few jobs through gaming… suits him better than a round of golf.
Don’t know one single person who’s life has been made worse through gaming.
R1ker
August 15, 2014 at 17:39
Exactly – I am in the IT industry because of gaming.
iAmWeasel
August 15, 2014 at 15:49
I disagree with sine of the things she said, but I think there is some value in her message. A lot of kids do become obsessed with gaming, and yes it can hamper social development. I used to absolutely LOVE playing games as kid, but my parents were always quite strict about setting boundaries that protected me from completely alienating myself from the rest of the world. I am grateful for that and I’m trying to do the same thing with my kids now.
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
August 15, 2014 at 17:28
Well there is the important part. YOUR PARENTS made the decision. And it is the parents job to do it set boundaries and keep the child within these boundaries during development.
She is one of those people who want to take away the parents responsibility have some kind of government intervention like NO kid games allowed, no advertising for games aimed at kids, probably make it illegal (have parent locked up) if kids under the age of x ever play games.
I do not support violence except when defending one self against attack, maar partykeer wil ek net sekere mense met die DOM-stok bliksem totdat hulle verstand groei.
R1ker
August 15, 2014 at 17:39
Yes – dude. With all due respect – she has no idea of what gaming is about
Umar Ver 1.Happy
August 15, 2014 at 15:21
“More than an hour a day is too much time”….
Do you even Skyrim!!??
Admiral Chief Dovahkiin
August 15, 2014 at 15:27
Indeed, NO FUS RO DAH FOR YOU!!!
Admiral Chief Dovahkiin
August 15, 2014 at 15:27
SPITBRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAI
PointMan
August 15, 2014 at 15:27
Once again why is the secretary of the MSSA in the public eye and not the president…. O i forgot he’s too busy playing his board games to give his full attention to the MSSA.
Anon A Mouse
August 15, 2014 at 15:30
HAHAHA Gavin looks irritated in that second vid. Anyone that takes a psychologist serious is being trolled at master level. It isn’t even a science.
Bob the Zealot
August 15, 2014 at 15:34
Guys, please help. I’m a gaming addict and I can’t stop. I’ve been hooked for about 18 years and I don’t think I can get this monkey off my back. Any recommendations?
CodeName Tailgunner
August 15, 2014 at 15:36
Dota and Skyrim works for me
Bob the Zealot
August 15, 2014 at 15:39
You evil person, you. You’re clearly an enabler who is just out to make this very serious problem worse. I mean gaming addiction pales in comparison to things like drug addiction, crime and…
Who am I kidding….MOAR SKYRIM!
CodeName Tailgunner
August 15, 2014 at 15:44
Apparently Chilled Fowl has been suggested as a cure
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
August 15, 2014 at 15:38
Come over here, I’ll slap with Bible, drown you in some whole holy water, force feed you prescription drugs and lock you a padded cell. It is good for you trust me a pseudo-doctor.
Bob the Zealot
August 15, 2014 at 15:41
Bash me with a Bible eh? Think I’ll pass. No Bible-bashing for you 😛
Mark Treloar
August 15, 2014 at 15:45
You have a monkey on your back? try this!
Kromas of City17
August 15, 2014 at 15:37
I would give my left leg to game 10-16 hours a day.
Rags
August 15, 2014 at 15:55
You will probably lose it due to diabetes 😛
Kromas of City17
August 15, 2014 at 16:06
Good thing I am hypoglycemic so it will take quite a bit for me to become diabetic. 😛
Also who needs legs (or anything but your brain in the very distant future) to properly game 😛
Rags
August 15, 2014 at 16:07
Hope I can plug my brain in too one day 😀
Kromas of City17
August 15, 2014 at 16:09
I will be donating my brain to DARPA for their Cyber Tank research. 🙂
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 15, 2014 at 18:12
You can borrow Oscar’s, he’s not going to need them soon.
Kromas of City17
August 15, 2014 at 18:49
I think he already sold them on OLX.
Kromas of City17
August 15, 2014 at 15:41
Sorry WTF! Games really have no benefit?! Does she work for FOX news?
I have already learned how to survive several variants of a zombie apocalypse as well as how to deal with many varieties of alien invasions!
Also the flowery language of insulting you mother.
CAE9872
August 15, 2014 at 18:37
You talk the truth man! When them zombies and aliens attack the rest of the world will turn to us gamers! HELP US PLEASE…
Mark Treloar
August 15, 2014 at 15:50
That interviewer hurts my brain.
Rags
August 15, 2014 at 16:06
Hmm, gaming can be an addiction. I certainly was addicted to Diablo 1, thinking about that shit every day for a few weeks. But that was just a phase. Now I’m immune to any form of grinding.
But to demonise introverts? WTF? They get drained by most outside social interaction, its not doing them any favours. Social interaction on the internet, by playing a game or reading books together is much better for them.
Viking Of Science
August 15, 2014 at 16:55
RE: that Karen woman (refresh)
Tarka_za
August 15, 2014 at 16:57
Sy is hier in Kaapstad. Miskien moet ek haar op soek sodat ek daai stok uit haar agter wêreld kan uit haal.
Gaming in no way beneficial? Bitch please, I learned to drive a car the first time I got in to it because I played NFS on manual in 90’s.You’ll learn English, budgeting, superior hand eye coordination, the ins and out robbing a bank and what to do in case of an zombie apocalypse etc… This list goes on and on.
Ryanza
August 15, 2014 at 17:05
Ha Ha you all alcoholics and drug addicts. I support DRM-free, so I’m not hooked.
Just to note from that interview. If you delete Origin, Uplay, Steam, don’t buy Xbox Live Gold, don’t buy PSN+, turn your internet off, you should be fine as a gamer.
Don’t support DRM, you addicts.
Alex Hicks
August 15, 2014 at 17:09
That “psychologist” in the addiction vid … what a completely clueless person. I am actually speechless. I can hardly bear to watch …
R1ker
August 15, 2014 at 17:42
Yep – she made my brain hurt – and then I burst out in spontaneous laughter.
R1ker
August 15, 2014 at 17:38
Oh my god – I have a problem – I am addicted to gaming!!!! My live is never going to be the same again.
Mr Comments
August 15, 2014 at 18:03
Hordes of adolescent teen boys are waiting to pull-wire if that blonde manages to make it into a professional e-sports team
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 15, 2014 at 18:28
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA @ Harmony Addictions Clinic. FUCK OFF WITH YOUR MYSTICAL PSEUDOSCIENCE BULLSHIT. And yes, that’s all the respect you’re entitled to given your blurb below. Nothing you say can be taken seriously after reading that.
“Addiction treatment typically involves numerous components, but most facilities overlook the holistic side of treatment.
By introducing holistic healing at Harmony, addicts are treated according to one of the Twelve Step Programme’s vital philosophies, namely that the physical, mental and spiritual components of each addict’s individual life are mutually connected.
This threefold disease concept of addiction is now manifested in all aspects of Harmony’s treatment model, most recently with the introduction of experts who practice Hot Stone Therapy, Reiki, Acupuncture, Drumming, as well as NIA Dance Technique.
Research indicates that these treatments augment recovery through inducing relaxation and enhancing theta-wave production and brain-wave synchronization.
This treatment produces pleasurable experiences, added awareness of preconscious dynamics, release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self. It also alleviates self-centeredness, isolation, and alienation, creating a sense of connectedness with self and others.
In addition, it provides a secular approach to accessing a higher power and applying spiritual perspectives.”
http://www.harmonygroup.co.za/why-choose-harmony/a-holistic-approach/
Gavin Mannion
August 15, 2014 at 20:22
holy crap… that explains a lot
CAE9872
August 15, 2014 at 18:36
OK I rarely want to rant and rave BUT FUCK ME that woman is …! Life today is not all fluffy clouds and white linen! Kids that play games learn problem solving, interaction, hand-eye co-ordination, etc.
Sure that doesn’t mean you let them play all day. And I agree kids must get out there and play in the cold winter snow (learn some balls man!), play with friends, poke each other with sticks, etc. All part of a good healthy upbringing.
I play more than an hour a day if I can and I am doing OK – my business is relatively successful, I don’t dribble when I interact with my clients or students, etc.
Moderation? People should try it! But don’t pretend the woes of mankind sit at gaming – so don’t turn this into a nanny state for your “research.”
Pieter Smal
August 16, 2014 at 07:53
I loves the commentaries on the SA Esport (“Booo…”). It really is silly. Go Lazygamer!
Unavengedavo
August 16, 2014 at 11:15
No wonder I couldn’t find it, it was on channel 404 O_o
Sk3tz0
August 16, 2014 at 14:17
Hello My name is Sk3tz0.. and I’m a Video Game Addict..
Kudo to Gavin for not chirpping that chicky kak in the second video….
konfab aka derp
August 17, 2014 at 15:10
What about book addiction, no-one ever complains about this.
Kensei Seraph
August 18, 2014 at 08:22
It’s not an addiction.
I can quit whenever, just let me finish this page.
konfab aka derp
August 18, 2014 at 16:24
One…more…page..
Ibrahim Chhaya
August 17, 2014 at 22:40
Did he say lazergaming.net?
Admiral Chief Assassin
August 18, 2014 at 07:51
pew pew
WhiteRock
August 18, 2014 at 07:40
So according to the MSSA we have to follow the right channels…is that channel through someone’s pocket?
WhiteRock
August 18, 2014 at 07:48
Man, the lady from that second interview is blowing bubbles…gaming can be addictive, yes, but the anti-social behaviour issues we are currently experiencing in the world today has a lot more to do with social media and the way kids are raised, than gaming(Facebook, Instagram, 9Gag, etc.), It feels as though she’s latched onto something and started ranting and now is the proverbial dog with a bone…
WhiteRock
August 18, 2014 at 07:51
Gavin – good point on active parenting!
Kensei Seraph
August 18, 2014 at 07:49
I was promised sub titles…
I guess this means Gavin hates everyone.
Kensei Seraph
August 18, 2014 at 09:00
I managed to watch 40 seconds of the 2nd video before giving up any hope of it being sensible.
Tidycpc
August 18, 2014 at 12:10
Gaming helped my decision to go into an IT career.