@Rob

1.) Read last paragraph. Slowly. Come back when finished.

2.) TL;DR last paragraph - he DOESN'T blame the game - just like I don't after getting over my problems with the game.

See, when I first read your comments, I thought you were completely and utterly cruel and ignorant. I then took a little time to get over the initial emotion and feeling of personal attack (/nerdrage), and I realized you had a point. Anything that brings up the fact that WoW has "ruined" lives ends up implying that the author/creator/person blames the game. I've seen it, and I've raged against it. But when I realized WoW was a problem for me, I quickly realized I raged against it because I didn't want to admit my own problems.

(NOTE: This is not implying you or any others who have an opinion against the director have a problem with the game, as you state that you have time management, love life, job, etc.)

He found out that WoW was a problem for him, and he's been able to move on from it. I'm still working on it. But "WoW addictions" are legitimate. Just like any other addictions. Just because there is no drug component doesn't mean our brain chemistry works in a way to facilitate it. WoW filled a void created by said problem - therefore it caused the continuation of said problem. McDonald's doesn't make people fat, but the food and desire for it cause people to come back (and McDonalds wasn't going to turn away more money).

Does that mean McDonalds is the Devil Incarnate? No. Does this make WoW the Anti-Christ? No. Should we riot against these companies and tear them down? No. Should we try to help one another as we deal with the brain chemistry imbalances of our minds, which is something scientists are still trying to figure out? Yes.

In your first post, you say "Its time management - its an aspect of growing up." Do you also tell people who are clinically depressed (which is different from being simply depressed/sad) to just "get over it - its an aspect of growing up"? No. You can't "will away" depression. It takes time, patience, therapy, and general understanding that you may not get over it (also admittance of a problem from the patient). Its a chronic illness like any other. And that line of thinking that you said was a reason why I STAYED depressed - telling myself its just a time management thing - I just need to grow up.

For you - it worked. I'm happy that you are successful and happy. For others, like myself, - they need a bit more help. However, when was it "easy" for a normal person to admit their own problems, go to a therapist, and get the help they need? With attitudes implied by your statement, very hard.

Its easier to condemn a man who is going through something you've never experienced. Its also easy to condemn a man who is having trouble with something you can easily manage. Its hard to accept differences between people, and reason out that we need to count our blessings and help our fellow man/woman. I hope you maybe understand and agree, but then again, you are entitled to your opinions. And my arguments don't always flow right. But maybe you can read through this and understand my problem with what you said, without going away thinking its an attack. And maybe we can all go away, working towards a better world instead of hoping for one. But maybe that's my idealism and optomism clouding my realism and cynicism.