Chess is played with the mind, and all evidence suggests that using our minds in such a way keeps our minds young, and playing chess brings great pleasure, which in turn keeps us healthy...more than just a game I would say!
According to my psychologist "Chess is just a game"
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Monopoly is just a game. Chess is a lifestyle.
Eo____ wrote:
I don't have mental problems or anything of like that but.....I felt like smashing her in the face...
lol. That sounds like an entirely appropriate response...
But it is a game...a sport...a past time...a life long passion...however you see it, it does not change what it is.
You seem to have taken what was said as an insult, without clearly indicating what was said, and the context in which it was said. You also seemed to suggest that she should have been impressed with you because of the time you invest in chess. Maybe "how" she said it was wrong...maybe there was something in what she said, that you can take and ponder on.
Basketball, football, tennis, checkers, monopoly, chess...they are all "games"...some of their players have made them into careers, and have made a living out of them...but for the majority of these "game players", this is something we love to do...but there are other facets to our lives...I think this is what she was trying to get at...yes we love this sport...but will it pay my bills? Will it provide materially and companionship? Will it provide for all my other needs? I think not...and maybe this is what she was getting at...we need chess in our lives, but there has to be a balance in order for to grow and develop.
Well, everything is what it is -- you can use the same reasoning to dismiss almost anything.
Different people have different passions in their life and it's rude to dismiss yours the way she did.
Your mom is a game!
But in all seriousness, I think that remarks like that disparage the amount of work and time that many players (and professionals!) put in. For example, football is "just a game", yet multi-million dollar contracts are signed over it. If you went up to a professional football player and he talked about how much time he spent playing football (american football, sorry, should have clarified!) and the amount of time he spent practicing, and you dismissively told him it was just a game, how good would he feel?
Just tell them you don't appreciate the disrespect that is given to your time or work.
Sure, & "life is but a dream."
I don't waste time on reductivist viewpoints... take that attitude far enough, and it becomes clear that all passion is stupid.
"Chess is not a matter of life and death: it's more important than that."
The internet screens any sarcasm out of your words, but I am pretty sure you are joking right....
you aren't playing chess, chess is playing with you.
I blame the Fibonacci opening.
Tell her psychology is crap!
I'd take exception at the word "just".
Chess_Enigma wrote:
The internet screens any sarcasm out of your words, but I am pretty sure you are joking right....
... if you seriously wanted to "smash her in the face" and are considering ending a friendship because that person doesn't show proper deference to your hobby, you need to consider seeing a psychologist for real. Everyone has a right to their opinion, and she has no more obligation to appreciate the game of chess the way you do than she has the right to insist that you take up knitting or yoga. Although those things may be more theraputic.
hsbgowd wrote:
Tell her psychology is crap!
Love the idea!
Eo____ wrote:
I don't have mental problems or anything of like that but a few months ago I wasn't feeling well and talked to a friend of a friend who happens to be a licensed psychologist. I told her about my passion for Chess and the number of hours a day I spend playing Chess and reading about Chess. She seemed unimpressed and dismissed me with the following remark: "Chess is just a game." At that moment I felt like smashing her in the face not only because she insulted me but also because she overlooked the intellectual aspect of the "game" and lowered it to the level of monopoly and checkers. I have no doubt I won't be talking to that person ever again, but if another person tells me that "Chess is just a game", what's a good, witty comeback?
Tell her that human relationships are just a game, and often fatal.
uhohspaghettio wrote:
I think OP really may have issues because chess is just a game. At best it's a trivial pursuit that makes us feel good and awakens our spirits, at worst it's a complete nonsense and waste of human life.
What makes chess any more trivial than anything else in life?
I don't see how a chess player can compare to someone like a doctor or nurse in terms of significance.
The study of math, materials, etcetera, results in bridges and buildings.
Chess is trivial and in itself produces little for the world, and this coming from someone most will recognize as a fan of players and of chess culture and history.
Despite the incredible requirements of being a top player, an engineer half as good doing something half as hard is much more useful to the world.
I know something can be said about the importance of artists in our world (from cave paintings on, we value such things) but maybe I'll wait for someone to offer an opinion and tie it into chess.
I see a shrink for treatment of a sleep disorder. Without some kind of medication, I wake up about every 20 minutes or so. But, being a psychiatrist, she asks many questions. Whenever I mention chess, which is a big part of my life right now...she always gives a little laugh...the same laugh my older sister used to give me when as a boy I would tell her something she considered totally childish.
I understand the OP's reaction. To have such a large part of your time dismissed with a chuckle and a remark about how unimportant it is....well, it is kind of irritating.
Checkers is no less intellectually challenging than chess. More options makes the game harder, not easier.