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Joe Rogan and a photo of a gaming cafe

Joe Rogan's "Video Games Are a Waste of Time"

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About

Video Games Are a Waste of Time is a phrase uttered by podcast host and comedian Joe Rogan during an episode of his podcast show Joe Rogan Experience. The statement became a subject of viral debate and memes online.

Origin

On July 24th, episode 1514 "Joe De Sena" of Joe Rogan Experience podcast show premiered on YouTube.[1] In the episode, Joe Rogan opines that video games are a waste of time due to not resulting in the development of applicable skills.



Video games are a real problem. They're a real problem. You know why? Because they're fucking fun. You do them, and they're real exciting, but you don't get anywhere. […]
You [could be] doing something exciting and fun, or you could just be playing fucking video games. Three years later you could just be that same kid, playing video games, waiting for the next whatever the fuck game is, next Xbox game to come out. You're gonna waste your time.

Spread

On July 26th, gaming news website Dexerto[2] posted an article "Joe Rogan says grinding games is “a waste of time” for most people," also tweeting[3] it. The tweet received over 13,600 retweets and 22,500 likes in two days (shown below).


DEXERTO.COM @Dexerto "Video games a real problem. You know why? Because they're f**king fun. You do them, and they're real exciting, but you don't get anywhere." Joe Rogan has described video games as a "waste of time" for 'most people': dexerto.com/gaming/joe-rog.. NIG HNT2 0:56 6M views ONTANA 9:10 AM - Jul 26, 2020 · TweetDeck

The post prompted a significant reaction online, with users responding to Joe Rogan and posting memes about his statement. For example, on July 26th, Twitter[4] user @JakeSucky posted a tweet that received over 290 retweets and 3,300 likes in one day (shown below, left). On the same day, Twitter[5] user @hellograndpa posted a tweet that received over 19,600 retweets and 201,600 likes in one day (shown below, right).


Jake Lucky @JakeSucky I don't think video games are a waste of time just because you aren't being paid or don't have a job in gaming. That's like saying hanging with your friends is a waste cause they ain't paying you. Tons of benefits I've found in my life from video games. 10:24 AM · Jul 26, 2020 · Twitter for iPhone BLM @hellograndpa joe rogan be like "video games are a waste of time" then post a 2 hour podcast debating if a gorilla or a tiger would win in a street fight 5:47 PM · Jul 26, 2020 · Twitter for iPhone

A number of posters pointed out that Joe Rogan himself used to be an avid Quake player and that his statement should not be taken at face value (example tweets shown below).[9][10]


Ellohime @EllohimeTwitch Replying to @Dexerto He got addicted to gaming during the Quake era. He loved it too much. For an ambitious dude, it took too much of his time. He's projecting himself here, that's all. It isn't a big commentary on the industry, but his personal experience. Hes spoken on it often. Its understandable. 2:37 PM · Jul 26, 2020 · Twitter for iPhone Ninja O @Ninja I just want to add/reiterate Joe Rogan is a gamer, hands down the dudes loves them and is pretty well informed on the competitive side/aspect of it. I just believe there is a huge gap of the last 5 years where gaming has catipulted into a different era and would love to explain

The reactons prompted more coverage of the viral debate in the following days, including articles by Barstool Sports,[6] Independent[7] and Complex.[8]

Various Examples


FABINO @KinoFabino Yea video games are a waste of time, what are you gonna do? JIYUNA @jiyunaJP Joe Rogan said video games are bad and a waste of time, but l've been playing video games for 35 years and I came out just fine. I even sleep in a racing car. Do you? 10:16 PM · Jul 26, 2020 · Twitter Web App Rod Breslau @Slasher · 22h Joe Rogan has been playing Quake for like 20 years and has brought on pros and devs as guests, his comments come from a place of being borderline addicted to video games more than anything. if you're gonna get mad at Joe Rogan there's way better stuff to choose from 227 27 1.2K 17.7K Rod Breslau @Slasher · 22h but if you ever wanna talk more about how gaming and esports can be a lucrative full time career when you're done competing or how it is to play Quake while on DMT hmu @joerogan @JamieVernon 25 27 68 2.5K Rod Breslau @Slasher from as recent as last year: "i've rekindled my Quake addiction. Quake is free to play and it might as well be sugar coated heroin mixed with cocaine and meth". about as reaffirming of an analogy as you can get from joe rogan joerogan o. Follow ... joerogan o so, against my better judgement we set up a computer game room in the studio and I've rekindled my @quake addiction. It's been awesome fun, but this game can seriously eat up your time. We've been playing equakechampions online. It's free to play and it might as well be sugar coated heroin mixed with cocaine and meth. Liked by aaronaceelam and 143,412 others MARCH 28. 2019 4:27 PM · Jul 26, 2020 · Twitter Web App
Yan2295 @Yan2295 Video games are just like any hobby or form of entertainment. They're not a waste if it's something you enjoy. Just like watching TV / movies, reading, creating art, etc. Don't let anyone tell you your hobby is a waste of time. Just have your priorities right, of course. adam ellis @moby_dickhead Joe Rogan says video games are a waste of time. Video games are an important part of my mental health. I play them when I need a break from work. They enrich my life the same way books and movies do. Video games aren't a waste of time. Telling someone how to enjoy their life is. 5:20 PM · Jul 26, 2020 · Twitter Web App >

Search Interest

External References

[1] YouTube – Joe Rogan Experience #1514 – Joe De Sena

[2] Dexerto – Joe Rogan says grinding games is “a waste of time” for most people

[3] Twitter – @Dexerto

[4] Twitter – @JakeSucky

[5] Twitter – @hellograndpa

[6] Barstrool Sports – The Gamers Are Not Happy With Joe Rogan Calling Video Games A Waste Of Time

[7] Independent – ‘You don’t get anywhere’: Joe Rogan says that playing video games is a ‘waste of time’

[8] Complex – Ninja Weighs In After Joe Rogan Says 'Video Games Are a Real Problem'

[9] Twitter – @Slasher

[10] Twitter – @EllohimeTwitch

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