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Volunteers help grow the game

Posted By: Michael Petch
Date: Friday, 1 July 2011, at 5:29 a.m.

In Response To: Volunteers help grow the game (Bob Koca)

Not at all. You can teach such games to younger children, but do so in a more critical fashion. I would make sure that such games (whether strategic or not) are taught - but the idea of gamesmanship, fun, social interaction are key in how I would teach young kids.

Strategy games are great mental and teaching tools. But if those teaching the kids don't have the same values I believe in then I'd rather not have them being taught in a public institution funded by my own tax dollars. If a grade school teacher happened to be an expert backgammon player then at least I know the teacher is more accountable to providing proper age appropriate instruction than people off the street.

Do I think that grizzled veterans who play backgammon for money should go into schools and teach? Nope. Before someone says I am talking about Phil here - I'm not! I'm not even sure Phil is teaching them directly(So it is a generalization). I would take exception to having people with a gambling background teaching my children. I'd question the motivation of why they want to teach young children.

If I had kids and I could opt in for having them learn BG or Poker at school I wouldn't consent to it. I would be concerned that it would be misrepresented, and not coincide with the values I hold. I would teach my kids myself, and do so making sure they understand the value of the game from a social aspect. The side effect would be that the kids would also improve their critical thinking skills.

I don't know about elsewhere but gambling is a huge social problem where I am. No I don't live in Vegas, but I do live in one of the wealthier regions of North America where it is a serious problem.

My viewpoint is definitely biased by culture, location, and upbringing. I am not telling people I am right and they are wrong on this issue. I am expressing concerns that ignoring those that may oppose their viewpoint is not a good long term strategy.

Messages In This Thread

• Volunteers help grow the game
  Phil Simborg -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 1:24 a.m.
  • Volunteers help grow the game
    Michael Petch -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 3:23 a.m.
    • Volunteers help grow the game
      rory -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 3:39 a.m.
      • Volunteers help grow the game
        rory -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 3:41 a.m.
        • Volunteers help grow the game
          Michael Petch -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 3:55 a.m.
          • Volunteers help grow the game
            Rich Munitz -- Sunday, 3 July 2011, at 2:59 p.m.
        • Volunteers help grow the game
          Michael Petch -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 4:32 a.m.
          • Volunteers help grow the game
            Bob Koca -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 4:49 a.m.
            • Volunteers help grow the game
              Michael Petch -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 5:29 a.m.
          • Volunteers help grow the game
            Tom Keith -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 1:20 p.m.
            • Volunteers help grow the game
              Michael Petch -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 10:27 p.m.
              • Volunteers help grow the game
                Joe Russell -- Saturday, 2 July 2011, at 1:52 a.m.
      • Volunteers help grow the game
        Chiva Tafazzoli -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 8:38 a.m.
        • Volunteers help grow the game
          Stick -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 8:45 a.m.
          • Volunteers help grow the game
            Michael Petch -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 8:50 a.m.
          • Volunteers help grow the game
            Chiva Tafazzoli -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 6:42 p.m.
  • Volunteers help grow the game
    Vincent Foley -- Friday, 1 July 2011, at 1:55 p.m.
  • Volunteers help grow the game
    Michael Petch -- Saturday, 2 July 2011, at 4:52 a.m.
    • Volunteers help grow the game
      Steve Mellen -- Saturday, 2 July 2011, at 6:45 a.m.
      • Responded to Privately *NM*
        Michael Petch -- Saturday, 2 July 2011, at 8:26 a.m.
    • Volunteers help grow the game
      Bob Koca -- Saturday, 2 July 2011, at 3:52 p.m.
  • Volunteers help grow the game
    rew -- Saturday, 2 July 2011, at 7:18 p.m.
  • "maybe some gambling"
    mtuhtan -- Monday, 4 July 2011, at 6:42 a.m.