Something I said in some correspondence with a friend:
In the traditional media, like radio, tv, movies, even books to an extent, you’re constantly admiring the accomplishments or failures of OTHER PEOPLE. Be it the abstract watching of a story, to the literal drooling over celebrities, or watching the academy awards.
With Gaming, you are admiring the accomplishments (and failures) of YOURSELF, be it a character you control, or a few pixels on the screen, whatever successes or failures you have are ultimately (usually?) your fault. You are not the most powerful person in the world when you watch television.
While you could debate that you’re not always accomplishing something/anything by gaming, I’d consider it more mentally healthy then being constantly envious.
