Why Some People Are Better Manifesters Than Others (Blog)

[MidasGirl]

Great post. I like it when you write a unique, pointed article such as this one.

I also agree with the person above that said your results are your greatest feedback.

[Aybee]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

Let's put your blog idea to the test

YouTube - Career Aspirations of a Grad Student

Hello Manomanman,

It seemed to me that you didn't really believe that your goals were really possible, you want them, but don't believe you can really have them. In the beginning, also, to me it seemed like you were trying to rationalize why grad school is not good, almost as if you were trying to get permission for your dreams.

Good luck to you, I think you're already getting great feedback on your video. I can't wait to get feedback on my video ( Manifesting Health ).

[Manomanman]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I should start a side business doing YouTube readings.

I'm not picking up a vibrational alignment with this idea, but....you really SHOULD Steve. And I'm about to give you feedback on the feedback you gave me (returning the favor)

1. "You talked about both music and AI as if they were dreams, not reality." Ouch. I really really want them to be realities, but hearing you say that just sends the message home. As much as I'd like to think that I've made progress toward where I want to go, it's clear from your feedback that I haven't taken that "first step".

2. "I didn't see any mention about turning them into value for others." I left out specifics about how to extract $$$ in exchange for value, because I assumed that it's general knowledge (I referred to it as the Michael Masterson rockband plan). I've actually laid out the specifics, but I didn't want to make the video too long.
My feedback on this piece of feedback: if you're going to start a video feedback service for people, lay out some "what to include, what not to include" so that the feedback can be focused and directed on specific points. I'm actually really really confident in my ability to make money from my ideas, and I've never had problems getting the cash to fund my dreams and aspirations (until just recently, when I wanted to make them careers).

3. "I'm not seeing too much rockstar in your mannerisms though. I see more congruency on the AI side." That's a piece of feedback worth paying money for, especially if it went deeper. (But then again, Thom Yorke doesn't look like a rockstar, so I'm not totally worried ).

4. My overall reaction to the feedback: At first I was like, "Screw this I hate feedback. They're all just picking nits." And then, as usual, it got me thinking. In fact, just hearing the obvious (things I already consciously acknowledge) is enough to "jolt" me from my daydreamy/thinky state into a state of action. I.e. I DO NOT want to be thought of as a daydreamer - just knowing that people see me as a daydreamer makes me sick to my stomach (in a good way).

Steve, you're onto something.

P.S. You just added another career aspiration to my list.

P.S.S. On deeper reflection, I realized that what I talked about in my video are the very things I'm least confident about - because I knew I was getting feedback, I subconsciously left out the things I didn't need feedback on (such as being able to get the $$$ from my ideas). What I'm not confident about is how I want to spend my time. My biggest fear is getting into a repeat of grad school (losing creative control) - and you guys NAILED it immediately (in fact, everybody is commenting on how I sound negative at the start). This speaks to the importance of adlibbing your video like I did.

The most poignant feedback I could receive is: You're afraid of repeating the mistakes that got you into grad school, and you need to let go of that and fearlessly move ahead with your goal of creating wealth (something Erin would have picked up on in a phone conversation, no doubt).

P.S.S.S. Do you think Erin would be able to do a reading based on a 5-minute video like this, or does she need to actually talk to the person?

[Savage]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

2. "I didn't see any mention about turning them into value for others." I left out specifics about how to extract $$$ in exchange for value, because I assumed that it's general knowledge (I referred to it as the Michael Masterson rockband plan). I've actually laid out the specifics, but I didn't want to make the video too long.

I probably should have explained this part better. I wasn't looking for specifics of a financial action plan. I wouldn't expect to see that level of detail in a video like this.

What I was looking for was an emphasis on providing value for others as an integral part of your future vision.

Where do other human beings -- and the world at large -- fit into your plan? What's the larger vision that other people can get inspired by? When you talk about your goals, what is going to draw other people to care about them and want to help you?

I didn't see much there in this area. I think this is a really critical element that's missing from your plan. By itself it's enough to prevent the dream from becoming reality.

A lot of people miss the importance of this. If you tell everyone about your dreams, and they say, "Cool idea. Go for it," you're missing something key. A powerful vision is inclusive. It draws people in. When people hear it, they're often compelled to say, "Hey, I know someone who might be able to help you with that. Let me give you her contact info." At the very least, people will be more actively encouraging and less passive.

Among people who are very empowered, this sort of interaction happens all the time. I saw it endlessly at TLC in Bermuda. For example, after I introduced myself for about 90 seconds in front of the group during one of the dinners, people started coming up to me and offering ideas and resources that could help me. When another woman talked about her work with prisoners, people started pledging tens of thousands of dollars to help her make a documentary about it. They were eager to help raise awareness of her work. Why? Because the work was about much more than the woman behind it. It was about making the world better for others. That kind of vision makes people want to dive in and assist.

Notice that even now, with doing this video thing, you've been encouraging me to do more with it. Why?

Think about why this idea -- and its potential for expansion -- draws you in. Is it because it includes you? It's not just about me and my success. Other people are invited to share in the value. And this was just something I came up with spontaneously, not part of some grand cohesive vision. But if I really wanted to pursue it, it seems promising that it could become a sustainable pursuit all on its own.

When you imagine yourself as a rockstar, where are the fans? What do they gain from it? What's their role in all of this? How does listening to your music change their lives?

When you think about creating amazing AI breakthroughs, what effect will it have on humanity? It's not just about the technology. You'll be changing the world, won't you? Talk about how that will affect us. How will it make our lives better or different? You got close to this when you talked about walking side by side with robots. Go deeper with that. What will this do for us?

Notice that when Steve Jobs talks about Apple's newest gadgets, he includes YOU in the vision. He does discuss the technology and what Apple had to do to make it real, but then it's about what the tech will do for people and why anyone should care. And people do care because they're included. They pay a premium for Apple's gadgets because they believe Steve Jobs cares.

The specific details aren't that important. You don't need to have them all worked out. What matters most is that you're including the rest of the world in your vision. WE have to be in there somewhere. If you don't include us, it suggests to everyone that your vision is just about you, and people will withhold their help and assistance from you. Making your vision real will be a difficult uphill climb. It will feel like you're struggling against the current.

I know because that was one of the big mistakes I made during my first few years in business. I didn't understand how important it was to include other people in my goals. Initially it was all about having an outlet for my creative expression, and the customers were a necessary evil. It was only when I started including the customers in my vision that the business began to thrive. On a practical level that began with the decision to create a game where the emphasis was on intelligent problem solving instead of violence. That game was released less than 2 months after the Columbine shooting; customers loved it, it won some awards, and it sold very well. Design-wise the game also included a level editor, so players could make their own levels and share them. Some of those customers made amazing levels, which helped the game sell better. I also added a fan art section to the website, where players of all ages could share their artistic creations with others. Other people were an integral part of the business' success from then on.

Can you create a space in your vision for other people to be included? Can people suggest lyrics for your songs? Can we interact with your AI experiments online, if only for entertainment purposes?

Where are WE in your vision?

[Manomanman]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Where are WE in your vision?

To be 100% honest?

The fans are faceless masses (shadows) out there beneath the stage. I know they like my music because they are cheering loudly.

The people who will benefit from AI are consumers sitting in their houses watching TV and playing videogames who will buy all sorts of things made more cheaply by robotic hands. I know they like getting cheap stuff because they are humans.

I see myself in more of a distant role than an interactive role - the customers are out there, I sell them things. They give me feedback (through monetary and customer service channels) and I tweak my creations for them. It's STS/STO, but with the "o" far removed from my presence.
_________________

The rest of your post has sort of "blown me away" and it's going to take me a few days to just parse the whole thing...my neural circuits are overwhelmed with "realization" if that's the right word.

I feel like the interaction we're having DIRECTLY demonstrates the point you were trying to make in the blog post. It's the Steve Pavlina "object lesson" that goes beyond the impoverished text medium - it's much more tangible and powerful. If you were to make a followup blog post juxtaposing my video with the feedback loop that we created, that would be a powerful-ass blog post.

Does anybody care to give feedback as to whether you're getting something out of this exchange? Or is it just me who's learning some very powerful stuff?

[Manomanman]

YouTube - Career Aspirations of a Grad Student for anybody just tuning in

P.S. I'm tripping out on this whole "feedback" thing - I just taught my psychology students about how we use feedback to learn general patterns in the world. And then the same day, Steve makes this blog post. The vibrational alignments are too much

P.S.S. Does carefully making a video lead to more constructive feedback? I made my video on the first take, shooting from the hip. Perhaps we can get a person to carefully lay out a video, practice their points, organize it really well, and see how the feedback changes when a person is talking about their career aspirations in a more structured/planned way.

[Armen]

Yeah, I am certainly getting something out of this exchange. This is implementation of the blog post right here. Not only is Steve providing a lot of value specifically for you, but most of these points are relevant to others as well.

Steve's point about it being a slow uphill battle without the support of others is a key one. The person who includes others in their vision can have thousands on their side instead of just their own effort to further their vision. We would be hard-pressed to find a person who became an influential figure only by saying "support me" to others, without providing something of value for them.

[Bliss Sage]

I can't help but feel this blog post was somehow related to a comment or two that I made on a recent "Pavlina update" on Facebook.

For the record (to Steve) regarding the subject of the comments - I am categorically NOT looking for a man or any relationship with a man, so I am hardly distraught about not attracting one, or about the fact that some that I run into lie to me.

For the record, again, healing myself from the inside out is working. I have made great progress on a new major life goal, and have even found, when wishing for small things, without even putting some statement together, a week or so later, the answer to my yet unformed question or riddle comes.

Dismissing healing from the inside out (specifically mentioned towards the end of the article) as a way to purify the heart of your being, such that the LoA just begins to work for you without your even uttering an intention, seems a little rash.

Having said those things, I would really like to make a video too, not only to get feedback from Steve, but also to broaden the awareness of my current intention and even to put it out there in the event that someone who can and would like to be involved could contact me.

I have written my intention on my blog (along with a million other things), but succinctly speaking, I want to open a sort of spiritual healing sanctuary/free clinic in Algeria. I have learned reiki and am going to begin practicing it here in NYC, so I will be experienced when I open the clinic. To begin with, since I may be alone there at first providing healing etc., I will probably just begin with reiki and meditation techniques for the people there, and provide meditation rooms where they can learn to experience some peace and be alone with themselves.

I have recently come into contact with an Algerian online who has a lot of knowledge and contacts that I need, he believes in me and my vision, he is a lawyer and knows important things about the country that I don't know. He is instructing me on how to apply to obtain funding. He has even rushed me a little bit, saying that the government needs my clinic. He doesn't know in depth what reiki is, but I have explained the nature of the clinic and of reiki and I notice he has begun to seek out information on reiki on his own.

So you see, I have not continued to be hopeless at using the LoA. I just don't do it "deliberately" and using all of the tricks and instructions that people on this site talk about.

I am expecting that a bit over a year from now I should be prepared enough to begin thinking about procuring the actual building to house the clinic and going to Algeria. At the moment, I am focusing on learning and becoming confident in the services I will be providing, but I cannot even begin to fathom the amount of help I will need to pull this off. It is overwhelming.

Lucia

[Savage]

Originally Posted by Bliss Sage

I can't help but feel this blog post was somehow related to a comment or two that I made on a recent "Pavlina update" on Facebook.

Might be synchronous in a way, but I actually got the idea for this article from a recent conversation.

[Savage]

It would probably be best if people started new threads to request feedback on their videos. You'll probably get more feedback that way.

[Principle64]

I was on this site some time ago and am just "rediscovering" it. Glad you are still going strong! I have started my own blog, following the tips outlined in Jack Canfield's book, The Success Principles, but I find Steve's site to be a great help to me too.

I really enjoyed this article. Great stuff and yes I am going to go home and tape myself!

~Judy
Principle 64

[Lamusa]

Originally Posted by Aybee

Hello everyone! Long time lurker, first time poster here. I really liked the idea of creating a video of an area that you're working on, so I did that here:

Manifesting Health

I also did a video of an area that I am feeling better about, for contrast

Manifesting Language Fluency

Hey Aybee,

For some reason, I can't get past 42 seconds in your video because the video stops suddenly. It could just be my computer, though. Well, here are my comments based on watching what I was able to of this video:

You start off appearing petty strong and confident while introducing what your reason for the video is all about and once you talk about wanting to manifest better health regarding your weight, your vibration shifts. Your body sinks very subtly and there's a slight catch in your throat. I can feel some of the shame you might be feeling seeping through and can sense this has been quite a struggle for you, one that in some sense you are trying not to feel so hopeless about.

You might want to try raising your vibration by first appreciating the body you have, liking it, than loving it in any and all conditions - it's carried you this far and will continue to carry you where you want to go, including toward a more suitable weight for yourself. Learn to experience great pride in your body and any time you find yourself eating foods that you know don't serve it well, give your body even more love, in time your vibration will shift to where you always want to support the beauty and function of your body by feeding it tasty and nutritious foods.

I'll check out your other video a little later.

Best wishes,
lamusa

[Manomanman]

Originally Posted by Armen

Steve's point about it being a slow uphill battle without the support of others is a key one. The person who includes others in their vision can have thousands on their side instead of just their own effort to further their vision.

My video is a shining example of a person who has a vision that does not include others in it - they're shadows in the background. It's a subtle yet powerful point: if people are in our visions, then almost like magnets they are attracted to us, because they are in our vision.

If people are in the background of our vision, then they will remain there when we move out into the world and try to make our vision real.

Without people there supporting what we're doing, our success will always be limited by not having the unbelievable multiplicative power of "human support".

[Aybee]

Thanks for the feedback Lamusa. What you've said resonates with me as being true, particularly with respect to appreciating my body as it is, and feeling that it has been a struggle.

Manomanman, for me, I purposely didn't script or practice because I thought that might mask the projection of my true feelings. I believe that the first words that come out are the scripts that I unconsciously follow, and I didn't want to interfere with that by going into "speech mode".

[songwriter]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Running a business is one way to generate a lot of feedback too, albeit of a less personal nature. I remember how interesting it was when I first started distributing my own computer games, and feedback started coming in from people who played them. Better still was to invite friends over and watch them play the games in front of me. It was very revealing and helped me become a better game designer over the years. The highest quality feedback, however, usually came from experienced gamers or other game designers as opposed to casual players.

that's it, the greatest quality feedback in music comes from good musicians too. If not by music lovers, not by "average listeners".

When I do music, I can't be objective at all in what I'm doing. I can't see it like the music of a musician (that's how everyone see it) and it's very distorting.

I do a lot exactly that of recording myself and hearing the playback . Anyway what I hear is like seeing myself in the mirror, can I judge my looks? no, it's too subjective...

but I've learnt things through this, there's things I didn't like so I changed it, then I record again and I see the change.

so there is only some things remaining that I just can't judge, you're not sure if they're good or not, even if you listen cause you're to detached to yourself...
then you need others to listen to it and have their say

(hey McCartney needed Lennon, and viceversa, everyone needs it)

[AlwaysLearning]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

How did you increase the visibility there to make progress in that area?

I know a lot of people make big strides by having someone else watch them interact with the opposite sex.

With me, it came all at once when I finally got up the courage to ask a girl out. The way I went about it was actually hilariously bad, to the point where she must have thought I was doing that on purpose or something. Like, "Ummm... I could be your boyfriend... if you want..." Before, I'd always been hiding behind the old "I could get a girlfriend, I just don't want to commit to that right now" screen. Rejection opened my eyes to how much I'd been fooling myself.

As for improving once I was aware of the problem... joining the seduction community and then approaching hundreds of hot girls at clubs, probably helped

[Manomanman]

Originally Posted by AlwaysLearning

As for improving once I was aware of the problem... joining the seduction community and then approaching hundreds of hot girls at clubs, probably helped

The seduction community has a disempowering belief riding underneath it - something to the effect of, "Playing games with people is the most effective way to achieve long-lasting and happy relationships." Style's success is an exception to the seduction rule. I always felt retarded trying to use their techniques, and if I saw a video of myself doing it, I'd probably puke. Rooting out disempowering beliefs about relationships and the nature of reality is the only method to achieve happiness in any area of life.

[Trezker]

Steve said: "When you imagine yourself as a rockstar, where are the fans? What do they gain from it? What's their role in all of this? How does listening to your music change their lives?"

This is something I need answers to. Just replace music with computer games, programming libraries etc.
Currently I feel that games generally doesn't do much good for people, they're mostly time killers.
But at the same time I know gaming has been a part of humanity for thousands of years, it's deeply connected with our evolution. But I don't know how to explain why gaming is important and valuable, if I did it would give it purpose.

[Savage]

Originally Posted by Trezker

This is something I need answers to. Just replace music with computer games, programming libraries etc.
Currently I feel that games generally doesn't do much good for people, they're mostly time killers.
But at the same time I know gaming has been a part of humanity for thousands of years, it's deeply connected with our evolution. But I don't know how to explain why gaming is important and valuable, if I did it would give it purpose.

When I started asking those questions as a game developer, it gave me lots of ideas for ways I could better serve people.

I switched from arcade-style games to more cerebral puzzle games, so they gave people a mental challenge and were not a waste of time. I read research that demonstrated seniors could stave off mental degeneration by playing logic puzzle games regularly to keep their minds sharp. I promoted games based on their mental challenge.

I focused more on nonviolent games -- more thinking and creative problem-solving, less shooting.

I added a level editor to my games, so players could express their own creativity. I was utterly amazed by people's ingenuity. I later released a "gold" version of one of my games where most of the levels were created by fans. I provided free game tips and level design tips in my newsletter.

I added a forum to my website where players could post and exchange levels. Later I opened the forum to other game developers, so even my so-called competitors could come together to help each other grow their businesses.

I started writing articles and speaking at conferences to share what I learned with other developers.

I started publishing other developers' games to help them get more business and income and to introduce interesting new games to my customers.

Even though I wasn't focused on the money, my income went from barely scraping by to earning 5 figures a month as I did this. A focus on increasing your service really pays off.

[Manomanman]

Originally Posted by Trezker

Just replace music with computer games, programming libraries etc. Currently I feel that games generally doesn't do much good for people, they're mostly time killers.

A Theory of Fun for Game Design OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Download the presentation toward the bottom to get the basic idea. Games are an integral part of our evolution as conscious beings. And in fact, games are being used to solve big problems for mankind.

Game Design, Psychology, Flow, and Mastery - Blog - Games With a Purpose

I'm very aligned with game design, and have been designing games "on paper" since I was 7. But one of the biggest hangups I have right now is that the "patterns" in most games don't do much more than teach us how to: 1) aim (shooters), 2) reinforce acting like sheep in a herd (raiding in MMOs), 3) figure out the shortest way to get the rewards (i.e. most games). And games show no sign of evolving either - we'll continue to see clones of basic SNES-PS2 games until the end of time until there's a breakthrough. Most games (like Final Fantasy) fail to reward exploration (like every good NES game used to), and fail to reward delayed gratification (i.e. giving only incremental rewards), reinforcing the brat-mentality that is so pervasive in the West.

It is for these reasons that I won't go into game design until I've mastered true AI, because the most important underlying lesson in EVERY timeless game is the ability to out-think your opponent, and no opponents besides real-life players "think", and most real-life players aren't really thinkin that much (they're mostly "zerging"). By programming actual intelligence into a game (rather than scripted routines), players will derive unlimited amounts of entertainment from enemies that combat them in an "interesting" way. (It will be interesting, because the enemies will be motivated to stay alive, and will use clever tricks to defeat you - unless you're really good, you'll constantly find yourself ambushed, surrounded, sniped, cheap-shotted, and otherwise out of your comfort zone when fighting NPCs).

When I finally bring true AI to the world, games like chess and poker, which are currently considered "timeless" games, will eventually become "solvable" - people will learn the underlying patterns needed to win the games, and playing them will be like tic-tac-toe. (And a lot of the "problems" that exist in the world right now, such as pollution and economic recessions, will seem trivial and we'll think of ourselves as having left a Dark Age).

[Rockchick26]

I just have to say, this is dead on! I've always felt uncomfortable watching myself in videos, and now I know why. I must be vibrating 'uncomfortableness'. But even when I don't feel uncomfortable, I still radiate that!! Very eye opening.

Or maybe what is happening with me is like with a lot of people, how they hate hearing their own voices or they hate seeing themselves in videos. Does that mean all those people are vibrating uncomfortableness?

I always THINK I want to see myself in a video, and i'll be like 'where am I?' and then when I come onscreen, I get embarrassed and think 'oh God do I really come off like that?!' If I made a video of myself for feedback, I wouldn't even be able to watch it, i'd be so embarrassed! When I see videos of myself I come off as a silly awkward uncomfortable person desperate to be liked. But inside I feel completely different. That is SO wierd! I honestly thought I had good self esteem, does this sound like I still don't yet? Ugh...cuz if that's true then I don't know what to do.

[Savage]

I recently made some videos of myself talking about various goals and projects. When I watched the videos, it was easy to see which projects I didn't feel congruent pursuing and which ones I was obviously most passionate about.

So you can use this idea to see which goals and projects seem to resonate with you.

For example, if you're uncertain about whether or not to go to college -- or what to major in -- record yourself talking about each alternative. You'll learn a lot by watching the videos.

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by Rockchick26

I always THINK I want to see myself in a video, and i'll be like 'where am I?' and then when I come onscreen, I get embarrassed and think 'oh God do I really come off like that?!' If I made a video of myself for feedback, I wouldn't even be able to watch it, i'd be so embarrassed! When I see videos of myself I come off as a silly awkward uncomfortable person desperate to be liked. But inside I feel completely different. That is SO wierd! I honestly thought I had good self esteem, does this sound like I still don't yet? Ugh...cuz if that's true then I don't know what to do.

Stop judging yourself... start accepting yourself for who you are, uncomfortable and all.

Do you, honestly and completely, feel confident inside? Not just when you are alone at home, but also when you are with other people? Do you feel confident in yourself around your "boss"?

Because that is not what you are radiating in the written word here on the forum.. let alone how you would come across on a video...

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I recently made some videos of myself talking about various goals and projects. When I watched the videos, it was easy to see which projects I didn't feel congruent pursuing and which ones I was obviously most passionate about.

So, what do you do when you see what you're not congruent with?

I don't feel congruent with any of my choices right now, so I'm wondering.

[ellie]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I recently made some videos of myself talking about various goals and projects. When I watched the videos, it was easy to see which projects I didn't feel congruent pursuing and which ones I was obviously most passionate about.

So you can use this idea to see which goals and projects seem to resonate with you.

For example, if you're uncertain about whether or not to go to college -- or what to major in -- record yourself talking about each alternative. You'll learn a lot by watching the videos.

This is a great idea, even if one doesn't post it on youtube to view it back to one self is great tool.

Rockchick the more you record yourself, the more confident you will become.

[Manomanman]

Originally Posted by seeker5

So, what do you do when you see what you're not congruent with?

A lot. But without experience with it, you won't notice it. I think that's why Steve is holding his workshop. When I made my video, I thought I was congruent with my career paths, until Steve let me have it

I realized that there is an underlying "path" that I'm congruent with, and that I've been unable to see it because I've been focused on myself rather than being focused on "the world", which is what really drives my underlying desires and behavioral patterns.

For example, I've always been fascinated with conspiracy theories, economics, and politics, almost as much as I've been fascinated with psychology. I read lots and lots of non-fiction very effortlessly, but I will often stop reading once I get the "big picture". What force drives me to behave this way? I don't really consciously choose how I feel, I just feel and then behave, and vice versa.

It was not until Steve showed me the power of "we" that my meaning/purpose in life became ultimately clear. It became so clear that I've changed how I speak - instead of saying, "I'd like to do X,", I say, "I'm going to do X". I could do a remake of my original video, and Steve would probably say, "You're in alignment with your career choice now." I have a specific long-term goal that is VERY clear to me, that I'm totally aligned with, that I've had sitting "latent" in my head since I started grad school, I just never realized it.

[Savage]

Originally Posted by seeker5

So, what do you do when you see what you're not congruent with?

I don't feel congruent with any of my choices right now, so I'm wondering.

Admit the truth and pick something else that's a better fit for what you love. Keep making new videos until you create one that brings tears to your eyes when you watch it.

Alternatively, you can fill in the blank: If I had no fear, I would _____.

[Rockchick26]

Originally Posted by ssandra

Stop judging yourself... start accepting yourself for who you are, uncomfortable and all.

Do you, honestly and completely, feel confident inside? Not just when you are alone at home, but also when you are with other people? Do you feel confident in yourself around your "boss"?

Because that is not what you are radiating in the written word here on the forum.. let alone how you would come across on a video...

I do feel confident most of the time, with all my friends and family, of course, just not around those types of people that make me feel unwelcome and not good enough for them. But that has to be normal, I'm sure it would be hard to find somebody who enjoyed being around people like that. But I think whenever I've been videotaped, I got a bit nervous because I knew someone would be watching it and I didn't want to make a fool of myself. It's the same thing as how I can sing perfectly when I'm alone but if someone is hearing me sing, then I can't do it at all. So I could sit here and talk to myself and be fine but if I hit the record button and I KNEW somebody would be watching it, it would make me act insecure right off the bat, even if I was talking about something I was passionate about. That's why I love to write because it makes up for my inability to talk!

[Trezker]

So games are good at teaching and reinforcing patterns. Brain exercising.
Games teach people stuff at a subconscious level for the most part.
People don't play to learn, they play to have fun. Games are not fun if they aren't challenging or present unfamiliar patterns.

So if I want people to play and enjoy my games, the games have to be able to exercise their brain.

About violent games. I think there's good uses for them too. It provides aggressive people with an outlet where they can attack virtual objects without hurting any real people. I think this can prevent violent crimes.
But for peaceloving people, it can also be a concentration exercise. I'm sure everyone has use for that. (Steve plays Halo right?)

I started playing Quake Live now that it's available. (for Linux even) This is awesome because it allows me to challenge real people from all over the world and balances it to my skill level. I stopped playing Quake because the bots are too predictable and boring, and I couldn't play online because then I'd just have to fight people that are waay too good compared to me.

[Manomanman]

Originally Posted by Rockchick26

So I could sit here and talk to myself and be fine but if I hit the record button and I KNEW somebody would be watching it, it would make me act insecure right off the bat, even if I was talking about something I was passionate about. That's why I love to write because it makes up for my inability to talk!

You shouldn't be having this problem. Listen to Steve Pavlina podcast #8 and then #16. Steve Pavlina Audio