I don't think I've ever been too terribly berated for playing. I mean, if I played for hours and hours at a time my parents would say it was enough. And I admit I could have had more of a social life in elementary and middle school, but I was quiet and introvertial. If anything, video games have helped develop my respect for the beautiful things humans can create, beautiful emotions they can conjure, the majesty of a well-placed song, and helped me keep my imagination vibrant and healthy even when I'm almost 20. Now, I have a ton of friends, I'm a very assertive and charismatic person, but I can say I've spent hours and hours playing my DS in the past week.
My point? I think playing Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt on my Nintendo Entertainment System when I was 4 or 5 was one of the most beneficial things I've done in my life, and I'll argue tooth and nail any Hillary Clinton or Jack Thompson who tries to tell me otherwise.
But I think I've never been berated because I consistently shot down arguments against me. I feel bad for younger people who have to take unnecessary degrading comments from elders about their chosen hobby and what they enjoy. I seriously wish somebody would organize some sort of coalition or make a petition to eradicate a small misunderstanding like this one. Granted, it's human nature to misunderstand and then to be hateful and prejudice, and I'd like to see all of it gone, but it's going to be a while.
In any case... Vive la Resistance!