Ok, that was a bit much.
Yserbius- “People like to call out video games, television, goyishe novels, and movies as bitul zman, but things like following sports or cell phone plans (which is an honest to Hashem hobby for many) are seen as “acceptable” time wasters”
Those things you mention are not bitul zman issues (in regards to the complaints against them). I stopped participating in all those things in my late teens because of shmiras einayim issues and pritzus. The exposure visually to very inappropriate behavior, immodest pics, nivul peh and even a lot of the violence (i used to love murder novels).
Refraining changed me so much, but it took a long time to get the visions and concepts out of my brain. And it really did resensitize me.
On the other hand, I was still a master at bitul zman. Those habits didn’t take as drastic a change until 9/11.
It’s very important to have down time. Nobody should question that. But i always took the approach that if i wanted to do something mind numbing, it shoulx be something with the option to stop in 25 minutes, 45 minutes etc. Sitting down at a gaming console or video that you know (if you’re honest with yourself) “commits” you to 90 plus minutes is volunteering a too big minimum.