In a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Elon Musk challenged the traditional view of video games as mere entertainment, proposing their inclusion in medical training due to their cognitive benefits. Musk, a self-professed former top-ranked player in the game Quake, emphasized that gaming could sharpen mental acuity, enhance hand-eye coordination, and improve multitasking skills—traits that translate well into fields like surgery.
Reflecting on his own experience, Musk described gaming as a “mental calibration” exercise, where intense concentration on high-difficulty levels helps him gauge his cognitive state. “If I play a video game on Extreme difficulty… I have to concentrate fully,” Musk said. “If I…play badly…I’m like 10% below what I should be,” he added, suggesting that gaming performance could be a measure of one’s mental sharpness.
Rogan cited a study that found surgeons who regularly gamed made 32% fewer errors, completed tasks 24% faster, and scored 26% better than their non-gaming peers. Musk agreed wholeheartedly, suggesting, “If somebody’s epic at video games… I’d say their surgical skill is going to be very good.” He attributed this to the rapid reflexes, spatial awareness, and precise hand movements required in fast-paced games like Starcraft and Quake.
Musk even floated the idea of requiring gaming for future surgeons, humorously suggesting that a top-ranked gamer could receive extra consideration in medical training. “If somebody’s like top-ranked… and they’re a surgeon, I’d be like plus plus one plus two type of thing,” he joked, underscoring his belief in gaming’s potential as a training tool.
What do you think? Should gaming skills be considered in fields like medicine? Let us know in the comments!
