Video Games

[Digby]

I guess maybe im Guilty of not paying attention to every thing my kids do .

The other day I walked in a room where my Son was playing a video Game . I COULD NOT BELEAVE WHAT I SAW .

The game was he was playing the bad guy and just shooting and killing as many innocent people as possible .

Is this world really that SICK ?

To make something like that for Kids to play .

What kind of Sick Bas---ds Is making these Games?

[Black Dog]

Sick rich bastards.

I like video games, even the ultraviolent ones. But then, I'm old enough to know the difference between reality and fantasy.

[The Terrible Sweal]

Here is where I think an important distinction might be drawn. Concerned People Everywhere may find things to object to in modern video games. Few do, but they easily could, contain explicit sex. Many contain explicit representations of violence which the players observe, and engage in virtually. Yokay. People too young for this stuff could be literally psychologically shocked by it if they come upon it unaware. Hence: age restrictions.

Now let's say you're not worried that a teenager is going to be shocked by fake gore. What about the ethical experience of playing the bad guy vs. playing the good guy in a game?

[Hugo]

The other day I walked in a room where my Son was playing a video Game . I COULD NOT BELEAVE WHAT I SAW... Is this world really that SICK ? To make something like that for Kids to play .

So you're a bad parent. My kids have consoles and a computer and they all sit in the rec room. They don't play if neither my wife nor I are there to observe them. What you are doing is taking your failure as a parent and blaming it on the videogames industry.

Take an analogy. Let's say you left a bottle of 200 aspirin open on a table. Your kid happened upon them and took them all, and died. Now, aspirin is dangerous, especially in that quantity. But is it the fault of the drug company that your kid died? Or is it your fault?

[Argus]

I guess maybe im Guilty of not paying attention to every thing my kids do .

The other day I walked in a room where my Son was playing a video Game . I COULD NOT BELEAVE WHAT I SAW .

The game was he was playing the bad guy and just shooting and killing as many innocent people as possible .

Is this world really that SICK ?

To make something like that for Kids to play .

What kind of Sick Bas---ds Is making these Games?

The average age of video gamers now is 28. Games like Grand Theft Auto (which I play) aren't made for kids. They're made for adults to just screw around and have fun. And if you can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality then video games are really a very small part of your problem.

[caesar]

I enjoyed those types of video games; Doom and Wolfenstein. They were fun for a while. But I am an old gal and I do know the difference between fantasy and reality. Even Bugs bunny, the road runner, and Elmer Fudd display violence; just watch what games the kids get to play.

[Slavik44]

The other day I walked in a room where my Son was playing a video Game . I COULD NOT BELEAVE WHAT I SAW... Is this world really that SICK ? To make something like that for Kids to play .

So you're a bad parent. My kids have consoles and a computer and they all sit in the rec room. They don't play if neither my wife nor I are there to observe them. What you are doing is taking your failure as a parent and blaming it on the videogames industry.

Take an analogy. Let's say you left a bottle of 200 aspirin open on a table. Your kid happened upon them and took them all, and died. Now, aspirin is dangerous, especially in that quantity. But is it the fault of the drug company that your kid died? Or is it your fault?

except for maybe the bad parent part, this is probabley one of the few times in my life I agree with Hugo.

[Digby]

Hugo My Son is 16 going on 17 in a few months any Ideas how long i should Watch what games he plays ?

It was not his game either ,a deranged friend of his from down the road brought it here . I think the other kid has been extreemly affected by these Games he plays already . A few months back he broke in a cottage and completly distroyed it ,no motive what so ever . tore the cottage apart to just studs left in the walls i think it was like 25,000 dollars dammage to a complete strangers cottage and no motive what so ever , i guess he called it the distruction mode .Nobody can even figgure in the slightest why he done it .

I always said some never grow up . So if you got an adult with a mind of a child should we let him Kill people on video games? Or should we just let our adults with the mind of grown ups Kill innocent people in their leisure time on their tv ?

Now whats wrong with me i can't be normal I got no lust what so ever to shoot innocent people in my games?

[lammiBC]

My Son is 16 going on 17 in a few months any Ideas how long i should Watch what games he plays ?

Unless he has mental problems your son is old enough to play these games. Just take an active interest in what he is doing, and watch out for changes in his behaviour. I bet that will be much more effective than pissing your son off by banning him from the games that most of his peers are playing.

It was not his game either ,a deranged friend of his from down the road brought it here . I think the other kid has been extreemly affected by these Games he plays already . A few months back he broke in a cottage and completly distroyed it ,no motive what so ever . tore the cottage apart to just studs left in the walls i think it was like 25,000 dollars dammage to a complete strangers cottage and no motive what so ever , i guess he called it the distruction mode .Nobody can even figgure in the slightest why he done it .

It's way too easy to blame video games for youth violence. We see this with music and TV too. (Remember people blaming Marilyn Manson for the Comlumbine Shootings?) Parents and politicians like to blame these mediums for the violence when it is actually caused by a poor upbringing and in many cases, peer alienation.

Youth violence is a major societal problem, one that requires real solutions. Scapegoating modern media is a poor start.

[Digby]

I beleave the power of advertiseing is a proven fact ,if companies will pay thousands just for brief perriods of time to inject thoughts in our minds . Then we know the human mind can be affected to take a different course with a little exposure to the way they want us to think .

I just don't know how a tv ad could be very powerfull even to adult minds . But the TV program , The Movies ,the video games ,the music are suppose to be harmless .

To me it just don't make sence .

I honestly beleave we are being brainwashed to be a violent culture .

[PocketRocket]

    I  think  the other kid has been extreemly affected  by  these Games he plays already . A few months back  he broke in a cottage  and completly distroyed it  ,no motive what so ever . tore the cottage  apart to just studs left in the walls  i think it was  like 25,000 dollars  dammage to  a complete  strangers cottage  and no motive  what so ever  , i guess  he called it the distruction mode .Nobody can even figgure in the slightest why he done it .

DIGBY: This is nothing new. I'm 45 years old. I recall when I was about 10 years old, a couple kids in the area who would smash windows in vacant houses, houses that were for sale, not abandoned buildings. They would often break into these houses and totally trash the place. Some people are simply jerks, and get some wierd sort of thrill out of breaking things. The same kids would often go around collecting empty botles, just so they could take them out to old vacant lots and smash them.

What is the great thrill with smashing bottles???

We can hardly blame video games or rock music or whatever the trend of the week is for destructive behaviour.

  I always  said some never grow up .  So if you got an adult with a mind  of a child  should  we let him  Kill people on video  games?  Or should we just let our adults with the mind of grown ups  Kill  innocent people  in their leisure  time on their tv ? 

I may be one of those who never grows up, I just accept my responsibilities like an adult. I am a big kid at heart, and enjoy a lot of activities which many would claim are the domain of kids. I like video games, cartoons, tobogganing, and just general mucking about. In the summer, I still run through the spray from the garden hose. And, I respect the rights and property of others. Nothing wrong with staying young at heart.

To me, there is little difference between shooting people in a video game, or playing Cowboys and Indians, as we all used to do when we were kids. In both cases, you are "killing" other people in your imagination. "Cowboys and Indians" may, in fact, be more harmful, as you are aiming your toy gun at a real person rather than an image on a screen. This is, of course, hypothetical, as I don't really believe either of these activities to be "responsible" for violence in society.

Now whats  wrong with me  i can't be normal  I got no lust  what so ever to shoot  innocent people in my games? 

Nothing wrong with you, pal. A game of cribbage can be more entertaining than any video game, especially if you're playing the game in the company of someone interesting. Or pretty. Not all games are for all people. After all, if we all liked the same music, we'd only need to have one song. Embrace the variety of life. Everyone is different, as it should be.

As for your kid, cut him some slack. As long as he's not participating in destructive or rude behaviour, let him be. The best thing for a kid is a good example from the parent. You and I may not agree on all points, but you seem to be a stand-up kind of guy. If the kid takes after you, he'll be a good, solid citizen, someone you can be proud of.

[caesar]

It was not his game either ,a deranged friend of his from down the road brought it here . I think the other kid has been extreemly affected by these Games he plays already . A few months back he broke in a cottage and completly distroyed it ,no motive what so ever . tore the cottage apart to just studs left in the walls i think it was like 25,000 dollars dammage to a complete strangers cottage and no motive what so ever , i guess he called it the distruction mode .Nobody can even figgure in the slightest why he done it .

I would be more concerned with the people he hangs out with than a video game. The kid down the street has problems that started from more than video games. He probably has parents that have been too lax with him. Sounds like he is screaming for attention.

[Tawasakm]

It is interesting to note that after playing Grant Theft Auto San Andreas I had to overcome an urge while driving in real life to speed down rail tracks, run over pedestrians, fire up my non-existent nitros, ram other cars, fire randomly at people and cars and, last but not least, to steal other vehicles.

I better avoid playing Jedi Starfighter or I will end up attempting take off in my car.

[The Terrible Sweal]

It was not  his game either  ,a  deranged  friend  of his from down the road  brought it here .  I  think  the other kid has been extreemly affected  by  these Games he plays already . A few months back  he broke in a cottage  and completly distroyed it  ,no motive what so ever . tore the cottage  apart to just studs left in the walls  i think it was  like 25,000 dollars  dammage to  a complete  strangers cottage  and no motive  what so ever  , i guess  he called it the distruction mode .Nobody can even figgure in the slightest why he done it .

There may not be a reason, but I'll bet there is an explanation.

[kimmy]

It is interesting to note that after playing Grant Theft Auto San Andreas I had to overcome an urge while driving in real life to speed down rail tracks, run over pedestrians, fire up my non-existent nitros, ram other cars, fire randomly at people and cars and, last but not least, to steal other vehicles.

I better avoid playing Jedi Starfighter or I will end up attempting take off in my car.

That's quite a coincidence. After playing "Knights of the Old Republic," I found myself searching the internet for instructions on building a lightsabre, and attempting to "force-wave" annoying junior highschool kids out of my way on the bus.

-kimmy

[Slavik44]

It is interesting to note that after playing Grant Theft Auto San Andreas I had to overcome an urge while driving in real life to speed down rail tracks, run over pedestrians, fire up my non-existent nitros, ram other cars, fire randomly at people and cars and, last but not least, to steal other vehicles.

I better avoid playing Jedi Starfighter or I will end up attempting take off in my car.

That's quite a coincidence. After playing "Knights of the Old Republic," I found myself searching the internet for instructions on building a lightsabre, and attempting to "force-wave" annoying junior highschool kids out of my way on the bus.

-kimmy

God, after I played the sims I started to notice when the dam trash need to be taken out....you people are lucky.

[PocketRocket]

You think you have it bad??? After playing "Centipede", I developed an irresistable appetite for.....oh never mind.

[RB]

I have to admit I don't have much practice on these video games - I mean this "E" symbol for everyone, would that indicate that perhaps there is less violence, just how to capture more bling bling

The Japanese have really captured the market of the teens

[Hugo]

Hugo My Son is 16 going on 17 in a few months any Ideas how long i should Watch what games he plays ?

I would suggest that when your son is old enough to have his own income, mature enough to hold down a job, and independent enough to take himself down to the store to buy these games, he's mature enough to play them.

If he isn't buying these games with his own income, that means you're supplying them or allowing them to be supplied to him. Either way, you are the enabler.

It was not his game either ,a deranged friend of his from down the road brought it here .

Did this "deranged friend" break into your house and force your son to play this videogame? Or did you allow him in as a guest?

It's way too easy to blame video games for youth violence. We see this with music and TV too.

We see this with everything. Once upon a time the bikini was supposed to be the downfall of our society. Clark Gable spoke an absolutely shocking line in Gone With The Wind that had people outraged, calling for the film to be banned, that it was a bad influence on youth, etc. A hundred years ago, a woman exposing her ankle in public would be a shocking display of public indecency sure to incite lewd acts, rape and so forth.

But we have bikinis, and miniskirts, and swearing, and we also seem to have less social problems than the Victorians did. In fact, it seems that the more women look like sex objects, the less they are treated like sex objects. Victorians would not allow women to work or vote. They didn't even grant them legal personhood. The joke that women only have legs to walk from the kitchen to the bedroom was literally true back then.

And not only do we have less violent crime than Victorians, we also spend a lot less time going overseas to murder and enslave people with spears and different-coloured skin.

I beleave the power of advertiseing is a proven fact ,if companies will pay thousands just for brief perriods of time to inject thoughts in our minds .

Actually, countless studies have shown that advertising is primarily informative. It doesn't make sense to try and "brainwash" people since attempting to convince people that they want something they really don't is a far larger gamble in business than trying to find out what they really want, and then making it.

I honestly beleave we are being brainwashed to be a violent culture .

We used to be a lot more violent. Not only did we have more crime in the past, we used the death penalty a lot more. Go back three or more centuries and you find the death penalty being used for almost everything - in England, you could be hanged for impersonating a veteran or loitering on London Bridge. It is also a fact that Western nations, who are freer with speech and press and allow these things you decry, are a lot less warlike and oppressive than other nations where censorship is prevalent.

I recall when I was about 10 years old, a couple kids in the area who would smash windows in vacant houses, houses that were for sale, not abandoned buildings.

Yes, and two hundred years ago boys of that age (and not much older) would be able to join the army and shoot foreigners. Fegin's gang of cutthroat robber children in Oliver Twist was not a wild fantasy.

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear Hugo,

Actually, countless studies have shown that advertising is primarily informative. It doesn't make sense to try and "brainwash" people since attempting to convince people that they want something they really don't is a far larger gamble in business than trying to find out what they really want, and then making it.

This is only partly true. Or, at least, it is more true for markets than it is for marketing.

I don't watch television anymore, but years ago there was a tire manufacturer that used the slogan.."Because there is so much riding on your tires". The ad showed a happy, giggling baby in a diaper on a tire. Now, the underlying message was that 'your baby might die if you don't buy our brand'. It wasn't 'you might spill your coffee', or 'you might not be able to avoid that helpless gopher', they went right for the throat, 'your newborn infant, probably more valuable to you than your own life, is in jeopardy if you buy a competitor's product, and what kind of a parent would you be if you gambled your infant's life on a product that we're telling you is inferior to ours'?

The notion of advertising is theoretically to make consumers aware that your product exists, sure, but what would be the point of stopping there?

[Hugo]

I don't watch television anymore, but years ago there was a tire manufacturer that used the slogan.."Because there is so much riding on your tires".

And did you buy the tires? No? Well, then what is your point? That you are smarter than other people and, in your wisdom, should make their choices for them, because they, in their stupidity, might buy these tires? That has been the argument of every tyrant in history. Just open your gas-chambers for business now.

The notion of advertising is theoretically to make consumers aware that your product exists, sure, but what would be the point of stopping there?

Because, as I have said before, it is far easier to find out what consumers really want and try to make it for them, than to make something they really don't want and try to brainwash them into buying it. And that is what entrepreneurship is all about: making the most money for the least investment (effort).

[moderateamericain]

same thing i say about the old gun saying "guns dont kill people, stupid people with guns kill people" i dont believe people should be able to divorce there actions from the consequences of there actions by blaming it on something else.

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear Hugo,

And that is what entrepreneurship is all about: making the most money for the least investment (effort).

I agree, but the vast bulk of good and services purchased in North America aren't proffered by entrepreneurs, but by large, well established corporations or conglomerates.

That has been the argument of every tyrant in history. Just open your gas-chambers for business now.

That is quite the stark contrast, either allow misleading and coercive advertising or gas everybody. Is the sky in your world black and white too? Not sure who you think I'd like to gas, the miscreant advertisers or the hapless 'sheeple' consumers. I'd go with the dishonest advertisers, every time.

[The Terrible Sweal]

same thing i say about the old gun saying "guns dont kill people, stupid people with guns kill people"  i dont believe people should be able to divorce there actions from the consequences of there actions by blaming it on something else.

Guns don't kill people, bullets kill people. Why? Why are bullets so mean to people?

[Hugo]

I agree, but the vast bulk of good and services purchased in North America aren't proffered by entrepreneurs, but by large, well established corporations or conglomerates.

What is your point - that large, well-established corporations don't try to make the most money for the least investment because they are not entrepreneurs?

That is quite the stark contrast, either allow misleading and coercive advertising or gas everybody. Is the sky in your world black and white too? Not sure who you think I'd like to gas, the miscreant advertisers or the hapless 'sheeple' consumers. I'd go with the dishonest advertisers, every time.

If you are going to declare that you are smarter than other people and your want-needs should therefore supersede theirs (e.g. you don't think they'll make the 'right' choices in their purchases, so you want to restrict the information available to them), then at some point your goals are going to come into conflict with theirs. After all, you need no persuasion to get people to do what they want to do, only what they don't want to.

At that point, you can either back down (which makes you a pretty lousy paternalist), or you can use force to make them comply (gas chambers).