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Last edited Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:15 PM - Edit history (1)
Yes, I am a Gamer...
but it does not mean I am a mass people killer
I will not support any kind of censorship on Video Games...
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)TDale313
(7,820 posts)Yes, I'm a gamer too (although not really a fan of first person shooter games.)
Ratings are fine, but censorship would be a mistake. And I think it's totally misguided to blame these acts of violence on games or movies.
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)"but it does not mean I am not a mass people killer"
BarackTheVote
(938 posts)For those of you living under a rock for the last decade, video games have evolved into a full-fledged art-form, and they deserve the same respect and protection as any other art! The video game industry has a rating system and as far as I've seen, it's even more accurate than the MPAA ratings on movies. It's up to parents to keep their kids from inappropriately mature video games, or at least to put them in the correct context. But no government-imposed censorship should be tolerated in art!
white_wolf
(6,238 posts)nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)For the record, pry from my cold dead hands...you might to think about that phrase though.
Livluvgrow
(377 posts)is the opposite of the pbs article. Who is right?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100920094620.htm
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)The studies that have found any linkage have been taken to task for methodology. And if they were correct. Tell me, why are Japan and South Korea not running in rivers of blood? FYI you think grand theft auto is violent...(and it is) you have not seen some South Korean tittles. .
Livluvgrow
(377 posts)first thing I noticed was the 2002 date cited in the study. Graphics, realism, and audio of the games have changed immensely since then. Much better for the end user obviously and probably much more detrimental to a psychotic mind. Will we ever find out if there is a correlation to realism and violence amongst psychotics from the responses here probably not. People would rather do nothing it seems.
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)Quick, what is the death rate from violent crime in Japan and Korea? You think our tittles are violent, you have not lived.
People have been looking for this connection since Columbine. My god, Harris and Kleebold played Battletech...oh my...
In fact, it goes much farther back, in the 1950s the exact same claims made today about video games were made about Comics. The senate even held hearings and considered an outright ban. Why comics were approved soon after by a censorship board.
You know why games are rated? 1999.
It's easy to blame a fringe element in the society, gamers and comic geek are fringe, and try to ban that, instead of looking at why they mostly reflect the rest of the media and provide a not too kind mirror to society.
People have been looking for the holy grail that video games are Dangerous. After now thirty years they have not...research and money has been poured into this. Hell, the senate, just like comics, has even held hearings.
You know, instead of chasing after a red herring, as ridiculous as evolution and gays cause this, we should focus on what does actually work.
But you say people don't want to do anything...literally millions have been poured into this wild goose chase.
Livluvgrow
(377 posts)and the fact that we could find conflicting conclusions tells me that the jury is still out.
earthside
(6,960 posts)We are talking about the impact of violent video games on U.S. culture --- not the cultures of Japan or Korea.
The U.S. has its own unique cultural pedigree that may predispose us to violence, i.e., the 'frontier' aka the 'wild west' ... since World War II and especially since Vietnam, we have witnessed a marked increase in the violence in popular culture.
As has been noted in the past couple of days, something like 43 people are killed by guns everyday in this country ... does any other nation compare?
If we are going to ever dial back this rise in mass slaughter and the tragedy of gun violence, we've got to be willing to look at all aspects of culture that may contribute to destructive tendencies.
It is not rational or scientific to stubbornly wall-off the potential influences of violent video games and gratuitously violent movies and TV shows -- just as the gun nuts try to do about their object of obsession -- from further investigation and study.
Frankly, I am concerned that too much time in front of computer, TV screens by America's youth is having an effect on human-to-human socialization (not to mention our obesity problem as the First Lady has pointed out).
Nevertheless, I am all for using social and economic pressure on entertainment corporations that market violent game products to young people --- I would never support any kind of forced, governmental censorship or product bans.
Livluvgrow
(377 posts)I completely agree and just wish I could express myself that clearly
earthside
(6,960 posts)There is a reasonable, measured way to discuss this.
And, in the end, it will be the rational, open-minded position of liberals and progressives that will win the day because we do not turn all points of view into "I'm right, you're wrong" contests.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)go to it.
Just don't give it to the impressionable 13 year old boy down the street.
white_wolf
(6,238 posts)If parents choose to buy and let their kids play Doom and Mortal Kombat that's their choice. I played both those growing up so I really don't see the big deal.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)you'll grow up healthy, it's probably best to eat vegetables.
Just because you grew up healthy doesn't mean others will.
The studies are numerous and fairly conclusive. There is a strong predictive reliability to violent behavior in kids who participated in violent video games. You can Google that. There are a number of studies on it. Doesn't mean a kid will become a murderer. But one thing is certain - there is no harm in NOT playing violent video games.
BTW, a # of countries have banned them. Australia had a mass killing problem. It addressed assault weapons and made many violent video games age 18 and over, and banned outright the more violent ones (like Mortal Kombat - can't bring them into the country). Their method of handling the problem seems to have worked.
white_wolf
(6,238 posts)They aren't sold in Australia, but they aren't illegal. A lot of gamers simply order them internationally. And I think Australia's strict gun laws have a lot more to do with their lower gun violence than banning videogames. Face it, this talk of banning videogames is as pathetic as people who used to try and ban comicbooks or rock music.
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)And these studies are all but conclusive
See the post above.
And anyway these violent games are NOT MEANT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. If a kid has his or her paws on an M game, let alone an Adult Only tittle...blame the parents, not the industry. Ratings exist for a reason.
Now here they are just for you.
Early Childhood - Games with the EC mark are geared towards children ages 3 and up.
Everyone - Games marked E are well suited for a general audience. They have minimal violence but may contain some crude language.
Teens - Games with the T mark are for older kids, ages 13 and up. These games often have violent content and can contain strong language.
Mature - Games marked M are for people 17 and older. They usually have very violent or gory content, strong language and possible nudity.
Adults Only - Games with the AO mark are not suitable for anyone under the age of 18. They may contain graphic violence, language or sex. To date, no game has been published with this rating.
Compare this to your movie ratings.
G General Audiences. All Ages Admitted. A G-rated motion picture contains nothing in theme, language, nudity, sex, violence or other matters that, in the view of the Rating Board, would offend parents whose younger children view the motion picture. The G rating is not a "certificate of approval," nor does it signify a "childrens" motion picture. Some snippets of language may go beyond polite conversation but they are common everyday expressions. No stronger words are present in G-rated motion pictures. Depictions of violence are minimal. No nudity, sex scenes or drug use are present in the motion picture.
PG Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children. A PG-rated motion picture should be investigated by parents before they let their younger children attend. The PG rating indicates, in the view of the Rating Board, that parents may consider some material unsuitable for their children, and parents should make that decision. The more mature themes in some PG-rated motion pictures may call for parental guidance. There may be some profanity and some depictions of violence or brief nudity. But these elements are not deemed so intense as to require that parents be strongly cautioned beyond the suggestion of parental guidance. There is no drug use content in a PG-rated motion picture.
PG-13 Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13. A PG-13 rating is a sterner warning by the Rating Board to parents to determine whether their children under age 13 should view the motion picture, as some material might not be suited for them. A PG-13 motion picture may go beyond the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, adult activities or other elements, but does not reach the restricted R category. The theme of the motion picture by itself will not result in a rating greater than PG-13, although depictions of activities related to a mature theme may result in a restricted rating for the motion picture. Any drug use will initially require at least a PG-13 rating. More than brief nudity will require at least a PG-13 rating, but such nudity in a PG-13 rated motion picture generally will not be sexually oriented. There may be depictions of violence in a PG-13 movie, but generally not both realistic and extreme or persistent violence. A motion pictures single use of one of the harsher sexually-derived words, though only as an expletive, initially requires at least a PG-13 rating. More than one such expletive requires an R rating, as must even one of those words used in a sexual context. The Rating Board nevertheless may rate such a motion picture PG-13 if, based on a special vote by a two-thirds majority, the Raters feel that most American parents would believe that a PG-13 rating is appropriate because of the context or manner in which the words are used or because the use of those words in the motion picture is inconspicuous.
R Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian. An R-rated motion picture, in the view of the Rating Board, contains some adult material. An R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counseled to take this rating very seriously. Children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated motion pictures unaccompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Parents are strongly urged to find out more about R-rated motion pictures in determining their suitability for their children. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures.
NC-17 No One 17 and Under Admitted. An NC-17 rated motion picture is one that, in the view of the Rating Board, most parents would consider patently too adult for their children 17 and under. No children will be admitted. NC-17 does not mean "obscene" or "pornographic" in the common or legal meaning of those words, and should not be construed as a negative judgment in any sense. The rating simply signals that the content is appropriate only for an adult audience. An NC-17 rating can be based on violence, sex, aberrational behavior, drug abuse or any other element that most parents would consider too strong and therefore off-limits for viewing by their children
One last think, doncha think that having a gun ban has a tad more to do with this in Australia?
Logic fail of enormous proportions.
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)The original version was rated m as soon as the ratings came out. Same for mortal combat, right.
M means mature audiences, over 18.
So if your 13 year old neighbor got it, ask which adult got it for him. Hell, I owned a copy, and before the ratings came out I had the good sense to keep doom away from teens, and the Barney mod IS Hysterical.
white_wolf
(6,238 posts)I still have to show ID for every M rated game I buy. I'll admit it's annoying if I forget my ID, but it's worth the trouble.
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)I don't look even close to an 18 year old.
TheMightyFavog
(13,770 posts)Gamestop policy, even though I'll be 33 in a couple of months.
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)When I was a young kid we landed the lunar lander at the hotel lobby and played Galaga!
I got carded when I bought Wolfestein 3D ( new version) fancy graphics, lousy game.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)Posteritatis
(18,807 posts)The custom level community was vibrant to say the least, if occasionally tasteless even by their own standards.
white_wolf
(6,238 posts)He didn't. He was a modder. Tons of people do it and I can download mods for pretty much any game on PC. Nice try, though.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)Doom levels can be made by anyone (using a level editor) and the discussion at link I provided
indicates Harris was an 'enthusiast' (not an employee).
white_wolf
(6,238 posts)Should we blame sports for that since he was obviously a sports "enthusiast?"
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)The link between games and shootings as a causative event simply do not exist.
We have ONE that might actually be close. That is one murder of 34000 for that year.
WooWooWoo
(454 posts)since it's not 1998 anymore.
white_wolf
(6,238 posts)cemaphonic
(4,138 posts)Hope you are enjoying your Snoop Doggy Dog, and Clinton Presidency.
PS. Sell your stocks in 1999. And again in early 2008.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)Barack_America
(28,876 posts)We do super mild shooters. But the appeal is now gone.
I guess we'll stick to Mario Kart or something.
MrSlayer
(22,143 posts)That's kind of tricky there. You have yourself saying the opposite of what you meant.
But I agree with you. Blaming games or movies or music or teaching evolution in schools are equally as idiotic.
Comrade_McKenzie
(2,526 posts)I love violent entertainment.
Never punched anyone.
Never held a gun.
Avoid even verbal confrontation.
Livluvgrow
(377 posts)is it all about the individual is it O.K. because you weren't impacted negatively so how can anybody else possibly be impacted negatively? It is going to be cold here tomorrow so you know global warming cant possibly be real. Good day.
white_wolf
(6,238 posts)So we should support censorship based on your suspicion that videgoames COULD cause violence.
Livluvgrow
(377 posts)Common sense yes. Government intrusion no. Greater expectations of decency yes. Or should everybody just Kill on
white_wolf
(6,238 posts)As for greater expectations of decency well why is your opinion of decency any better than mine? Do you consider Lord of the Rings indecent? How about Beowulf?
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)All that building and player created content is so violent...really.
Oh never mind the low res zombies...
spanone
(135,855 posts)Initech
(100,089 posts)backscatter712
(26,355 posts)If you're in favor of censorship, FUCK YOU!!!
Livluvgrow
(377 posts)are in favor of death and killing even if in your fantasy world well i actually then feel sorry for you. Play on
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)As is your low post count.
Have a nice day.
Livluvgrow
(377 posts)the low post count argument. I really dont have anything to counter that.
Katashi_itto
(10,175 posts)the conclusion of the test.
Livluvgrow
(377 posts)You kill people on a screen for enjoyment I play a mandolin and Banjo, Hike in my mountain community and cook guess I need more excitement to counter my bland life
white_wolf
(6,238 posts)By your logic we should ban all hiking. It make as much sense as your anti-gaming crusade. I swear you are as out of touch as the people railing against comics in the 50's or DND in the 80's.
Livluvgrow
(377 posts)got my ps3 sitting right in my home theater and lets put the statistics of gun violence next to the statistics of death by hiking and see how poor your argument is. The realism in games or simulated killing is on a whole different level today than DND or the comic book argument used here today. The sick fact is people really enjoy killing on their computer and TV screens, they love extreme violence in movies, obviously love their guns and death by gun happens to be the 2nd leading cause of death in this country. We have a large problem and you just want to bury your head in the sand
Katashi_itto
(10,175 posts)Never Be certain of anything. It's a sign of weakness.
-Dr Who
oldhippie
(3,249 posts)I saw on DU that all gun owners are a crime waiting to happen. Such things must be true.
Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)TheMightyFavog
(13,770 posts)Damn straight. Well put!
hollysmom
(5,946 posts)and bounce balls around or burst balloons for on-line amusement. But killing zombies was first.
DainBramaged
(39,191 posts)has been playing PC and video games since she could hold a controller for Super NES in the early 90's and she's a VERY well adjusted young lady. She has NEVER held a gun nor wanted to.
Those of you who think using video games or mental health issues as a distraction to the REAL issue, fucking guns everywhere, have another thing coming.
WilmywoodNCparalegal
(2,654 posts)and for several hours on the weekend. But I would never ever buy that for a minor. If I had a child, he or she would be monitored when playing videogames. If I can't do that because I have to work or cook or whatever else, then I won't buy a gaming system or games.
On the subject of banning things, I think we should ban most of the stuff some old Brit - Bill Shakes-something or 'nother - wrote. Some of the stuff is full of blood, violence and mayhem, not to mention witchcraft, incestuous thoughts, ghosts, profanity and cross-dressing... Vile stuff, I say.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)spend your time focusing on peace or violence.
People who habitually consume violent media choose to focus their attention on violence and associating it with fun.
You didn't say what video games you play.
And it's funny
you won't support any kind of censorship.
Every single one of my posts on this concern SELF censorship. Being aware of the media you consume and choosing wisely.
Posteritatis
(18,807 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)I also like Fantasy Movies and I've never actually killed an Orc.
Jamastiene
(38,187 posts)Posteritatis
(18,807 posts)Shankapotomus
(4,840 posts)but I'm not glued to 'em or anything. And there's plenty of video games that aren't violent.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)that said, such a thing has never happened.
I think all the "Look! Over here! video games! movies! Athiesm! Prayer in schools! SSRIs!" are all diversionary tactics from people who really, really, really don't want to talk about the elephant in the room:
bwood
(2 posts)I don't think the ratings mean anything significant. If so, then why limit them to one or two forms of art? Frank Zappa comes to mind... I believe we all hide from the savage problem at hand - growing up and taking responsibility for what we have accepted, inspired, formed and created; our society.
The constitution has nothing to do with the accelerating gun-nuttery that has eclipsed all forms of reason. The NRA is that smallish loud cousin that keeps trying to get your attention, but has far more yap than power. I'm no scholar, but a well regulated militia does exist here in Kentucky and other states. Here it's called the Kentucky National Guard and is referred to as a state militia. I thought that's what the amendment meant, but oh well...
Anyone, anywhere has the power to do great evil. Our American conscience allows it. Hell, news makes money on it. I don't watch television anymore, but I listen to NPR on occasion. It's pretty sick. It sickens me to think about networks whoring over a tragedy and selling commercial space in the gaps. Its a God damn shame. But we accept it.
One of my best neighbor-friends voted for Romney. I still love him and I'll just have to work harder to get him to reason, but I will not quit being a good friend and neighbor. We have an isolation issue in this country that allows people to drift into an entropic person hood. If someone cared about that kid when he needed it most, this may well have never happened. I don't know. I'm not telling anyone what to do. I just hope we can learn to be civil again.
However, I will tell y'all this; I live in a small town in KY. As far as I know (and I mostly know), there is a gun in every house on my road. We have our share of crazies and what not, but I have never heard of nor witnessed an attempted homicide in this county in the 34 years of my life. I have never owned a house with the doors locked at night either, but that's another story...
I really do believe gun violence is a mentality problem. There are so many different perspectives out there and it is hard to justify only one. I'm afraid this will lead to a make or break moment in our history.
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)Than states with tougher gun laws.