General Discussion

earthside

(6,960 posts)

36. It is the popular culture that includes video games.

Fri Jul 20, 2012, 01:02 PM

Jul 2012

All the people who say excessively violent video games have no impact have this obstacle to their argument: then why spend millions of dollars on television ads to persuade people to vote for Obama for President?

Because advertising and electronic media and mass communication do have an effect on people. Why did folks dress-up in Batman costumes last night if movies have no impact on how people behave.

The problem, in my opinion, is not video games in isolation, but as part of the tapestry of popular culture that pushes and pushes and pushes violence and decadent behavior on people ... mostly for the purpose of selling products and recruiting soldiers for future wars.

The problem sometimes for liberals is admitting that popular culture can be detrimental and negative -- without jumping to the charge that some self-restraint amounts to censorship.

Without resorting to laws and regulations, we can simply decide as individuals that we are not going to give-in to violence so much. Liberals and progressives can certainly chose to practice a certain level of civility and respect that leads to a more peace-oriented culture.

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IT'S THE VIDEO GAMES, DAMNIT! [View all] DonRedwood Jul 2012 OP

I agree (though there is no single factor, of course) cthulu2016 Jul 2012 #1

I agree, there are many contributing factors DonRedwood Jul 2012 #7

I agree. In a larger sense computers mess with our interface with the world flamingdem Jul 2012 #30

I saw the cover of Newsweek (I think) that is saying that all of this is rewiring our brains. n/t progressivebydesign Jul 2012 #54

. dionysus Jul 2012 #2

Sheesh... Why did I just know someone would come out with this crap Ohio Joe Jul 2012 #3

This thread makes me want to fire up Left 4 Dead... backscatter712 Jul 2012 #4

Either that or Lollipop Chainsaw. Arkana Jul 2012 #71

The first amendment is a genuine right. Loudly Jul 2012 #5

WOW! Marinedem Jul 2012 #33

So you want to what? RadiationTherapy Jul 2012 #6

Sure DonRedwood Jul 2012 #18

I agree on all points. We have no choice but to attend to our children's access to media and RadiationTherapy Jul 2012 #47

Idiotic. I've played shooters for YEARS and I have no desire to even own a gun... phleshdef Jul 2012 #8

my video game body count has to be in the millions, yet strangely, shooting up a joint never dionysus Jul 2012 #11

Wha? cthulu2016 Jul 2012 #21

Nope. Still has fuck all to do with it. phleshdef Jul 2012 #26

Well put nt flamingdem Jul 2012 #65

You haven't provided any evidence saying that video games and video games alone Arkana Jul 2012 #72

It may be that some people have a predispositon? Mojorabbit Jul 2012 #31

Not even one of these? chknltl Jul 2012 #39

+1. I play shooters all the time and would never consider getting a gun. Dawgs Jul 2012 #48

And it's always shooters they fret about, too Posteritatis Jul 2012 #50

Oh good grief! GarroHorus Jul 2012 #9

This Batman movie is violent Politicalboi Jul 2012 #10

You played what JonLP24 Jul 2012 #12

Joe Lieberman - is that you? Initech Jul 2012 #13

I play multiplayer Call of Duty: MW3 every night WilmywoodNCparalegal Jul 2012 #14

Same here siouxsiecreamcheese Jul 2012 #73

I cast Corruption on people all day long RandiFan1290 Jul 2012 #15

No, it's the individual player. Amonester Jul 2012 #16

You forgot the sarcasm tag Confusious Jul 2012 #17

When playing the game becomes obsessive nc4bo Jul 2012 #19

I think it's the music, When I get in heavy traffic on 635 I put in some DMX snooper2 Jul 2012 #20

Absolutely no link at all. Come back when you have more evidence. Comrade_McKenzie Jul 2012 #22

I've been hearing that crap for 30 years, so I'm rather skeptical of your opinion on this JHB Jul 2012 #23

Really? jorno67 Jul 2012 #24

Its funny but quite a few years AsahinaKimi Jul 2012 #25

thats right up there with "rock n roll is the devils music!" Sea-Dog Jul 2012 #27

I will support you on this Duer 157099 Jul 2012 #28

I dismissed the research initially. redqueen Jul 2012 #42

just like doom caused columbine, right? fizzgig Jul 2012 #29

NO,it's the rock and roll! Swede Jul 2012 #32

Hmmm... Not sure if... backscatter712 Jul 2012 #34

It's the printing press, damnit! Nevernose Jul 2012 #35

Goddamned cuneiform. It was all downhill from there. (nt) Posteritatis Jul 2012 #49

It is the popular culture that includes video games. earthside Jul 2012 #36

Well said. nt redqueen Jul 2012 #43

Speaking for myself JonLP24 Jul 2012 #46

I disagree Shankapotomus Jul 2012 #37

Um, no. Media doesn't "make" anyone do anything they weren't already going to do Taverner Jul 2012 #38

That does seem to be part of it. redqueen Jul 2012 #40

If this was true both of my brothers would be mass murders. lilithsrevenge12 Jul 2012 #41

As a gamer who likes their games more violent than less justiceischeap Jul 2012 #44

The post-tragedy IQ plunge is in full effect, I see. (nt) Posteritatis Jul 2012 #45

So what explains ALL of the mass murder events before video games CBGLuthier Jul 2012 #51

I love First Person Shooter video games... TeamPooka Jul 2012 #52

I totally agree but it's not a popular opinion. progressivebydesign Jul 2012 #53

"when they give their children" Amonester Jul 2012 #59

Just to add: There should be "Parenting 101" (201, 301, ...) Amonester Jul 2012 #63

Have you considered at all that it might be a parent's responsibility Arkana Jul 2012 #70

If you had actually invaded a few neighboring countries as a result ... surrealAmerican Jul 2012 #55

Hmmm no... nadinbrzezinski Jul 2012 #56

the Japanese have the same video games we do and very little (comparitively) violent crime d_r Jul 2012 #57

But doesn't Japan have a high suicide rate? nc4bo Jul 2012 #64

different cultural meanings d_r Jul 2012 #74

You just went through the initial phase. It doesn't last and rationality remains Egalitarian Thug Jul 2012 #58

Look up the name Charles Whitman cleduc Jul 2012 #60

From PBS VenusRising Jul 2012 #61

oh, absolutely shugah Jul 2012 #62

I've seen social damage to young men who grow up obsessed with games flamingdem Jul 2012 #66

The game *industry* is kinda distinct from players as a whole Posteritatis Jul 2012 #75

Yes! Some of them even promote a secret liberal agenda. We must eliminate them all! dogknob Jul 2012 #67

it's not the games siouxsiecreamcheese Jul 2012 #68

You're kidding, right? Arkana Jul 2012 #69