Comments on: The Effects of Video Game Violence

By: Jon Hartman

Jon Hartman — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:24:56 +0000

I’ve had a few thoughts on the subject, especially in light of the rubbish release by the EU Parlaiment.

http://techdojo.org/?p=65&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

By: The Effects of Video Game Violence | Video Game Violence News

The Effects of Video Game Violence | Video Game Violence News — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:13:40 +0000

[...] See the original post: The Effects of Video Game Violence [...]

By: Hal Frediksson

Hal Frediksson — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:55:19 +0000

Haha. You fools. “Look back to Plato – he criticized poets.” You’re saying someone is wrong because someone else was once wrong! Where’s the logic, guys? I can now say “Look at Plato – he criticized poets” in reference to YOU, not Craig Anderson.

By: Jon

Jon — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:16:20 +0000

One would think that a bunch of God-botherers (Lenoir-Rhyne offers “a sound education based on religious principles and Christian values”) would be aware that surrounding yourself with violent media may lead to holiness, not violence. Or should we Ban This Evil Bible Now!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:02:08 +0000

I have to agree with the above posters. I find it telling that the researchers refer to any disagreement with their view as “resistance”…this is not altogether different from the perspective Psychoanalysts took to perspectives that differed from their own. They purport to be the guardians of “truth”…where as other views are inherintly irrational That’s a fundamentally arrogant position, particularly as they neglect to mention that there are numerous critiques of their position from within the scholarly community itself.

By: Jonathon

Jonathon — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:59:20 +0000

I think Robert hit the nail on the head. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

By: George

George — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:39:40 +0000

Thank God for the voice of reason Robert. As you have said this is the same thing that has happened throughout history with books, music, movies, television and now video games….and throughout it all I wonder if we have have actually learned anything at all. It’s always easier to point a finger at the easy answer, even when it is the wrong answer.

By: James Smith

James Smith — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 18:00:53 +0000

“The sooner we all go back to blaming jazz music for all of society’s ills, the better.” Someone once said. I agree.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:29:42 +0000

Well said Robert!

Look back to Plato – he criticized poets.
And 50’s the comics code?
And Video Nasties?

“Moral Panic”!

By: Robert Hewson

Robert Hewson — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:58:28 +0000

I agree that media has an effect on people. Of course it does, this goes for movies, books and yes videogames. Even if we take all of these forms of media away, the simple and ancient act of storytelling in any form has the ability to incite aggression, sadness – a whole range of emotions, as we have seen throughout history.

You give an example of a young man who recorded himself swearing while playing a game and visibily appearing aggressive. That’s sounds a great deal like any number of passionate sports fans watching their favourite team to me, should we ban or tone down sports?

Of course violent videogames should not be sold to children, nither should violent movies or violtent books. Should they be banned? Absolutely not. The value of freedom of expression is far too great to sacrifice.

Human beings are essentially tribal mammals, they will always be driven by biological desires to prevail and protect their tribe, wheather it is manifested through a sports team, a videogame or a movie character we relate to.

You mention that your job is made difficult because people don’t understand and resist. From my perspective your job is made difficult because people disagree with you.

Videogames are targeted because they are a new form of media. We’ve been here before of course – books have been burned, early movies terrified people until they ran out of theatres and television was a box with the power to possess your children and turn their eyes square.

Unfortunately we don’t seem to learn, and there will always be opportunists like yourselves willing to make money by exploiting the irrational fears of people towards anything new which they don’t fully understand.