Games Kill!
Computer games don't affect kids, I mean if Pac Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching pills and listening to repetitive music.
-Marcus Brigstocke
So I saw this gig on "60 Minutes" about how bad computer games are, how they corrupt children and drive them into a life of crime. The target of their blathering? Grand Theft Auto. Now, for those of you (like me) who have never played this game, it's all about being a criminal. You break out of prison, grab a gun, kill some cops, steal some cars, kill some more cops and other random people, etc., etc. You're a bad guy, you're a villain, and you don't give a shit about anything or anyone. Actually it sounds kind of boring, but hey -- it's just not my cup of camellia sinensis.
Now, to the issue at hand ... people are blaming this game for a crime that is very similar to the game. This kid who, while incarcerated, grabbed a cop's gun, shot the cop, then another cop, then a 911 dispatcher, then took off in a cop car. Supposedly this is very similar to one of the scenarios in GTA, and the kid played the game. One of the cops' brother is a methodist minister with some Generic Church of Fist Shaking Zealots, and speaks out against the game:
"Why does it have to come to a point to where somebody's life has to be taken before they realize that these games have repercussions to them?"
-Steve Strickland
Okay, Steve, how about we ask that question again, but make a small change?
"Why does it have to come to a point to where somebody's life has to be taken before they realize that practicing religion has repercussions to it?"
What do you say, minister Strickland? But, I digress on that particular avenue of thought, though. Picking on religion is too easy.
Let's take a look at statistics, shall we? Grand Theft Auto had sold more than 35 million copies as of March of '05. Now, let's be generous and say that TEN crimes have been commited because of this game instead of just one ... we're looking at a whopping 0.0000003% of the people that bought the game, and that's rounded up!
The point, which has been made my many before me, is that if someone commits a crime -- a violent one at that -- because of a game, they'll do it for any reason. They would do it because of a movie, they'd do it because of the Sunday funnies, and they'd probably do it because My Little Pony told them to. It has absolutely nothing to do with the game, it has to do with the individual being fucked up in the head. Of course, it's so much easier to push blame onto something we don't like to begin with, isn't it? Well, my fucking turn, so step aside.
I think the reason these kids commit violent crimes is because of stupid people. I believe the blame lies with people who can't type three sentences without making a blatant grammatical error or spelling mistake. I believe the blame lies with people who can't utter twenty words without making themselves out to be idiots, perhaps with people who sniff glue, or maybe even with people who take part in organized religion. Well, not only have I found the cause of all our problems, I have the solution! Put a huge fence around a state without worth -- Iran, Israel or possibly Kentucky -- and give them all computers with Grand Theft Auto. According to the devastating numbers provided by the nay-sayers, I'm sure they'll all kill eachother in a week, maybe even less.
Grow the fuck up, people, and take some god damn responsibility for your own actions and idiocy. The blame lies first and foremost with the disturbed individual that allows themselves to become "trained killers" from playing computer games. Secondly I'd say the parents play a pretty important role in the degeneration the kids that perform these horrid acts. Third I'd put the very generalized term "society." This world is a fucked up place to be, but we're kind of stuck with it. However, allow me to reiterate, it is the fault of the person who pulls the trigger or breaks into the car. It's really that simple, folks!
As a child I played PacMan. I did not go out and eat pills and fruit, then flee from ghosts. Later on I played Kung Fu, yet I did not run around kicking and punching people to death. I have played ultra violent games like Doom, Quake, Street Fighter and Mortal Combat, but I have not yet killed or even maimed a single person. In fact, in 28 years I have yet to take or throw a punch. And no, playing Lemmings didn't make me want to blow up little furry critters, either.
The very notion that an average human being can be so affected by a game is not just ludicrous, it's insulting, and anyone who thinks even for a split second that this is the case should be curbed (see American History X if you don't know what I'm talking about).
I don't actually think for a moment that most of the people that oppose these games actually believe that the games are to blame. They're suing the makers and marketers of the game, and I question why this is. Can they really put prices on their loved ones' lives? Seriously, does anyone here think that Walmart and Gamestop should pay millions of dollars to the families of the victims because some psycho kid bought a game from them? Ironically I could go to Walmart and buy a gun or knife and kill a dozen people, and Walmart would not be held responsible at all, but oh my fucking god, how dare they sell a GAME? Are they out of their minds? Tell me I'm not the only one who finds this line of thought to be completely idiotic, please!
Anyway, I would continue this, but I just played Diablo 2, and I feel this great urge to go out and cast lightning storm spells on random people. If I don't write any more for a while, look for me on 60 Minutes.
-Marcus Brigstocke
So I saw this gig on "60 Minutes" about how bad computer games are, how they corrupt children and drive them into a life of crime. The target of their blathering? Grand Theft Auto. Now, for those of you (like me) who have never played this game, it's all about being a criminal. You break out of prison, grab a gun, kill some cops, steal some cars, kill some more cops and other random people, etc., etc. You're a bad guy, you're a villain, and you don't give a shit about anything or anyone. Actually it sounds kind of boring, but hey -- it's just not my cup of camellia sinensis.
Now, to the issue at hand ... people are blaming this game for a crime that is very similar to the game. This kid who, while incarcerated, grabbed a cop's gun, shot the cop, then another cop, then a 911 dispatcher, then took off in a cop car. Supposedly this is very similar to one of the scenarios in GTA, and the kid played the game. One of the cops' brother is a methodist minister with some Generic Church of Fist Shaking Zealots, and speaks out against the game:
"Why does it have to come to a point to where somebody's life has to be taken before they realize that these games have repercussions to them?"
-Steve Strickland
Okay, Steve, how about we ask that question again, but make a small change?
"Why does it have to come to a point to where somebody's life has to be taken before they realize that practicing religion has repercussions to it?"
What do you say, minister Strickland? But, I digress on that particular avenue of thought, though. Picking on religion is too easy.
Let's take a look at statistics, shall we? Grand Theft Auto had sold more than 35 million copies as of March of '05. Now, let's be generous and say that TEN crimes have been commited because of this game instead of just one ... we're looking at a whopping 0.0000003% of the people that bought the game, and that's rounded up!
The point, which has been made my many before me, is that if someone commits a crime -- a violent one at that -- because of a game, they'll do it for any reason. They would do it because of a movie, they'd do it because of the Sunday funnies, and they'd probably do it because My Little Pony told them to. It has absolutely nothing to do with the game, it has to do with the individual being fucked up in the head. Of course, it's so much easier to push blame onto something we don't like to begin with, isn't it? Well, my fucking turn, so step aside.
I think the reason these kids commit violent crimes is because of stupid people. I believe the blame lies with people who can't type three sentences without making a blatant grammatical error or spelling mistake. I believe the blame lies with people who can't utter twenty words without making themselves out to be idiots, perhaps with people who sniff glue, or maybe even with people who take part in organized religion. Well, not only have I found the cause of all our problems, I have the solution! Put a huge fence around a state without worth -- Iran, Israel or possibly Kentucky -- and give them all computers with Grand Theft Auto. According to the devastating numbers provided by the nay-sayers, I'm sure they'll all kill eachother in a week, maybe even less.
Grow the fuck up, people, and take some god damn responsibility for your own actions and idiocy. The blame lies first and foremost with the disturbed individual that allows themselves to become "trained killers" from playing computer games. Secondly I'd say the parents play a pretty important role in the degeneration the kids that perform these horrid acts. Third I'd put the very generalized term "society." This world is a fucked up place to be, but we're kind of stuck with it. However, allow me to reiterate, it is the fault of the person who pulls the trigger or breaks into the car. It's really that simple, folks!
As a child I played PacMan. I did not go out and eat pills and fruit, then flee from ghosts. Later on I played Kung Fu, yet I did not run around kicking and punching people to death. I have played ultra violent games like Doom, Quake, Street Fighter and Mortal Combat, but I have not yet killed or even maimed a single person. In fact, in 28 years I have yet to take or throw a punch. And no, playing Lemmings didn't make me want to blow up little furry critters, either.
The very notion that an average human being can be so affected by a game is not just ludicrous, it's insulting, and anyone who thinks even for a split second that this is the case should be curbed (see American History X if you don't know what I'm talking about).
I don't actually think for a moment that most of the people that oppose these games actually believe that the games are to blame. They're suing the makers and marketers of the game, and I question why this is. Can they really put prices on their loved ones' lives? Seriously, does anyone here think that Walmart and Gamestop should pay millions of dollars to the families of the victims because some psycho kid bought a game from them? Ironically I could go to Walmart and buy a gun or knife and kill a dozen people, and Walmart would not be held responsible at all, but oh my fucking god, how dare they sell a GAME? Are they out of their minds? Tell me I'm not the only one who finds this line of thought to be completely idiotic, please!
Anyway, I would continue this, but I just played Diablo 2, and I feel this great urge to go out and cast lightning storm spells on random people. If I don't write any more for a while, look for me on 60 Minutes.
posted by Larf at 7:37 AM
12 Comments:
BRAVO! But I don't think you put enough stress on PARENTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These people piss me off. Those system milkers that have upteen children and wonder why they're a little fucked up.
When I play a game, just like when I watch most movies, I detach myself from reality. This is done to enhance believability (spelling) and to immerse myself in the experience. In this way, I can experience the taboo or the downright fuckin' wrong. Playing "Four-Star General" in GTA (see footnote) is not something you do in real life. Nor is tearing people's spines out in Mortal Kombat. However, doing it virtual style is fun because there are NO MORAL, ETHICAL, OR REAL RAMMIFICATIONS from doing these things in that environment.
Unfortunately, for the rest of us 'chemically balanced' peoples there are some that do not grasp this barrier. Like every fucking small child who watches Power Rangers! God damn those little punks! We hates them we does!
What I'm about to say next will bring me full circle: WHERE ARE THEIR FUCKING PARENTS! Goddamn losers. GET YOUR KIDS OUTSIDE AWAY FROM THE TELEVISION!! And cuff them upside the head on their way out and say, "That's for what you're about to do!"
Footnote: "Four Star General" is a game invented by a couple hall mates of mine. We would raise our 'wanted' level in GTA3 to four stars. It is at this point the FBI/ATF/NSA/"the guys in the black cars with M-16's" (whoever they are) are after you. You then remain on the ground and try to survive for as long as possible. The record was eight and 1/2 minutes by our friend Chuck Wad. Lucky bastard went to the marina and let the AI drive themselves off the wharfs.
p.s. And when your kid comes back in, cuff him and say "That's for the thing I didn't catch you for!"
p.p.s. OH YEAH! AND EXCESSIVE USE OF CAPS IS JUST PLAIN FUCKING WRONG!
Yea, I (twitch) play games all the time, especially hheheheheee shooters and I find that GET OFF ME violent games really relax me and &^%!$&@#!!!!!
(remaining post deleted by administrator)
I agree! I don't know what Games did to piss those people off, but they find violent games a convenient target for everything they can think of. I love violent games but they've never once made me think about hurting someone for real. And I agree that's really what the problem is, not only do the kiddies not have any concept of the consequences of their actions, but they have no concept of reality. I would say parents are to blame for that, but I couldn't say. All I know is, it's not the games...
I'd like to blame the parents, but how can we hold people responsible when they live in a society that rewards them for having unprotected sex and giving birth to children they can't possibly afford to raise. I'd like to sloppily quote an ex co-worker of mine, to protect his identity we'll change his name and call him fat slob bob. Fat slob bob actually said "having this kid was the best thing i ever did, the government sends me a check every month." If any of you were there you'll know my quote is slightly off but it's the same idea.
So how in a society where people see children as a chance for financial gain rather than a financial responsibility can we expect said people to take the time and say "hey little timmy stealing a car is wrong." It's hard to believe that someone stealing from hard working Americans would know this is necessary to tell a young child. (in case you're confused, the part of your taxes that don't go to the roads and police go to unemployed bums who's only form of income is to have another kid)
Are the games at fault was the original question. Well when your only parental figure is the guy from GTA or the other guy from DOOM then it's difficult to a moral outlook onlife. So we're faced with choice 1) ban the games, 2) ban the breeding. Let's look at these two options. Banning the games at the cost of extreme boredom eliminates a small amount of crime. (to give those that will argue against me a small hope of having a valid arguement i won't mention the amount of crime boredom causes) So choice 1 has infact eliminated some crime so our friendly anti-game advocates have a great argument. On to choice 2. Ban the breeding, maybe the wording sounds more harsh than it's meant, should all people be banned from breeding? No. When the government pays for your housing and your food, because the task of finding even a minimum wage job is just too difficult for you, you should not be allowed children. If the people paying for your clothes and television (taxpayers) are hard at work while you're at home playing with your self you should not be allowed children. Children of people who can't afford to feed themselves let alone their kids undoubtedly turn to crime. I don't blame the kids, when mom and dad sell your food stamps to buy booze you can't blame a child for stealing to feed and clothe themself. These children being broughtup with no sort of parenting continue their life of crime into adulthood. So we require a license (not a drivers license you half-wit) to have a kid and how much crime is eliminated? Let's just estimate and say a lot.
"What about the right to choose?" you may be asking. Well in my opinion you gave that up when my hard earned money started buying you food and housing (and drugs.)
What i've said will probably make you mad, but you need to ask, are you mad because it's bullshit, or are you mad because you know it's true?
Sorry, Tommy, but I don't fucking buy it even for a split second. The whole "my parents were horrible" jig is too old and doesn't apply. What it boils down to is the genetic recipe with which we are born. Two identical twins can grow up in the same house with the same benefits, and they can turn out to be two completely people -- one a serial killer, the other an EMT. Sure society plays a part, but bad people grow up in good homes and vice versa . Trying to deny that is like stepping on your own face -- you look like an asshole and it doesn't do a whole lot of good, except for giving me a giggle.
As for the two choices you offer, ban the games or ban the breeding ... again, I don't buy it. You are assuming that there actually is a situation here that needs rectification. Like I said, less than 0.0000003% of the people that bought the game have been tied to criminal activity which may or may not be linked to the actual game. If anyone finds that alarming and cause to "castrate the world or ban games," then the world of humans is too fucking sensitive, and we most likely deserve to die.
I had some more points, but sadly I must return to my work.
If you follow the story line in GTA:SA (witch is the only one where you have to specifically go against cops) the cops in the game are CROOKED COPS!!! From what I can remember, in no point of the game do you have to kill an innocent cop for the purpose of the story. The lead cop (played by Samuel L Jackson, excellent job btw!) is a crooked cop trying to get his hands deeper in to SanAndreas so he can have more power over the city. He deals drugs, he has the main character's brother in jail and harasses him, he's a jackass!
In the first two GTA 3 games I can't remember anything about specifically taking down a cop. Killing a cop is an option. The cops will be after you when you do something that's against the law. The cops are just doing their job in the game when trying to arrest you. They use force when needed and bring in backup when needed. So when the cops in the game are doing what they would in real life and YOU start fending them off with YOUR guns because you don't want to get caught, how the fuck is that the games fault? Doesn't the player have a moral responsibility to pay for his actions? You can either kill everyone who's against you or go quietly and pay for your crimes. Doesn't the game give you the same two choices that you would have in real life?
The game is just bringing out what most people would do in a similar situation. Luckily we're able to find out who would take out a cop and who will go quietly without sacrificing lives. What people do with that knowledge after that is up to them.
Good post, Nate, thanks. Since I haven't, and most likely never will play the game, it's nice to get some input from someone who has. 60 Minutes failed to include that little tidbit of information, but I guess they would, otherwise they'd completely be invalidating their story.
We've seen the same crap with other games as well. Not too long ago there was a story on 60 Minutes about EverQuest and how that game drove a kid to kill himself. However, as a little research would reveal, the kid was mentally challenged -- think that may have had something to do with it?
Supposedly games like Doom and Diablo have also caused people to harm others or themselves (Columbine comes to mind). However, the people that oppose such games neglect to notice that you're the good guy fighting demons! Is that what we're trying to shut down? Should we be the bad guys instead?
The same doctrine has been spewed by religious fanatics and other people with their noses up our asses for as long as entertainment has been around. Dancing is the tool of the devil, music is the tool of the devil (and if we can't find anything evil in the music, we'll play it backwards and come up with some ambiguous satanistic crap that no one else can hear), books (other than the bible, of course) are evil, pen and paper RPGs are evil. What it boils down to is this: any fun that you can have without harming anyone is evil, because there may possibly be a slight chance that someone somewhere may kill someone in the name of the Teletubbies.
I think the point is that human beings are animals that have lost their place in nature. These games fulfill a carnal desire that is otherwise hindered by social, religious, and economical rules (all of which are created by man for the purpose of control). The kid would have killed given any other stimuli. The debators, including here, all have their own agenda. None of which matters, but it does keep us from facing the reality of death.
Larfsen has said in previous posts that humans are separated from animals by language, opposable thumbs, etc. This is a self-serving man-made bullshit story. There is nothing separating us from other animals. George Carlin said that "it is one of those things we tell ourselves so that we feel noble." My sugarglider has an opposable thumb, and whales have a complex language. We simply communicate in a different way. We all die though.
What does this have to do with games? Well, games are a way to keep ourselves busy until we die. However, they provide us with stimuli just the same. They are still a form of communication. People take different things from games. Did the game make him kill? Possibly, but I also think that something else would have (My Little Pony). The game just happened to be the proverbial straw.
I don't buy the detached theory. There is a reason that you chose the game, and a reason why you play it for 12 hours stait. The reason... it fulfills a need. What that need is, who is to say? I find that the real worry lies in the fact that so many people found the game to fulfill a need. A game where you know (unless you live under a rock) that at some point you will be faced with the choice to kill. Having power over someone else's life is a potent aphrodisiac. Are our lives so bankrupt?
I play Final Fantasy X-2! Why, cause I like scantily clad women that I can never have. I imaging real women where a virtual one is. What can I say? I am a horny toad! I mean, Jessica Alba as Sue Storm, damn! I play just to get to the next high-res movie where Yuna is standing in a seductive, and carefully planned way (like those girls that dress a certain way to bother you). There was an early episode of The Simpsons where this french guy said, "better than the deed, better than the memory, the moment of anticipation".
I am married, and I love my wife. A man is as faithful as his options. Either you are self-limiting, or you are a slut (guys can be sluts too). Those games help me look at "women" without cheating. It's like having your cake and eating it too.
Some people can draw the line, and some sucumb to their animal origins. That's life. Alas, life has an end and so does this post (and the crowd cheers).
Your sugar glider may have opposable thumbs, but I could kick its ass any day of the week. Whales may have complex language skills, but they have the intelligence level of a cow. Perhaps you consider eating from the spot where you just pissed and having some human yank your tits on a daily basis to be smart (I don't know if you're into that kind of stuff), but I don't.
But seriously, of course there's a reason you buy a game in which you get to kill dozens of people, perform crimes that would normally have you locked up for 24 to life, drive crazy fast cars and whatever else the game has to offer. Of course there's a need that's fulfilled. It's called entertainment.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that there have been times when blowing up an orc has felt really good, and I wish that had been the last customer I spoke with on the phone. The difference between me and the cop killing -- no, fuck that -- human killing kid, is that I don't act on any such urges or thoughts. I can tell the difference between reality and blowing off some steam by cutting down imps with a silver bladed wakazashi.
I submit to you that, what makes a person good, is not what they do ... it's what they don't do. Stopping for an old man with a walker so that he can cross the street doesn't make me a good person. However, not running him over for taking 28 fucking minutes to cross the fucking street at least makes me a not evil one.
As for your pixel-babe fantasies ... I'm sorry, but that's just sad. Not only are you drooling over women who have never existed, you're drooling over women who can't exist, most of which look like twelve year olds with big tits. You say you're married and that you love your wife. I certainly won't argue that -- I don't know you well enough to. However, I find that women in general will give you a smack on the back of the head if you look at other women. How do I know? I happened to married to a woman, so I have someone on the inside. If you want to use magic and kill super-human creatures, play FFX2. If you want to look at women, go find your wife.
Now, I won't attempt to poke fun at you for looking at other women, real or not, implying that your wife isn't enough for you and all that crap. I don't wish to insult your wife, for one. I'm sure she's a lovely woman. Also, I happen to like your post; it was mostly intelligent.
You said, "A man is as faithful as his options." I disagree. There are always options. However, two things to consider (speaking for myself only, of course). I married my wife because out of any options, she's the best for me. I'm the kind of guy who finds what he likes and sticks with it, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. "I made a promise, Mr. Frodo!" I'm a huge fan of status quo. Secondly, and I'm repeating myself here, what makes you what you are isn't just what you do, it's what you don't do. Like, cheat on your wife, kill a person, or make fun of a man's wife because he said some things that don't make 100% sense.
Oh, and quoting George Carlin is like quoting the bible. I love the guy, but he has contradicted himself on many occasions, and while I think he's smart, I don't think he's omniscient. George Carlin also said, "If we could just find out who's in charge, we could kill him," and "If it requires a uniform it's a worthless endeavor." Sounds like someone who wants to kill and hates cops. Who knows, maybe he plays GTA? He must be trying to fulfil a need, he is after all clearly expressing it.
I'd write more, but I must fulfil my need to see little animated clouds, so I'd better to turn on the weather channel. Thanks for posting.
If anything would actually make me want to kill, the last few "posters" would be it.
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