What do you guys think about violence in video games?

[Squiggly Sponge]

Some answers... plus rant

Some questions to think about:

Is it dangerous to children?
Is it alright in moderation?
Is it alright if the person has logical thinking?
How about if a person commits a murder spree because of violence in video games?
Is violence so powerful in video games that it is addicting?
Is violence in video games being contagious bad?
Is violence wrong?
etc...

Just add your thoughts about this issue.

Children are influenced by all sorts of things. As with things such as violence in music (Rap) and violence on TV and Movies, I think people are avoiding the really harmful issue - bad parenting. People just don't want to take responsibility anymore which has us going down the oft mentioned "slippery slope".

I'd still say that video games do have some influence, and letting kids get dependent on them is going to lead to very bad things happening. One of my housemates is addicted to a popular online game, but if you were to take it away he'll likely replace it with another game instead. Our generation needs to get out and enjoy life instead of staying in and being entertained by television, games and the internet (...he says sitting behind his computer ).

If anyone commits a murder based on a video game, chances are they're already mentally underdeveloped (read: f*cked up).

 

[Bonhomme]

I still say do the brain scans. There is already plenty of research indicating certain brain scan anomalies that correlate with violent behavior and other behavioral abnormalities. Some day this will all be common knowledge, and will turn the whole justice/crime/punishment system upside down... but that's a long day coming, because people will have a very hard time accepting the reality of "they know not what they're doing."

 

[bigjohnson]

Well done, why don't you PM me your address and I'll send a cookie and a gold star in the post.

Riiiight.

In any case, I used to feel that the whole "violent media contributes" argument was a line of BS as well, but you should go to a library and read Grossman a bit. One very encouraging thing covered in "On Killing" is the discussion on how much operant conditioning it takes to make an average soldier into a reliable killer.

 

[oakraiderz2]

I still say do the brain scans. There is already plenty of research indicating certain brain scan anomalies that correlate with violent behavior and other behavioral abnormalities. Some day this will all be common knowledge, and will turn the whole justice/crime/punishment system upside down... but that's a long day coming, because people will have a very hard time accepting the reality of "they know not what they're doing."

I disagree with you to an extent. Theres a spurious correlation at work with regards to the biological perspective. Brain anomalies dont soley explain violent behavior in children, or people. Theres a psychosocial and sociocultural aspect involved as well.

 

[Quiksilver]

What do you guys think about violence in video games?

To be honest, I'm more concerned about violence in real life than video games...

With all the pitfalls and dark corners of society, no one should be concerned about the affects of video games. All those busy bodies and do-gooders who think they're saving the planet by attacking violence in video games should go get a job at a drug rehab center to open their eyes to the real menaces of society.

It's just more scare-mongering and--likely--feminists who need an outlet for attention and another means of control.

Today I played a little Call of Duty 4 and blew about 60 guys brains out, then I went shopping and held a door open for an old lady, chatted up the manager on duty, and called a friend about a christmas dinner. See the correlation between video games and the rest of my life? I certainly don't.

 

[Bonhomme]

I'm not saying biochemistry is everything, oakraiderz2, but I am saying it's very important -- and here I add, way, way, way underrated. I'm the only one who even has mentioned it in this thread.

Some of the correlations between brain scans and behavior are striking. It is absolutely daft to dismiss such findings.