Videogames and Violence

[Havet]

Before answering, consider the following information:

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/photos/uncategorized/2008/04/08/violencegraph.jpg

The graph makes no direct claims towards a relationship between real world and gaming violence, though it’s interesting to see an inversely proportional trend of violent gaming releases and incidents of real crime.

What? You don’t believe the graph? “Correlation is not causation”, you cry, “and besides — this is horrendously simplistic.”

For those doubting the graph’s figures, have a look at the data on which it was based: a relatively recent survey of national violent crime rates (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/tables/viortrdtab.htm)published by the U.S. Department of Justice (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/tables/viortrdtab.htm).

[Conquer or Die]

Keep proving the worthlessness of what you bring to this forum.

No real leftist gives two fucks about video games and their content.

[Havet]

Keep proving the worthlessness of what you bring to this forum.

No real leftist gives two fucks about video games and their content.

We'll see (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasty_generalization). I don't understand why you think you can speak in the name of all leftists. You know, this is why there's a forum. To discuss different leftist viewpoints.

I believe you have brought more worthlessness to the forum with your whining about some-leftists-which-aren't-really-leftists-according-to-you than I have in all the threads I have ever made. The proof is how people were willing to debate with me, and replied to my threads and posts(sometimes very long posts), and in the end i managed to accept different viewpoints than my original ones, unlike you that is.

[Demogorgon]

They are a good target of moral panic, but as usual it is a load of crap. The only violence that could be said to be caused by videogames would be that caused by the increased stress levels that some people suffer when they play them. That is pretty insignificant though.

I don't think it is a good idea for young kids to play violent games, just as I don't think it is a good idea for them to watch violent films or whatever, but once someone is into their teens, they are unlikely to be traumatised by an entertainment medium and certainly not very likely to start committing crimes in an effort to replicate violent games.

[genstrike]

Okay, I don't want to be the Jack Thompson of RevLeft, but I do think there is an issue with certain toys, videogames and movies which promote war and militarism to children at a young age, entrenching a culture of militarism, state-worship and national chauvinism in youth. This goes much further than video games as well - military recruiters are trying to get to kids earlier (even using video games like America's Army to do it), and things like airshows are a massive patriotic display of the military equipment used to unleash devastation on many people.

Also, interesting link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29417231/

[Conquer or Die]

We'll see (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasty_generalization). I don't understand why you think you can speak in the name of all leftists. You know, this is why there's a forum. To discuss different leftist viewpoints.

I believe you have brought more worthlessness to the forum with your whining about some-leftists-which-aren't-really-leftists-according-to-you than I have in all the threads I have ever made. The proof is how people were willing to debate with me, and replied to my threads and posts(sometimes very long posts), and in the end i managed to accept different viewpoints than my original ones, unlike you that is.

Oy vey, comrade! What a mistake I've made! You're actually luring out reactionaries in disguise.

[Durruti's Ghost]

Okay, I don't want to be the Jack Thompson of RevLeft, but I do think there is an issue with certain toys, videogames and movies which promote war and militarism to children at a young age, entrenching a culture of militarism, state-worship and national chauvinism in youth. This goes much further than video games as well - military recruiters are trying to get to kids earlier (even using video games like America's Army to do it), and things like airshows are a massive patriotic display of the military equipment used to unleash devastation on many people.

Also, interesting link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29417231/

I agree to an extent. However, I would add that the problem is not so much violence per se in videogames, but rather militarism--the glorification of State violence. A hypothetical violent videogame that portrayed a revolution and condemned State violence might actually be a positive thing.

EDIT: Which is basically what you were saying anyway.

[Demogorgon]

Yeah, I do think using entertainment to promote militarism is appalling, but that is a seperate question from whether violent crime can be attributed to videogames or whatever. Promoting national chauvinism will lead to support for war, but I don't think the violence itself will do so, nor will a violent game or film that does not promote militarism give any inclination towards such things. Indeed there are a few games-and many films-that use considerable levels of violence to give anti-military or anti-war messages and they tend to be very effective.

[Demogorgon]

Oy vey, comrade! What a mistake I've made! You're actually luring out reactionaries in disguise.
Oh will you give it a fucking rest. At least he is stimulating some discussion.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Okay, I don't want to be the Jack Thompson of RevLeft, but I do think there is an issue with certain toys, videogames and movies which promote war and militarism to children at a young age, entrenching a culture of militarism, state-worship and national chauvinism in youth. This goes much further than video games as well - military recruiters are trying to get to kids earlier (even using video games like America's Army to do it), and things like airshows are a massive patriotic display of the military equipment used to unleash devastation on many people.

Military toys and games were my favourite as a kid, second only to science fiction. I enjoy going to airshows. I don't see it as a big deal.


Also, interesting link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29417231/

What a load of crap. Obeying the "Rules of War" in the virtual world is a surefire way of getting your ass handed to you.

[danyboy27]

i think the amount of violence in a video game for a kid wouldnt make a difference if its would be properly supervized by their tutors.

if parents would take time with their children to explain them that its just a game and explain them the mature stfuff that is in the game, there would be no problem at all, in fact i think it could help to their education.

[Il Medico]

*Bam* I just killed an imaginary enemy. Oh dear! Now I'm going to become a mass murder in real life. Woe is me!:rolleyes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmwB-yz7PxM

[Jazzratt]

After playing Guitar Hero for a bit I was fairly interested in trying to take up a stringed instrument of some kind, but I couldn't be arsed. That's really about it for being affected by computer games. I've played violent games since my dad showed me the first Doom game as a kid and have yet to be convicted of any sort of violent crime. On the other hand I don't think I've been influenced away from violence by the games, just as games like Civilisation have not influenced me one way or the other on the vaibility of autocratic rulership or games like Railroad Tycoon have not influenced me to be either pro- or anti- big business.

Absent violent computer games those pre-disposed to voilence could find plenty of outlets and/or fuel for their agressive fantasies. Minature wargaming, roleplaying games, vast swathes of literature, plenty of films and even theatre center on or are entirely dedicated to violence. I doubt that the sort of fuck up that goes out and shoots people "because of games" is any less likely to because of these other forms of entertainment; in fact there was a time in the late 70s and early 80s that a rash of "RPG killings" was reported, the claims made then [and even as recently as 2007 when a boy used a "D&D defence" after stabbing his mate to death] echo the claims made about computer games today.

The claim in the OP (as I understand it) that games decrease violence are interesting but I think unlikely given the only possible reason for it would be the games' inherent catharsis. I'd be interested to see it plotted against other changes in popular culture and the day-to-day environment of the average person.

[Decolonize The Left]

*Bam* I just killed an imaginary enemy. Oh dear! Now I'm going to become a mass murder in real life. Woe is me!:rolleyes:

pmwB-yz7PxM

Whoever was actually playing that game needs to get out more. That doesn't look remotely interesting or entertaining - in fact, it looks like a complete waste of time.

- August

[RGacky3]

*Bam* I just killed an imaginary enemy. Oh dear! Now I'm going to become a mass murder in real life. Woe is me!

I don't think anyone hs ever said that.


Oy vey, comrade! What a mistake I've made! You're actually luring out reactionaries in disguise.

Stop being a douchebag.

About the video games, there have been studies showing corrolation, and the military does use video games of sorts to get people phsychologically ready. So there may be a connect between violent video games and aggressiveness.

However to blame video games for murder or vilence is rediculous. There are tons of factors that go into someones personality.

[danyboy27]

Whoever was actually playing that game needs to get out more. That doesn't look remotely interesting or entertaining - in fact, it looks like a complete waste of time.

- August

well, i found it verry entertaining.

[LeninKobaMao]

Whoever was actually playing that game needs to get out more. That doesn't look remotely interesting or entertaining - in fact, it looks like a complete waste of time.

- August

It is actually incredibly fun. And I think blood and gore just adds to the realistic experience of video games and after completing most of the games in the GTA series I can say that I don't want to go outside and murder everyone. I actually find it quite relaxing jumping on my Xbox and shooting a few people up after school on GTA to let off some steam and relax for a couple of hours.

[RedBlackFreedom]

In Germany right-wing politicians try to ban so called "killer games". It's just another cheap attempt to get votes by (mostly) older people.
I'm now playing a lot, but sometimes one of these "killer games" and actually I don't wanna start a rampage at my school.
Instead of banning these games they should think about why such cruel rampages (like the last one in Winnenden, you might heard about it) happen. More school psychologists would be an good idea, but instead of doing so, nothing happened.
But that's how politics often works...

[Revy]

It's a game. they're 3D models driven by code. not actual people. A person who would get "ideas" from those games is someone who already has violent tendencies.

[RedBlackFreedom]

It's a game. they're 3D models driven by code. not actual people. A person who would get "ideas" from those games is someone who already has violent tendencies.
Exactly and this has other reasons. This is why I think that school school psychologists could help some of these people.

[danyboy27]

It is actually incredibly fun. And I think blood and gore just adds to the realistic experience of video games and after completing most of the games in the GTA series I can say that I don't want to go outside and murder everyone. I actually find it quite relaxing jumping on my Xbox and shooting a few people up after school on GTA to let off some steam and relax for a couple of hours.

seriously, its a lot more better with alchool and friends, starting stupid contest of how much peopel you can snipe from a rooftop before the cops get you.