are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

[Relambrien]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

Well, let me attempt to delve into the thought process of the type of person I'm describing.

Situation: "We have this situation that's pretty bad right now. Here's what you can do to help."
Person: "Hmm, if things are this bad, then I should help out. I guess I'll do all this; if it helps, then I'll go for it." The person then goes and does what is recommended.

Later...

Situation: "Thanks to the efforts of the people, the situation's improving. Keep up the good work, everyone."
Person: "Oh good, it isn't as bad anymore. That means I don't have to work as hard, since the situation is better than it was. Now I don't have to worry about making sure I do what I can to help with the situation, since it's not as bad anymore. I'll probably help enough with just my daily activities." The person reverts to their activities before the problem arose.

As a result, the situation worsens once again as not enough is being done to improve it. The less of a problem there is, the less-inclined a person is to do something about the problem, regardless of the reason the problem isn't as bad as it was.

[devonin]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

"Thanks to the efforts of the people, the situation is improving. As long as people continue to put forward this effort, the situation will continue to improve. Keep up the good work. Your actions are making a difference."

Seems okay to me.

[Relambrien]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

And yet, few will actually follow that directive. Since the situation isn't as bad as it was, there is no longer an "urgent" feeling; helping out seems far less necessary and therefore less people will do so.

[devonin]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

But can you not argue that if the situation isn't as bad as it was, that people -ought- to notbe made to continue to put the same effort into it? Everyone will make a decision. They'll see how the situation has changed, and if that is good enough for them, they can revert back to their old behaviors, but I suspect most people will learn -something- from the original effort, so even if they went far overboard when it was a major crisis, some of the precautions will stick with them as sensible, thus making them more cautious in general.

[Relambrien]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

But can you not argue that if the situation isn't as bad as it was, that people -ought- to notbe made to continue to put the same effort into it? Everyone will make a decision. They'll see how the situation has changed, and if that is good enough for them, they can revert back to their old behaviors, but I suspect most people will learn -something- from the original effort, so even if they went far overboard when it was a major crisis, some of the precautions will stick with them as sensible, thus making them more cautious in general.

I can understand this. Allow me to further explain my thoughts with math.

Imagine, if you will, two graphs, one labeled "Population cautiousness vs time" and one labeled "Situation severity vs time." Each would follow an oscillating sine curve, with the former graph's crest at the latter graph's trough. As time passes, each curve would oscillate to the sinusoidal axis.

Here's a rough pictographic representation, though my graph-drawing skills are exceedingly limited. It should be enough to get the point across though.



The situation levels out over time as people become used to its occurrence and act accordingly, and, as you state, a few continue to be cautious each cycle. Of course, this is assuming little or no outside influence, and other events can drastically affect what I'm discussing, but you get the idea.

[Tokzic]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

I find it hilarious how long this topic has been bouncing to the top of CT when there has been barely any word against the OP, and the only discussion has been about related topics that really deserve their own threads.

Admin Edit: Stay on topic.

[devonin]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

CT is fun like that. The discussion can evolve and change as the pages go by. That isn't really a huge issue. When there's a big jump in topic all at once, there should usually be a new thread about it. If there's another jump, or this new topic gets really in depth, I'll split off some new threads.

[Relambrien]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

I find it hilarious how long this topic has been bouncing to the top of CT when there has been barely any word against the OP, and the only discussion has been about related topics that really deserve their own threads.

You may recognize rule 25: Relation to the original topic decreases with every single post.

That said, I don't really care whether the debate is on-topic, I just like debating. So as long as there's something I'm interested in to debate about, I'm happy.

[Cheesy74]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

http://www.pointlesswasteoftime.com/games/censorship.html

That is all.

However, if you can give me any evidence that actual, physical violence is inspired by violent games, as opposed to thoughts of violence, let me know. Because that Department of Justice graph is making a strong case to the contrary. (I know, coincidence, cause, I'll use the same arguments David Wong did.)

[E-x-Treme]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

This is an interesting subject that has been on my mind a lot lately. I really believe the decision is up to the disgression of the parents. If a kid is mature enough to be able to watch people getting bloodied up/shot/grotesquely injured/etc. and realize that their is a difference between seeing it on screen and doing it in real life, they're probably mature enough to play an M-rated game. However, if parents think their kids are young, innocent, and probably not sensible enough to realize the difference, they aren't ready for violent games.

[XCraigeX]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

I feel it depends on the maturity level of the child. For example, one such as myself - who i consider most mature for my age (better be o_o) - would not be as idiotic as to think that smashing a woman's head in with a baseball bat would be funny. However, some children may think this.

Not all of them are like that for no reason though. It could be due to a bad childhood experience - e.g. my dad hits my mum so maybe its ok if i hit that woman across the road like in the game.

Or possibily the violent games could have a more meaningful effect on children with slight or severe mental issues. For example - i remember reading an article about a child of 15 or so who could no longer distinguish reality from illusion and thought he himself was in the game known as "San Andreas". He did some horrific things before being taken to a mental clinic where i hope he is getting the help he needs. This goes to show that perhaps the violence in the games could trigger a mental illness which then causes the child to act violently or irrationally.

[devonin]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

For example, one such as myself - who i consider most mature for my age

The point you seem to miss is that the vast VAST majority of kids between the ages of 10 and 17 think they are very mature for their age, especially when they want something they aren't allowed to have because of their age.

[XCraigeX]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

perhaps, but i suggest you re - read my point. It dosen't matter what they intitially think - i was just stating that a mature child would not consider vulgar things such as decapitating someone humane.

[D.J. Cristo]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

A) You mean the youth of TODAY.

B) Perhaps, in a few instances, video games have been the cause of a portion of violent behavior in children, but this issue is being blown way out of proportion. What REALLY needs to be taken into account as factors of violence in children are the families they grow up with and the environment which surrounds them. Of course, some people are just plain psychotic too. Video games, however, cannot be used as a scapegoat for ALL violent behavior in children. I'm sick of seeing it being done. Everything that is wrong with a child is not caused by god-damned video games.

[Satan.]

Re: are violent video games ruining the youth of tomorrow

Yes. Video games are poisoning the youth of America. That's why I created them (50 Cent: Bullet Proof, Resident Evil, Teletubbies etc etc). I'm responsible for this. What's going to happen to me?

Mod Edit: You're going to never post in CT again, that's what.