xstation14
11-05-2007, 05:04 PM
Yeah, I had to write a speech for school so I chose video game violence. Tell me what you think:
Why It Is Easy To Blame Video Games
When the Virginia Tech shootings occurred, I knew that they would find some way to blame it on video games. No sooner then the morning after, Jack Thompson, the lawyer most known for crusading against video games, was giving his one reason why it was because of video games. Studies. Every time someone tries to prove their case all he can say is that studies proved it. While failing to mention the specifics of the studies, like how many people were involved or even what the studies were, he seems to hold his ground on almost every debate. The only thing worse then 32 dead and 40 wounded is someone exploiting it for their own gain.
Before going over the facts and instances, I am going to say why video games are such an easy target. The majority of video game players are minors and adults that don’t have much of a voice. They are not part of government, or political, or even paying attention to current events. Another reason is that players don’t have anyone to speak for them. Sure, they can hold their own, but they are all separate. They also seem to enjoy insulting people more then getting facts.
These facts are obvious. I and everyone I know who plays video games have not hurt anyone in their entire life. I don’t know who this unnamed company found, but they sure must have been hard to find. Another reason is that people will always be violent. Video games aren’t going to make world peace. After all their interviews, they couldn’t find one person who said the Virginia Tech shooter played video games. He most likely hadn’t picked up a game in his life.
It isn’t only easy for press and lawyers to blame games. Police can say that the video games did it, case closed. They don’t have to search for their weapons dealers, or find a mental problem. Video games are all the closure they need. The best explanation was that the gun appeared out of thin air and the games enraged the shooter so much he went on a killing spree.
Parents find an easy way out of parenting, also. Instead of looking at what their child is doing, they can say that the store retailer allowed them to buy the game. First of all, I work in a video game store and it is against store rules to sell mature rated games to a minor. Selling them results in an automatic firing. Store owners also have to read aloud why it is rated M to the parents before it can be sold, and they have to ask anyone under 35 for their driver’s license.
The most common reason why kids get M-rated games is because parents are in a hurry and ignore what the retailer says. So instead of blaming themselves, video games are a much easier target. With all the problems in America today, it is hard to believe that video games are such a huge problem. People are comparing games to narcotics and knives. Maybe if they did some research, they could save a lot of time.
Why It Is Easy To Blame Video Games
When the Virginia Tech shootings occurred, I knew that they would find some way to blame it on video games. No sooner then the morning after, Jack Thompson, the lawyer most known for crusading against video games, was giving his one reason why it was because of video games. Studies. Every time someone tries to prove their case all he can say is that studies proved it. While failing to mention the specifics of the studies, like how many people were involved or even what the studies were, he seems to hold his ground on almost every debate. The only thing worse then 32 dead and 40 wounded is someone exploiting it for their own gain.
Before going over the facts and instances, I am going to say why video games are such an easy target. The majority of video game players are minors and adults that don’t have much of a voice. They are not part of government, or political, or even paying attention to current events. Another reason is that players don’t have anyone to speak for them. Sure, they can hold their own, but they are all separate. They also seem to enjoy insulting people more then getting facts.
These facts are obvious. I and everyone I know who plays video games have not hurt anyone in their entire life. I don’t know who this unnamed company found, but they sure must have been hard to find. Another reason is that people will always be violent. Video games aren’t going to make world peace. After all their interviews, they couldn’t find one person who said the Virginia Tech shooter played video games. He most likely hadn’t picked up a game in his life.
It isn’t only easy for press and lawyers to blame games. Police can say that the video games did it, case closed. They don’t have to search for their weapons dealers, or find a mental problem. Video games are all the closure they need. The best explanation was that the gun appeared out of thin air and the games enraged the shooter so much he went on a killing spree.
Parents find an easy way out of parenting, also. Instead of looking at what their child is doing, they can say that the store retailer allowed them to buy the game. First of all, I work in a video game store and it is against store rules to sell mature rated games to a minor. Selling them results in an automatic firing. Store owners also have to read aloud why it is rated M to the parents before it can be sold, and they have to ask anyone under 35 for their driver’s license.
The most common reason why kids get M-rated games is because parents are in a hurry and ignore what the retailer says. So instead of blaming themselves, video games are a much easier target. With all the problems in America today, it is hard to believe that video games are such a huge problem. People are comparing games to narcotics and knives. Maybe if they did some research, they could save a lot of time.