[url]http://www.cbc.ca/programguide/program/index.jsp?program=Gamer+Nation[/url]

Was on CBC last night. Part 2 is on Feb 8th. I didn't get a chance to tape it, but it was an interesting show.

It tried to do a balanced approach to the "video game revolution". Part one examined Korean "pro" gaming, and how most pros get hired as stock traders when their gaming career is done.

They looked at Sims/Spore creator, and talked about virtual worlds/feeling empowered. Why teens love it (explosions, excitement, the ability to do things you're normally not allowed to, control).

They looked at propaganda games, such as the one distributed in the Middle East where you start as a protester in Gaza, and gradually acquire weapons to fight the Isreali army.

They talked about America's Army, how it's used to stimulate interest in joining the army, and how simulators are used to improve teamwork and situational awareness, as well as train soldiers how to properly use equipment.

They looked at brain chemistry, this part surprised me, while they mentioned that activitiy in the "aggressive" part of the brain increased, they were clear there was no proven link between aggressive thoughts and behavior.

Henry Jenkins mentioned how games are the latest trend for teens, because they are always the latest adopters of new technology. Comparisons to books, comics, and rock music.

They briefly touched on parental fears, and talked about Columbine, and Paducah, and others, stating that some have claimed that the kids were influenced by the games. It was claimed that Mike Carneal (Paducah) only shot a gun once previously before shooting 5 people in the head and 3 in the torso (3 died). (That made me rage against the TV, [url]http://www.michaelcarneal.com/[/url] has the truth, that he had been practising with guns for at least a year, starting with lessons through 4H) They also leave out that the first 3 shots were taken slowly, the next 5 were in rapid succession, all at a prayer group that was standing in a large group in the hallway, so sitting ducks.

They had a section with ol' JT, but they didn't let him take credit for "predicting" anything, and he mostly just voiced parental concerns, and state his "interactive makes it more dangerous" speal. He also claimed that games cause you to lose touch with what makes you a unique human (face) so that's why "gamers" aim for the face (which is bull, any credible psychologist will tell you they aim for the face only if they truly hate the person behind the face, or don't see them as human at all, because they're blinded by rage, see people who go spastic and slash up their gf/bf's face...)

Followed immediately by Henry Jenkins stating that adults holding such opinions demonstrate a complete cluelessness about teenagers, and how those opinions are diminishing as people who grew up as gamers enter the workforce.

They also touched on all the failed legislation, and how some countries have banned certain games altogether, even making it illegal to own them. No mention of ratings systems.