That was interesting. I am reminded of places like Japan, where violent entertainment is not by any means discouraged, and yet real life random, violent crime is so rare. And although there is evidence that children tend to mimic the violence they see on a TV screen, some communities see the fake violence of computer games etc to be cathartic.
(The original idea of catharsis through entertainment, as proposed by Aristotle, was to work through negative emotions without resorting to disruptive -- is that the right word? -- behaviour. And I agree. Who's to say that the "heightened emotion" observed in experimental conditions is not an example of this catharsis in action?)
I like your article very much. Very thought provoking.
Thank you. I just get so mad sometimes, with all these false accusations, lies, half-truths, comparisons to other incidents, and lack of hindsight to things like television and radio, and mainly, I hate Jack Thompsn, for being a truly sick and twisted human being, insulting a community in mourning with the death(suicide) of their friend, whom he made implications of that he was going to hell. Ignoring a letter from people wishing to open a neutral dialouge, which was complemented by a floral arrangement, then using the flowers as a political toy. Threatening the sender of those flowers with legal action, by comments the sender made to a gaming magazine regarding what Jack had written about him having collaborated with Take-Two on sending the flowers. Launched several un-successful suits, and faced possible dis-embarment, was the only Florida lawyer who was required to take a test to prove his sanity, advocated against video games all over, and took credit for a stock-holder revolt in Take Two. At Virginia Tech, before anyone even knew the shooter's name, Jack Thompson was already blaming video games. He never stops talking about how he predicted Columbine, and claims that God speaks to him. He has done much, much more, and has made several enemies. He is also prejudiced about; Muslims, the Japanese, CEOs, and of course, gamers.
If gamers truly were the monster he makes us out to be, he would've been dead ages ago. After all, if we're a collection of non-sentient, idiotic, death-loving, violent, unpredictable, raging beasts who own guns and can kill without even increasing our heartbeats, I think one lawyer in Florida wouldn't be much of a challenge, and a prime target. He's not dead because we aren't what he claims we are.
So you know what I do to relieve the stress and anger of this entire situation, and this horrible man, other than write rants on it?
I play video games. XD
Very *** good mate. I did like the poetry too.
Thank you! I appreciate your thoughts and opinions on this.
I like writing poetry. Sometimes, it'll juts pop into my head, and I'll think: "Yes, this is good." Then write it down. Actually, I love writing poetry.
I've read it. Don't remember anything of it, though. Now I can't access it (via the posted link), to read it again. That's odd. The Florida guy you're referring to; is that the guy that goes on tv explaining that video games is murder simulators? Think I might have seen him on Swedish tv post-Columbine.
Well, the link worked after all.
To end all debate. Regroup the forces. Monsters are made! Stop making monsters! Start making a society that cares for its new individuals; the children is our only chance to get it right (quote, Andrew H. Vachss).
Very Well Put, Joeker!
Tomas
That's the guy.
Well... wow. I didn't even know I was quoting someone! ^.^'
Thanks for your comments! =D
I wrote "The Children is our only chance to get it right", which is a slight paraphrase of the title of a book by Andrew H. Vachss; "Another chance to get it right: a Children's book for Adults". More about him can be found at The Zero, or at
http://www.vachss.com which is his official web site.