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It's only semi autobiographical
Thursday, July 29, 2004
First, a topical one. The computer game 'Manhunt' has been taken off the shelves in several large stores, because the mother of a murdered buy feels that it is directly responsible for his death.
The argument, as I understand it, is that by doing things in the game, and being rewarded for them, people assume the same applies to real life. 'The boundaries become blurred.'
Ok, lets review some of my favourite computer games shall we?
Grand Theft Auto series: Tasks include car theft, running down pedestrians for fun and profit, beating people up, and driving recklessly. I own a car, I drive it regularly. I have never run anyone down, or beaten up an old lady for money. I have never robbed a bank, or acted as a getaway driver. Hmm, well, perhaps this game is a fluke...
Counterstrike: A personal favourite of mine, involves killing your opponents with all manner of guns. Encourages killing as many opponents as possible to get money for the purchase of new weapons. I have access to several rifles and ammunition, being a member of a rifle club. I have never shot at anything other than targets. Strange...
Mortal Kombat: In its time, one of the most reviled games ever known, actually caused violent riots... by the protesters against violence in video games... Encourages hand to hand combat, the killing of your enemies in gruesome ways, and in the latest game, use of swords tto dismember opponents. I have several swords, for both ornamental and sports use, I also take part in martial arts lessons. I have yet to tear out someones heart, then chop off their head as a grizly trophy.
Hitman: As the name suggests, the killing of people for money. Tools include piano wire, pistols and rifles, and machine guns, shotguns and bombs. I have not bombed anyone, shot anyone or strangled anyone.
So, going purely on emperical data, for anything less than a 50% statistical test, we can not conclude that computer games cause violence.
But wait! From the mouth of an 'expert' on the subject, and I paraphrase:
"Games like this could cause someone who is already disturbed to be pushed over the edge."
Hmm, well true I suppose, but a child who is disturbed enough to smash someones head in with a claw hammer strikes me as the type who does not need that much persuading... Perhaps it is true that this incident would not have happened if not for 'Man hunt' (though I doubt it) but I am sure that it would only have been a matter of time... perhaps instead of spending time on the computer, he had been playing cricket. Someone throws a bad ball and it hits him in the face, he gets angry, are you telling me he would not take his head off with the cricket bat?
Now I'm pissed off, and I'm going to play a violent computer game.
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