Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few weeks
you will have heard about the recent shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School
which is the most recent of these terrible incidents. Some claim that it is the
fault of violent video games. Some claim it was down to mental illness. While I
do agree that it is relevant to have a conversation about the state of mental
illness treatment in the United States, this thread of discussion seems to be
taking the spotlight away from the clear lack of gun control in the United
States and the clear prejudice in the media against the game entertainment
industry that happens to feature some violence. In 2010 alone, there were
104,000 gun related deaths and injuries. Can anyone else see the problem here?
Because the ‘right to bear arms’ is part of the constitution, many are willing
to defend this right to the end, as seen with the National Rifle Association’s
Alex Jones:
On top of this VERY LOUD debate, the National Rifle
Association has declared videogames to blame for violent mass shootings, and
then RELEASE THEIR OWN SHOOTING GAME for iPad and iPhone. (http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/games/nra-video-game-sparks-anger-20130116-2ctpv.html)
…
(Srsly guys??)
President Obama has made an appeal for research to be made
to determine whether there is a link between video game violence, violence in
the media and real-life violence. The outcome of this research could be the end
of gaming as the scapegoat for all violent crime. Who knows, perhaps it’s down
to the fact that every night we get the details of someone’s body found in the
river. Or it could be attributed to the way we idolize Die Hard’s John McClane
walking away from an explosion leaving a trail of cartridges. The other outcome
of such a study could be that video games actually do result in violent
actions. If it does, what will happen? Age restrictions? No more GTA? International
Tetris leagues only?
Even before the verdict comes out, if a child is virtually
popping caps without learning the consequences of such actions in reality, we’re
gonna have a bad time. But does that translate into reality? Whether or not
game violence is linked to mass killings, I feel I can safely say that after
playing GTA or Saints Row that I have no desire to stab, maim or shoot anyone,
and this probably goes for the majority or we’d all be dead by now. Actually, I
feel my most violent after playing Happy Fall. Fin.
Sophie McGuinness
I'm glad someone posted about this! I had no idea Obama made that appeal for research, hopefully it'll shut down that blame game once and for all. Although can you imagine if research actually finds that video games ARE at fault?
ReplyDeleteI do find it interesting though that you said that talks on mental illness are taking the necessary spotlight away from gun control issues. The way I see it, the reason that there has been such a focus on mental illness in the Sandy Hook case is because there has been a lack of focus on mental health in past massacres. I also feel that the link between violent video games and these massacres is more about mental health and psychology than anything else.