Revisiting video game violence

 

More than fifteen years ago, I was watching a news report that discussed a property (something of a private ranch) that had set up hunting tours where people would be allowed to essentially log on using an online account. And, yes, participants would be able to fire a gun using the account and without being there in person.

In recent days, while looking over tons of older material from folders of written notes and all sorts of storage, I keep finding myself returning to an effort that was built upon observations and thoughts concerning such a hunting trip.

In its original form, I debated how this might be the moment where video game violence arguments finally had a bit of evidence that seemed to make some sense to me. Hunting from the comfort of your laptop? This would provide an actual example of being able to strike a key, the result being a literal pulling of a trigger, and ultimately a potential death would take place that couldn’t be reversed by hitting a reset button and starting the game again.

For years now people have been making an argument that video games, song lyrics and peer pressure all bring about violence in teens. In virtually all of those cases I say it’s rubbish.

I’ve read many of them. I’ve found different sources of information. Done my homework and invested some time. Not a deep dive into each and every case… but just about. All of these people claiming that the games create thoughtless, violent acts is a bit of a stretch for me… especially when the stories again and again and again (not always, but often) have other factors that seem to be getting tossed aside because they don’t support the video game created violence narrative. Such side issues may involve residences with unsecured loaded guns, children that have also been involved in repeated juvenile crimes, and other assorted situations that seem much more significant when it comes to establishing cause or opportunity than the disc found in the CD player.

I was involved in raising children in my home. The kids played lots of video games... and part of that included violent video games that came with warning labels. Both of the boys growing up around us are very talented artistically… art, music, etc. Both of them got good grades, have solid sets of amazing friends, and have settled into responsible relationships and created safe homes for their families. Both of them understand that in the real world they can’t drive my car into a wall, drink too much beer, or shoot a person with a gun, turn the game off and back on, and suddenly everything will go back to normal. They know there are repercussions for actions and events.

I’m not writing this to examine (or reexamine) what does or doesn’t influence a child though. That’s an argument for a completely different time. What frustrates me is how people tend to present information that supports their argument while completely ignoring anything that might create an alternative interpretation of reality.

This hunting story? I’ve heard some of the defenses of this activity. It allows someone that could be challenged with a disability or other considerations the opportunity to hunt. And that is something that I have no experience with or information about.

I don’t personally hunt. Not my thing. I don’t have any problem with it though. I know several people that do hunt, usually using the results to feed their families while possessing a massive amount of respect for wildlife. They take great care of care their weapons, stress the importance of proper use and safety, and understand that hunting is a serious endeavor.

Laws have been passed banning the sale of violent video games to minors. People are genuinely concerned by what exposure to violent movies, video games and such does to our youth. In a way I’m fine with that and can agree with it. I do believe parents should take some responsibility when it comes to what their children are watching, listening to, and doing. And I do believe that retailers should be forced in some ways to pay attention to something more than acting only because the customer has the money.

But we can’t pretend that this is all the fault of the movies or video games. As a society we’ve just about completely lost sight of accountability. We have plenty of people making accusations and pointing fingers. We have plenty of people willing to blame someone else. What we don’t have is people taking responsibility for their actions.

 

If you have any comments or questions, please e-mail me at Bob@inmybackpack.com