Dear Media,

[thesilentman]

I'm going to ask you something to the best of my ability. I'm going to try to be nice. I'm going to say something critical. I'm going to say something that will make you outraged.

Kindly shut the fuck up please.

We're done with this school shooting business. Let us move on.

Stop blaming video games for shit that you have no idea about. Video games are just as valid a form of entertainment as books, movies, and music are. I can look at some games and call them art; can you? Did you personally know the

Stop saying that violence is the reason that you're banning them. Doesn't explain why the hell it's acceptable to watch a borderline R-rated movie, but that video games of any (ESRB, or PEGI) rating will corrupt our minds.

Stop saying that violence leads to more violence. Bullshit. I don't believe you've talked to anyone with PTSD. I don't believe that you fired a real gun expecting the effects in a video games.

Stop saying that video games started a chain reaction, so that you can advocate banning guns. Banning guns and going into that debate is essentially pointless, as the Second Amendment of our fine Constitution states that it's perfectly fine to bear arms. By sane people that is, nevermind that a good amount of people in this country are idiots.

All of what you're saying is lazy bullshit whipped up to stir the masses, and I've had enough.

Regards from a disgruntled nonconformist unhappy with the United States,
[user]thesilentman[/user]

/letter

Right then. I'm goddamn sick of the media going nuts over video games. I know that this happened in the past multiple times, but this time, it's gone way too far. Way too far. There is no correlation between video games and mental conditions, okay? I don't like the fact that the media has scapegoated video games for too long

I've tried my best to keep it in, but I've had enough. Anyone else feel the same?

 

[Shinsei-J]

I just spoke with Media about this, she said "NO" kicked me in the balls and ran off blaming Obama.

I feel the exact same though.
That's why I now live without tv and try to avoid any sort of media besides unconventional ones.
The video game scapegoat will eventually be replaced with something else so I'm just ignoring it until then.

 

[Rawne1980]

They didn't actually have any evidence or proof that the "witches" were actually witches at all, but they burned them at the stake anyway.

Of course they had proof.

Some of those witches had cats.

Not just any cats but black ones, with eyes that watch you. My wife also has a black cat .... I have a pile of wood in the shed just in case.

They also had fool proof methods of finding witches.

Drop them in water, if they float .. burn the fucker .. if they drown, they are dead but they died with people knowing they weren't a witch.

 

[krazykidd]

Umm i think it's perfectly reasonable that videogames can and does affect people . Every action has a reaction . That's a fact . Now , that being said , not everyone is prone to violence , nor is everyone influenced by violence in entertainment media ( such as violent movies , music and games ). But some people are . Granted , a lot of prople commit shooting without an external influence . But you can't deny the possibility that a select few are . That being said , should violent videogames be banned? No . But to say that violent games ( or music or any form of entertainement ) does not influence those who are prone to violence would be false . Humans are highly influenceable . That is a fact . Violent videogames can easily influence an mentally unstable person . Just like a child can be influenced by seeing violence on a daily basis . Did these people have psychological problems that caused then to act in such a way? Most likely . But to say the violent videogames had " ABSOLUTELY " no effect on the person may not be entirely accurate , given what we know about human psyche.

I can honestly understand why people would assume videogames cause violence . While that assumtion may be wrong , since the game did not directly influenced/caused the person to act out in such a way . I can'tdeny that it's certainly possible/likely that videogames INDIRECTLY contributed in such an act . This is from the percpectivd of a gamer that can objectively look at these situations .

Came at me bros .

 

[aba1]

I just spoke with Media about this, she said "NO" kicked me in the balls and ran off blaming Obama.

lmao I know right it drives me insane that people seem to think the media is some kind of organized group with unified opinions and beliefs. This whole topic is stupid since video games are a media outlet themselves and are a part of the media.

So much face palm.

 

[Dangit2019]

Well, your kind of preaching to the choir here. I doubt that anyone will object to this on a video-game focused site.

 

[Ryotknife]

really? this incident involving video games seems pretty beign compared to the Jack Thompson crusade 5-10 years ago.

Also, the media knows that video games are a hot button topic. On the one side you have the "back in my day" people who are opposed to videogames because they grew up without them and turned out fine (in their opinion) so clearly its videogames. On the other side you have...well people who play video games.

I dont think that the media "cares" one way or another. They just want to poke a bunch of hornet's nests and watch in glee as the resulting chaos causes their ratings to soar.

 

[DrunkOnEstus]

really? this incident involving video games seems pretty beign compared to the Jack Thompson crusade 5-10 years ago.

Also, the media knows that video games are a hot button topic. On the one side you have the "back in my day" people who are opposed to videogames because they grew up without them and turned out fine (in their opinion) so clearly its videogames. On the other side you have...well people who play video games.

I dont think that the media "cares" one way or another. They just want to poke a bunch of hornet's nests and watch in glee as the resulting chaos causes their ratings to soar.

It's also important to note that video games are a competitor to many media outlets. It's in their interests to paint them in a bad light, maybe convince some parents that they shouldn't but their kids these things. Some games have outsold the box office, books, DVDs, etc. Shareholders and Rupert Murdoch aren't fond of that, I'm sure. Also yes, the vast audience of "non-players" who might feel that the TV is validating their opinion about video games. Follow the money.

 

[Not Matt]

Look I am gonna let you in on a secret. The people working in media. Are f***ing assholes.

The reason they won't move on from the shootings or videosgames are because those to are both easy to write or report on and it sells. The villainization of videosgames are something the media do out of fear. It is mostly journalists that doesn't have an inside perspective on the subject an like a cornered animal, they go berserk for.
"videosgames makes you aggressive" ............ Show me a medium that doesn't and I will lay down.
Parents fear videosgames, so when a picture of a ps3 with a Hitler mustache is on the cover they will buy it like it was the most beautiful thing they have ever seen. Which gives the press. More money. That's why there are so many articles about it in one magazine alone. Money
You're never gonna hear about the good things in gaming like the education value or penny arcade's child's play

 

[capper42]

Video games are just as valid a form of entertainment as books, movies, and music are. I can look at some games and call them art; can you?

You say that like the media never blamed books, movies or music for anything.

 

[thesilentman]

They didn't actually have any evidence or proof that the "witches" were actually witches at all, but they burned them at the stake anyway.

Of course they had proof.

Some of those witches had cats.

Not just any cats but black ones, with eyes that watch you. My wife also has a black cat .... I have a pile of wood in the shed just in case.

They also had fool proof methods of finding witches.

Drop them in water, if they float .. burn the fucker .. if they drown, they are dead but they died with people knowing they weren't a witch.

Another way to check for that is to weigh the witch, and if she weighs heavier than a duck, she's a witch.

[sub][sub][sub]No one gets the reference? No one?[/sub][/sub][/sub]

Umm i think it's perfectly reasonable that videogames can and does affect people . Every action has a reaction . That's a fact . Now , that being said , not everyone is prone to violence , nor is everyone influenced by violence in entertainment media ( such as violent movies , music and games ). But some people are . Granted , a lot of prople commit shooting without an external influence . But you can't deny the possibility that a select few are . That being said , should violent videogames be banned? No . But to say that violent games ( or music or any form of entertainement ) does not influence those who are prone to violence would be false . Humans are highly influenceable . That is a fact . Violent videogames can easily influence an mentally unstable person . Just like a child can be influenced by seeing violence on a daily basis . Did these people have psychological problems that caused then to act in such a way? Most likely . But to say the violent videogames had " ABSOLUTELY " no effect on the person may not be entirely accurate , given what we know about human psyche.

I can honestly understand why people would assume videogames cause violence . While that assumtion may be wrong , since the game did not directly influenced/caused the person to act out in such a way . I can'tdeny that it's certainly possible/likely that videogames INDIRECTLY contributed in such an act . This is from the percpectivd of a gamer that can objectively look at these situations .

Came at me bros .

I greatly agree with you. Video games and other media can influence people, but there is no correlation between violence and the frequency of violent media.

Sure, a kid may be tempted to use a gun after playing COD, but that doesn't mean that he'll be scared shitless firing one.

Well, your kind of preaching to the choir here. I doubt that anyone will object to this on a video-game focused site.

I'm more pissed at the fact that they focus on video games and only video games. It's pretty rare to see a controversy over books, but over video games? Yet another angry [insert person here] going about.

Video games are just as valid a form of entertainment as books, movies, and music are. I can look at some games and call them art; can you?

You say that like the media never blamed books, movies or music for anything.

Like I told [user]Dangit2019[/user], it's just that people choose to blame video games and forget about every other form of entertainment/information.

If a movie is controversial, "X movie is controversial." they'll say and move on.

Video games? "WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! That gunman played X. HE'S A KILLER!".

I dont think that the media "cares" one way or another. They just want to poke a bunch of hornet's nests and watch in glee as the resulting chaos causes their ratings to soar.

Really? Not from what it looks like to me. It seems as some of them are genuinely concerned, but are saying the wrong things that are making themselves look like idiots.

It's also important to note that video games are a competitor to many media outlets. It's in their interests to paint them in a bad light, maybe convince some parents that they shouldn't but their kids these things. Some games have outsold the box office, books, DVDs, etc. Shareholders and Rupert Murdoch aren't fond of that, I'm sure. Also yes, the vast audience of "non-players" who might feel that the TV is validating their opinion about video games. Follow the money.

That's a perspective I've never considered. But if that is so, why are they not treating all of the types of media the same. There's way more controversial topics hidden away in movies, books, and music than in video games. Heck, we have the decency to tell them that "Hey, just a heads up. We have X, Y, and Z. Make of that what you will.".

 

[kgpspyguy]

Ooohhoohh I like this guy.

 

[capper42]

Video games are just as valid a form of entertainment as books, movies, and music are. I can look at some games and call them art; can you?

You say that like the media never blamed books, movies or music for anything.

Like I told [user]Dangit2019[/user], it's just that people choose to blame video games and forget about every other form of entertainment/information.

If a movie is controversial, "X movie is controversial." they'll say and move on.

Video games? "WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! That gunman played X. HE'S A KILLER!".

That's not true, it's just an easy target because it's a relatively new medium that has recently greatly expanded it's influence. Let's not forget that after Columbine Marilyn Manson got a lot of shit, and people were calling for the destruction of his CDs and such.

 

[Agayek]

Of course they had proof.

Some of those witches had cats.

Not just any cats but black ones, with eyes that watch you. My wife also has a black cat .... I have a pile of wood in the shed just in case.

They also had fool proof methods of finding witches.

Drop them in water, if they float .. burn the fucker .. if they drown, they are dead but they died with people knowing they weren't a witch.

I always thought they weighed them against a duck...

 

[thesilentman]

Video games are just as valid a form of entertainment as books, movies, and music are. I can look at some games and call them art; can you?

You say that like the media never blamed books, movies or music for anything.

Like I told [user]Dangit2019[/user], it's just that people choose to blame video games and forget about every other form of entertainment/information.

If a movie is controversial, "X movie is controversial." they'll say and move on.

Video games? "WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! That gunman played X. HE'S A KILLER!".

That's not true, it's just an easy target because it's a relatively new medium that has recently greatly expanded it's influence. Let's not forget that after Columbine Marilyn Manson got a lot of shit, and people were calling for the destruction of his CDs and such.

True, but still doesn't explain why the media chooses to blatantly ignore the fact that there's violence is around us everyday.

Ooohhoohh I like this guy.

?

Uhhh, thanks? :-S

Of course they had proof.

Some of those witches had cats.

Not just any cats but black ones, with eyes that watch you. My wife also has a black cat .... I have a pile of wood in the shed just in case.

They also had fool proof methods of finding witches.

Drop them in water, if they float .. burn the fucker .. if they drown, they are dead but they died with people knowing they weren't a witch.

I always thought they weighed them against a duck...

OH. So it was a duck.

I'm tempted to go watch Monty Python again...

 

[octafish]

You get the media you deserve. Sensationalism sells and people buy it. If people wanted reasoned debate they would get it. They don't, they just want to have their fears and predjudices reinforced. Don't blame the Media, blame the people.

 

[fwiffo]

Umm i think it's perfectly reasonable that videogames can and does affect people . Every action has a reaction . That's a fact . Now , that being said , not everyone is prone to violence , nor is everyone influenced by violence in entertainment media ( such as violent movies , music and games ). But some people are . Granted , a lot of prople commit shooting without an external influence . But you can't deny the possibility that a select few are . That being said , should violent videogames be banned? No . But to say that violent games ( or music or any form of entertainement ) does not influence those who are prone to violence would be false . Humans are highly influenceable . That is a fact . Violent videogames can easily influence an mentally unstable person . Just like a child can be influenced by seeing violence on a daily basis . Did these people have psychological problems that caused then to act in such a way? Most likely . But to say the violent videogames had " ABSOLUTELY " no effect on the person may not be entirely accurate , given what we know about human psyche.

I can honestly understand why people would assume videogames cause violence . While that assumtion may be wrong , since the game did not directly influenced/caused the person to act out in such a way . I can'tdeny that it's certainly possible/likely that videogames INDIRECTLY contributed in such an act . This is from the percpectivd of a gamer that can objectively look at these situations .

Came at me bros .

In other words, 0.0000000000000000001 != 0

Is this what you are saying?

 

[Agayek]

True, but still doesn't explain why the media chooses to blatantly ignore the fact that there's violence is around us everyday.

You really want to know why video games are a common scapegoat?

Because they're new and the vast majority of the population are unfamiliar with them.

That's really all there is to it. It's happened with every new form of entertainment, from books to movies to music. When something new comes along, the older generation basically goes "I never had X when I was a kid, and I turned out great while kids today suck, therefore it must be the fault of X."

It has happened with every generation, and it will continue to happen into the future. Most likely, you yourself will be blaming the full-augmented-reality technology or whatever of the future for the corruption of the youth. It's human nature.

 

[TheDoctor455]

Yep, there's no evidence that violent video games are the cause of any of this.

tbh, it's a bit like the witch burnings of old.
They didn't actually have any evidence or proof that the "witches" were actually witches at all, but they burned them at the stake anyway.

Granted, this time it's not people being targeted directly here, but rather an entertainment medium. But the principle is the same.

I'd have to disagree there.

There is some difference.

The witch hunts were done by ENTIRELY by overzealous twats that thought killing witches would end the black plague or whatever. They burned people alive without even any evidence suggesting that witches were even real.

The videogame banning thing is not functioning on the same principle. It is following through with the same pattern that has plagued all new media from plays to novels to radio to movies to television. All of them have gone through this sort of bullshit.

As for the original letter...

needs some editing before sending it to news media.

1. get some sources to support your side of it.

2. Read your own letter out loud to yourself and proofread it. There are a number of grammatical errors that make it a confusing read, and you have a sentence that just stops about halfway through it.

 

[Wolf In A Bear Suit]

Yep my points exactly. Anymore of these witch hunts and I shall find a miscellaneous journalist and sap them with a fish. Preferably a cod, the fish of shame. It's shameful that so many "reputable" news sources jump on the bandwagon of unwarented criticism towards games, from experiments conducted on monkeys with guns.