Drunken Father Kills Son, Missing Videogame Blamed

[Gigano]

"Retarded drunken gunman murders son"
"Drunken man shoots son in neck"
"After 3-Hour Stand-Off, Alleged Murderer of Own Son Arrested"

All good headlines. But wait! A video game was within driving distance of the man at some point in the last week!

Perhaps they mentioned it happened over a video game to draw attention to the fair fact of how (sensationally) petty the reason for the murder of his own son was, which none of those headlines would immediately call out on. Had it happended over a lost cup of coffee or pack of cards, that probably would have been in the headline as well (I don't neccesarily agree with the OP on the the TV-remote thing - I think that would/should have made the headlines as well). Perhaps they should have included "drunken" in the headline too though.

That's not to say that the media (or this media in particular) isn't biased against video games, many media outlets are contributing to an unfounded moral panic (though I've seen none of it here so far), but like the laughable initial opposition to Jazz or Rock & Roll as dangerous new kinds of music, it will die out as more and more people become familiar with them, and discover that they aren't any more dangerous than anything out of Hollywood, and can be great fun.

I feel like, by cutting off the last half of my quote, you've missed what I was actually saying. But still, you are correct.

Sorry about that, I can see I didn't do your views justice. I agreed with the marketing observations completely, and had nothing to add to it, thus I didn't quote that part - Which on reflection I should have. My mistake.

 

[paragon1]

*massive facepalm*
Well isn't this new and different.

 

[ultracheeser]

Aren't videa games just the worst?

 

[quiet_samurai]

The media are chamos at putting the spin on words, don't be suprised. Especially with this, videogames are just one of the bad guys right now and any kind of involvement, no matter how small, with some sort of crime attracts accusing fingers. We'll get over it eventually, as a society.

 

[TheFacelessOne]

If they don't mention that the man was drunk at the time, I want to slap the writer and editor. With a spiked garden glove. Moving at the speed of light.

 

[Sylocat]

Look to Japan for the insane news stories involving sex, and America for the crazy news stories about violence...

 

[Pendragon9]

Stupid drunkard. Whatever was going through his mind while he was wasted, it could never justify murder. It never does.

I hope he rots in jail. And hopefully he can PUT DOWN THE BEER. It caused the shooting, not the game. I mean, come on.

 

[Romicron]

Redundant quote is redundant

Let me quickly correct you on one thing. Even in Texas, there is such a thing as a GUN Law. A gun is actually pretty legally hard to get. I live in Alabama and my boyfriend wanted to buy a pistol, his background info (yes, they check) was solid, but he didn't have good credit and could not purchase a gun.

Etc.

I meant "New gun laws", but your point is taken. Sorry if I got a bit too stereotypical.

 

[oppp7]

It's great when people like this give us video gamers such a great reputation...

 

[Chicago Ted]

This was just the trigger, not the cause.

 

[ArcWinter]

If the kid played videogames well, he would have known to use a Stimpak or Medkit and then use his Unarmed skill to knock away the gun.

 

[theultimateend]

So basically Alcohol was likely the main catalyst but they won't blame it because it is a well established industry with an acceptable level of yearly casualties.

Look to Japan for the insane news stories involving sex, and America for the crazy news stories about violence...

Like I said in that breast article.

The Japanese are rushing headlong into fantastic Orgies with robots and happiness. We mock the shit out of them.

Americans however are rushing headlong into extreme conservatism, illiteracy, and all sorts of alcohol assisted murders...also incessant mocking of Japan.

If I had to choose between an orgy with hyper realistic nympho robots or being shot to death by my father I would fly like astroboy into that orgy.

 

[Bob the Average]

Hold on you mention 'rampant gun culture' as a potential cause, while it is tragic that someone died the gun is not at fault. I can assure you the gun did not Posses him and make him shoot his son. if he didn't have a gun he would have probably got a knife from the kitchen or just put up his fists.

 

[Bilbo536]

I love how the story seems to completely dismiss the use of alcohol and household guns as factors. It barely mentions it. That should be the top issue here: too much alcohol + houshold firearms = BAD! If the topic of the argument between the family had been anything, ANYTHING, else it would have been ignored. If it was about a missing book, or a stapler, or a pet, nobody would have paid it a second thought.

 

[FROGGEman2]

But... but... but...

Alcohol! Duh!

I mean, he was drunk!

That's what this story should be about!

Drunk man kills son! makes so much more sense!

 

[Nemu]

This is the most ridiculous way to blame video games for violence YET.




... but if he killed him over Theme Hospital, I can see why a death need to occur.


Damn that game was oddly addicting.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Yeah sure, it's all because of video games; I'm sure the fact that the guy was drunk had nothing to do with it. /sarcasm

 

[Sven und EIN HUND]

Wow, this is just another reason people will blame videogames over the deaths of others. I agree that it's indeed bullshit. Why didn't the headlines just say, "Drunken Father kills son over argument"? The press are always looking for a scapegoat, goodness forbid we blame alcohol and a previous criminal record, let us blame video games instead.

Grrrrrr, ec-fucking-xactly!!!EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!! GRRRRRR!!! Yah, the media always needs someone to blame.

 

[Aytasammich(theoriginal)]

Well, fear not, my friends. One day soon, when the Next Big Thing has come out, gaming won't be 'cool' anymore. We'll be left with the real gamers, and the media will choose a new, more relevant and hip, scapegoat.
It's just taking a while, is all...