Newtown Boy Campaigns Against Violent Games

[sethisjimmy]

Instead of imploring people to throw away their violent games, he should focus on creating discussion and debate. He hasn't even given a reason to do it, he's just taking advantage of this tragedy to try and push his own ideals onto others.

His tragedy is unfortunate but he's really missing the target here, trying to blame whoever he can.

 

[Bindal]

They can't because it is "art". Apparently Video Games have yet to get into that thought process with the general public. So even though Movies have "Porn Movies" (which are arguably not art), it is still considered an art form. Sure we have games like Saint's Row 3, but we also have games like Journey.

Get your facts straight. Porn movies can get legally banned under obscenity laws [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_obscenity_law], that officially declares that they "lack artistic value", and video games were officially declared art [http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-27/tech/supreme.court.video.game.art_1_sale-of-violent-video-video-games-hansel-and-gretel?_s=PM:TECH] by the US Supreme court, deserving the exact same protection as movies or literature.

Unfortunally, the public thinks different in general. Plus these laws are not worldwide the same.

 

[ThisGuyLikesNoTacos]

OT: Why do I feel like this kid is going to get his ass kicked?

I want it on video, it will be HILARIOUS.

Gamers: Supporting child abuse since 2012.

It's just a kid! He is shocked and confused from the shooting! Oh! It's not even a normal kid!

at the funeral of his friend's brother

Let me just sink this in: You just wished physical harm, and said you'd take satisfaction on seeing it, of somebody who was affected by the shooting. Think about what you're saying!

Hell, you shouldn't wish harm on anybody for something such as this! He's trying to do something good FFS!

God dammit people! Am I the only one here who sees something wrong in what we're doing here!?

 

[Falterfire]

This isn't about a child striking out against video games as the source of problems.

This is a child struck by a great tragedy who is now having to come to terms with things that are hard for anybody of any age to handle.

As a part of his tragedy he has found himself unable to find enjoyment from things which remind him of the tragedy he endured.

He should not be criticized as attacking games. That's not what he's doing. Not really. It may be what people who are taking advantage of the presence of a child with a convenient point of view are doing, but all the child really is trying to do is find ways to mourn and cope with the senseless loss that has occurred.

He is not stopping playing Call of Duty because he thinks it will drive him to real murder. He is no longer playing Call of Duty because it now reminds him to intimately of a painful experience he has no desire to relive in any capacity.

 

[Eve Charm]

Kinda funny so I see this ending in a failure also, even if the kids want to do it,

Kids under the age of 17 need a parent or someone to buy the game, and then the fact Kids don't have any money so it'd be them tossing out their parents money. 60 dollars a game even if it is a point, no one is gonna be happy to toss that out.

 

[ThisGuyLikesNoTacos]

I feel bad for this kid, but honestly I find is despicable for someone to use a tragedy such as this to push there own personal morals.

Instead of imploring people to throw away their violent games, he should focus on creating discussion and debate. He hasn't even given a reason to do it, he's just taking advantage of this tragedy to try and push his own ideals onto others.

His tragedy is unfortunate but he's really missing the target here, trying to blame whoever he can.

Hold on, I gotta read the article again:

12-year-old

Max was a regular Call of Duty player with the approval of his parents

Now I don't know this kid but he probably has a pretty damn good reason to believe video games cause violence.

Also, what do you mean this isn't the to talk about your morals/ideals?

When something terrible like this happens, I think it's not just good but the best time to talk about them: This is the time when people are the most excited to talk about them. Now that something that shook the entire country happened.

People want to know why this happened, how can we stop it from happening again, and we're anxious to find answers. The more people discuss this the more perspective we get, and we need to get as much of if as possible.

Maybe people can actually make the damn country better if they just talk about it.

 

[ShadowTrooper-A-E]

i get the feeling anyone with a brain knowing games weren't the cause of the shooting and want games are going to occasionally slip by this dumpster if it's not watched or in some way locked is going to have free game's if undamaged and make people's "trash" the their treasure. I mean seriously if i saw someone throw away a xbox 360 version or well any copy of Xcom EU or farcry 3 id flip id just probably just ask for it. Though if not may slightly be tempted to go through that trash but probably not since i may be arrested i think or fined the amount the game would actually cost.

 

[sethisjimmy]

I feel bad for this kid, but honestly I find is despicable for someone to use a tragedy such as this to push there own personal morals.

Instead of imploring people to throw away their violent games, he should focus on creating discussion and debate. He hasn't even given a reason to do it, he's just taking advantage of this tragedy to try and push his own ideals onto others.

His tragedy is unfortunate but he's really missing the target here, trying to blame whoever he can.

Hold on, I gotta read the article again:

12-year-old

Max was a regular Call of Duty player with the approval of his parents

Now I don't know this kid but he probably has a pretty damn good reason to believe video games cause violence.

Also, what do you mean this isn't the to talk about your morals/ideals?

When something terrible like this happens, I think it's not just good but the best time to talk about them: This is the time when people are the most excited to talk about them. Now that something that shook the entire country happened.

People want to know why this happened, how can we stop it from happening again, and we're anxious to find answers. The more people discuss this the more perspective we get, and we need to get as much of if as possible.

Maybe people can actually make the damn country better if they just talk about it.

That's exactly what I said. The problem is he isn't looking for discussion, he's just asking people to do what he thinks should be done without question. I think this is a perfect opportunity to discuss values, but when people make extremist assumptions like this kid, they tend to block out discussion and revert to pointless blame.

Instead of advising people to throw away their games, he could campaign to open a discussion with various game developers on why they include violence in their games, or at least offer an explanation as to why he thinks violent video games are bad, anything but make a fairly baseless assumption that violent video games have some sort of correlation with real life violence.

 

[Madmanonfire]

I want to comment negatively on this kid's campaign but I'm too distracted at the fact that he plays cod at the age of 12. I can't take him seriously if he plays mature games at his age and I don't think he should be the one to make this campaign.
But on the off chance that this stops a decent number of under-aged gamers from playing mature titles, then props to the kid!

 

[ThisGuyLikesNoTacos]

I feel bad for this kid, but honestly I find is despicable for someone to use a tragedy such as this to push there own personal morals.

Instead of imploring people to throw away their violent games, he should focus on creating discussion and debate. He hasn't even given a reason to do it, he's just taking advantage of this tragedy to try and push his own ideals onto others.

His tragedy is unfortunate but he's really missing the target here, trying to blame whoever he can.

Hold on, I gotta read the article again:

12-year-old

Max was a regular Call of Duty player with the approval of his parents

Now I don't know this kid but he probably has a pretty damn good reason to believe video games cause violence.

Also, what do you mean this isn't the to talk about your morals/ideals?

When something terrible like this happens, I think it's not just good but the best time to talk about them: This is the time when people are the most excited to talk about them. Now that something that shook the entire country happened.

People want to know why this happened, how can we stop it from happening again, and we're anxious to find answers. The more people discuss this the more perspective we get, and we need to get as much of if as possible.

Maybe people can actually make the damn country better if they just talk about it.

That's exactly what I said. The problem is he isn't looking for discussion, he's just asking people to do what he thinks should be done without question. I think this is a perfect opportunity to discuss values, but when people make extremist assumptions like this kid, they tend to block out discussion and revert to pointless blame.

Instead of advising people to throw away their games, he could campaign to open a discussion with various game developers on why they include violence in their games, or at least offer an explanation as to why he thinks violent video games are bad, anything but make a fairly baseless assumption that violent video games have some sort of correlation with real life violence.

You want to know why that is? Because his friend's brother was shot to death. Cut him some slack. You have no idea what he is going through.

 

[BanicRhys]

So wait they are just dumping it in a dumpster. *rubs hands together* i smell profit for me lol jk but anyway good for the kid and all

Profit, you say?

I really hate it when kids think they have real opinions, of course this was most likely all some adult's idea.

 

[sethisjimmy]

You want to know why that is? Because his friend's brother was shot to death. Cut him some slack. You have no idea what he is going through.

Like I said, that is obviously an unfortunate tragedy, and he is probably taking it hard, but it doesn't make what he's doing justified or even logical.

 

[elilupe]

I mean, good on the kid for being affected by this tragedy and trying to do something to help the community, but, really this isn't the best way to do it. Of all things, the stuff he decides to throw out had nothing to do with the actual tragedy.
I may just pop by to empty out the trashcan myself...

 

[ThisGuyLikesNoTacos]

OT: Why do I feel like this kid is going to get his ass kicked?

I want it on video, it will be HILARIOUS.

Gamers: Supporting child abuse since 2012.

It's just a kid! He is shocked and confused from the shooting! Oh! It's not even a normal kid!

at the funeral of his friend's brother

Let me just sink this in: You just wished physical harm, and said you'd take satisfaction on seeing it, of somebody who was affected by the shooting. Think about what you're saying!

Hell, you shouldn't wish harm on anybody for something such as this! He's trying to do something good FFS!

God dammit people! Am I the only one here who sees something wrong in what we're doing here!?

Welcome to the internet! I am a goddamned asshole! Get used to it.

Anyways, I was viewing what would have happened back when I was a kid and I tried doing something like this. I would have gotten my ass kicked, swirlied, and then gotten a flagpole wedgie (Yes, those really existed and it was hilarious).

Anyways, stop being a goodie goodie two-shoes.

Stop being an immature brat who thinks he is "dark" and "edgy". It might bite you in the ass later in your life.

First off, insulting another person is a no-no on the Escapist. Secondly, it was all in jest so calm your tits. I am not trying to be "dark" and "edgy" I am just having fun picturing myself or this kid in my time trying to do this. It was funny. It still is funny. The picturing of him getting a wedgie in 90's attire, not the whole mass murdering thing. Just thought I would clear that up since you can't seem to understand the jest of which I type.

You misunderstood me, which is acceptable. I was actually giving you advice.

Also, bullying causes suicides, though giving people wedgies these days seems a bit cartoon-ish.

I still think you're trying to be dark and edgy. Don't like it? You better start acting properly. You also appear to be trying to intimidate me with your degrading comments.

You want to know why that is? Because his friend's brother was shot to death. Cut him some slack. You have no idea what he is going through.

Like I said, that is obviously an unfortunate tragedy, and he is probably taking it hard, but it doesn't make what he's doing justified or even logical.

Of course it isn't good what he is doing. That's also obvious. I think people should just let others do some silly things, if they don't harm anyone (including themselves ofc.) in anyway, when their clearly having a hard time with their lives.

We're all humans here after all, and humans make mistakes, especially when we're emotional.

What the kid is doing isn't even remotely dangerous nor offensive, so I don't think we should waste our time on criticizing him.

 

[Skeleon]

I know where I'd go to get some free videogames.

 

[The_Blue_Rider]

So wait they are just dumping it in a dumpster. *rubs hands together* i smell profit for me lol jk but anyway good for the kid and all

Profit, you say?

I really hate it when kids think they have real opinions, of course this was most likely all some adult's idea.

The kid isnt saying that games are bad or anything though, he's just decided that his violent games remind him too much of an unfortunate tragedy. That's a very respectable and even reasonable opinion. Of course if this group uses it to kickstart a big campaign against games then that wont be alright, but it wouldnt be the kids fault.

 

[sinsfire]

While I appreciate the sentiment and the kid's change of heart I do have to points.

1) He is 12 and I don't care how much he bugged his parents, they shouldn't have bought it for him. If he convinced them that he was mature enough to handle it then why is no longer capable of seeing it as fantasy to the extent that he feels the need to throw the games out.

2) Does this mean he will never kill anything in any other video games? No final fantasy, no mass effect, no dishonnored, ect... or is it just military style shooters that he is done with?

I get what the kid is saying and i think it is important for people to take a step back from their fantasies at times like these and reflect; but other than confirming fantasy and not training platform, I don't see why you would need to give these games up.

 

[NightHawk21]

Its funny how many people are ripping on the kid for being 12 and playing CoD. Granted the game has an M rating which here at least means you have to be 17 to buy/play it. That said, I wonder how many people on this site can legitimately claim they didn't play anything that had a teen rating until they were out of elementary school and mature until they were out of high school (roughly). I very, very much doubt that anyone on this site can claim that, unless they are say older than 30 or 40 and didn't have/play videogames when they were young.

However I still got some problems with this though.
1) If he was mature enough to handle the game before and realize that it wasn't real life then why is he having a problem with it now. It could be argued that it reminds him of the shooting and no longer brings him joy, but I would say that he is more than likely convinced that videogames are the cause, based on how he is urging his peers to throw away their games too. His peer playing violent games should have no impact on reminding him of the murders so I'm rejecting that theory.

2) Kids don't really have opinions that young, or at least they don't usually make their own. The involvement of his stepfather and this council/group thing lead me to suspect that he is just a tool in the hands of his parents who are shaping his ideas.

 

[KeyMaster45]

OT: Why do I feel like this kid is going to get his ass kicked?

I want it on video, it will be HILARIOUS.

Gamers: Supporting child abuse since 2012.

The Internet: Supporting child abuse and every other horrid act since its inception.

It's just a kid! He is shocked and confused from the shooting! Oh! It's not even a normal kid!

at the funeral of his friend's brother

Let me just sink this in: You just wished physical harm, and said you'd take satisfaction on seeing it, of somebody who was affected by the shooting. Think about what you're saying!

Hell, you shouldn't wish harm on anybody for something such as this! He's trying to do something good FFS!

God dammit people! Am I the only one here who sees something wrong in what we're doing here!?

I don't know, what are we doing wrong? Far as I can see only one person has given a rather trollish response to the kid's actions. He's making a sweet gesture, really he is, and I doubt many of us at that age could stomach CoD levels of violence after living through that. His actions beyond that are no less naive and the adults around him that have already started to take advantage of his innocence as a rallying cry are no less despicable. All this is going to end up being is a harsh lesson for the kid that the majority of the world really doesn't care too much about what he's going through; they just enjoy watching the train wreck of a media circus that surrounds it.

 

[BanicRhys]

The kid isnt saying that games are bad or anything though, he's just decided that his violent games remind him too much of an unfortunate tragedy. That's a very respectable and even reasonable opinion. Of course if this group uses it to kickstart a big campaign against games then that wont be alright, but it wouldnt be the kids fault.

Yeah, I guess more accurate wording would be I hate it when kids start trying to be activists as if they could actually fully grasp any situation like that.

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