Is this a sign of just how sick our society has became that we can be so outraged at events like the shootings in Aurora, CO and Newtown, CT, and yet be so entertained by fantastic displays and depictions of violence in the movies? Indeed this, to me, is a horrible inconsistency.
would be too easy to blame Hollywood alone. Actually, I am convinced that there is deliberate psychological conditioning/brainwashing going on through all forms of entertainment (how about violent computer games?) to let people gradually overcome the resistance to killing.
Do you mean that I'll become a mass murderer at some point?
I've played violent videogames all my life and never have I even been in a fight!
Actually, the brainwash is to think that movies/videogames or whatever is the reason why people got mad on a killing spree. Did you know this kind of violent events existed even BEFORE videogames? or that sports have killed way lot more people than violent videogames? in fact videogames have never killed anyone...
unless I missunderstood you.. but here, watch this, maybe you'll learn something from here:
So? What is that supposed to teach me? I'm not arguing in particular against violent computer games. We are constantly subjected to stuff we can no longer handle. That's my point. Take your mobile phone, for example. Do you have any idea what it does to your brain?Paul
EDIT: And do you have any idea what 3D does to your subconscious?
there's this strange thing called... HUMAN NATURE.
People are and will become violent because we are people, just because of that, nothing more, nothing less, and me and you and my sister and your neighbor can turn into a killer if we want to, with or without provokation. It's just people.
Videogames in fact reduced violence in teens.
No, what does it do?
We'll have to ban violent books too. Anything violent... ban it. You could probably extend that to music. Atonal music... causing violence.
It's ridiculous to blame violence on video games and movies.
Some dude said it before me, but there's this strang thing called... HUMAN NATURE.
Some stranger than others.
Isn't this funny? Since we all know human nature so well, why then are we deliberately triggering it's worst implications? Remember, in order for that material to "sell", it has to become more and more violent because people are gradually becoming imune to it.Paul
As which while highly violent is not exactly scary to play, because it is fake.
I find it incredibly hard to believe that you could play enough regular games and consume enough regular media that you'll develop an immunity to violence if its not already in your nature.
I think this video explains it all quite well.
And we can all live in some kind of protective covering.... Some giant, yet still mobile, plastic covering... It would have to be clear so we could still see through it.. Like a giant, protective hamster ball where nothing can ever hurt us. Oh. Wait. Nevermind.
What did you do to make the link work?? that´s the one I posted earlier
The "fake-not fake" is already dangerous territory. I believe that (especially young) people are more and more UNABLE to distinguish between reality and fake. When I see children beating up their peers before the camera of their mobile phones, I have a feeling they do it because they really believe it's just fake; just a movie they are acting in. They are often surprised about the consequences afterwards and, of course, are not liable for their deeds.I'm afraid it's in everybody's nature if the reason is good enough.
I think its incredibly insane to suggest that media is a cause though. Adults have the ability to choose their own path, and to appropriately direct the path of their children. The fact that we see those videos of teenage violence is not a game developer or media authorities fault even if it is a factor influencing behavior. No one forced anybody to watch TV or play violent games.. we all choose...
I'm more pessimistic about this. I think parents are basically powerless. They may forbid it at home, but the aggressive pushing is so huge that it is virtually impossible to protect your child.
I'm more pessimistic about this. I think parents are basically powerless. They may forbid it at home, but the aggressive pushing outside the home is so huge that it is virtually impossible to protect your child. Case in point: Around New Year, there was again one of those retrospective shows announced in the commercials right between two children's programs. And what do you think they showed? 9-11, the twin tower plane crash. My son (7 years old) saw this announcement and shouted: "Wow! Cool! I wanna watch that!"Paul
If it's for everyone, then you should be able to take anyone, show them something violent, and turn them into a killer.
I'm rather inclined to think that parents are at a disadvantage as you say, but that the majority that I've personally witnessed in action could be a lot more proactive about filtering their childrens media consumption..
So we can take anyone, expose them to violence, and they'll become violent?
Well, not in one session, of course, but gradually and specific to the "patient" or group of "guiena pigs", there is no doubt in my mind that this is possible. Please read up on how cults and sects work. Of course, one can easily predict that certain genetic and environmental factors will act upon the chances for "success".Paul
[sarcastic mode]Yeah, sure...[/sarcastic mode]I have a DefaultDeny policy for the Internet at home, for example - anything that is not explicitly allowed is blocked, even for myself. No incidental "If you want me, click between my legs" and stuff. But I can't forbid my son to go to his friend's house and watch sencored stuff there, can I? That would be cruel thing to do and it would also push my own child away from me.Paul
Yes but, they would have to exposed to that over and over with NO other contradictory stimulus. Conditioning behaviour requires consistency.There needs to be positive association to the desired behaviour and/or negative association to the alternative.. and that needs to be rinsed and repeated for a long time to generate the kind of effects we are talking about.
Everyone "breaks", ajspiano, everyone. It's just a matter of time and the "right" circumstances.Paul
i dont dispute that. i just think that if we take 2 people and berate them until they have a breakdown then the level of.violence found in their reaction will be a result of in person human influence far more than it will be media influenced.
For kids, I guess things could be restricted with something like ratings.
Although I don't know if that was studying everyone, as opposed to impressionable young people or people who are mentally off to begin with. I don't see the point in banning something for everyone if it's a handful of mentally ill people who are overly influenced. Have something to restrict things for just those people.
You'd be surprised - actually I doubt you would be - how well a child can manage without a TV in the family home. I have a friend who grew up in that environment, not surprisingly he and his entire family are great sports people, musicians and artists. No specialties, they are all good at everything..It annoys me that TV is something that is considered a must have. Most kids at our school considered that friend and his family to be freaks because they refused to bring a TV into their house.