Violent Media
If you play violent video games, you will kill people.
I hate the idea that violence in movies, tv, music and video games is what causes violence in our society. Especially in scenarios involving youth, these media forms are always to blame and it drives me nuts.
First, I would like to point out that I started playing violent video games at a fairly young age. Mortal Kombat, Wolfenstein 3D and Doom were just some of the games that I enjoyed.
I didn’t really watch violent movies until I was in my junior and senior year of high school. Some of my favorite films are Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, the Matrix and Shaft, all of which have been condemned due to levels of violence.
Musically, I love metal and have listened to my fair share of Rammstein, which being metal and German, has to be evil.
The point of all this is, I’m not a violent or aggressive person. Mostly because I’m too lazy to bother, but the point is, I’ve had many violent influences in my life, yet I’ve turned out fine.
The real problem with this scenario is lack of morals and family structure. I have a basis on what reality is. I know the difference between right and wrong.
Take some kid who’s dad beat the shite out of him everyday and never quite grasped what reality is and yes, violent media may play a part in their behavior. But you can’t blame it entirely.
One thing that I think is vital to point out, but rarely is, is that violence has been a part of societies since the dawn of man. Biblically, there are some incredibly violent stories that take place and are described in great detail. Wars have taken place throughout the world with millions of people being killed. The old west was a time period in which people solved their differences by going out on the street and shooting each other. But where were the violent video games then? What movies were they watching?
Personally responsibility is something that many people refuse to take. We’ll see how that works when you are in prison getting pounded by some 300 pound guy named Rufus.
It’s up to parents to teach their children values, morals and more importantly, to show them these things. That’s where it all starts.
November 21st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Back in the day you actually had to enter the secret blood code in Mortal Kombat just to get blood. We’ve come a long ways since then.
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
don’t forget the crusades and the spanish inquisitions
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:01 pm
two of my favorite violent video games.