Re: Grand Theft Auto inspires Thai murder
 

<font color="plum">You have a good point that the media only focuses on the worst case scenarios. You're also right that many people play these games and don't commit such acts. But your own example points out a "middle ground" that is overlooked in these discussions.

How many people get "amped" up by these games, then get into some type of accident because they were driving their real car the way they drive their virtual car? How many kids and/or young adults play these games, then maybe get in an argument with someone at school or the local hangout and punch the person instead of just walking off cause their character in the video game doesn't take sh.. of anybody?

Aggressive behavior rarely results in the worst case scenario, but can easily result in dozens of minor incidents that never get reported or receive any attention. Yes, some people are aggressive already and the game only reinforces that, but for many, the game is a cathartic release because they are NOT normally agressive and the game allows them to vent their frustrations against virtual characters. That may be well and good in the game setting, but the more they play, the more they may decide to take real action against whatever situation is causing their anger and frustration to begin with. You play a character long enough, you will have a tendency to start copying that characters behavior when r/l situations mirror game situations.</font>

Re: Grand Theft Auto inspires Thai murder
 

Best post of the thread for being both simple and accurate.

Re: Grand Theft Auto inspires Thai murder
 

Accurate? based on what? More accurate than Yorick's posts of studies that contradict what Jaradu posted? If so, why, and by what criteria do you make that assessment?

Or is it simply accurate to you because you agree with what it says?

I'm not trying to start a larger conflict, but I do feel that the questions posed are fair.

Re: Grand Theft Auto inspires Thai murder
 

Fair enough. Thanks for posting. All the information I had was that all studies found links.

But then there are folks with vested financial interest in violent games/films being able to have zero consequences, while pandering to the base human instincts and entertainment/stimuli addiction.

Much in the same way that it was "inconclusive" for decades that tobacco caused lung cancer or damage to unborn kids.

I side with the studies proving links, as they make sense considering the line linked to the first post I made concerning imitative behaviour, and socialisation behaviour developed through game playing.

When studies prove than game playing does not teach children/adults about social interaction, then I shall concede.

Re: Grand Theft Auto inspires Thai murder
 

Because it agrees with your position already?
I thought you were finished? "Happy being right" and all.

Re: Grand Theft Auto inspires Thai murder
 

Yorick is on permanent Ignore so I usually don't read his posts. I went back took a look and realized I've read alot of those before. Long story short, I came to this thread having already studied the subject quite thoroughly.

I also have an IQ above 130 and I slept at a holiday Inn last night. :P

What makes you so qualified to ask? Do you like internet forum conflict like some folks around here?

Re: Grand Theft Auto inspires Thai murder
 

What makes anyone qualified to ask anything at all?
The lack of information. People naturally want to fill in the empty spaces.

Claims to any kind of IQ over the internet are equivelent to the "My dad can beat up your dad arguement". And sleeping at a holiday inn has little to do with anything. If anyone seems to like stirring things up, it seems to be you.

Re: Grand Theft Auto inspires Thai murder
 

I think the big picture is that elements of life affect who we are and what we do.
Yes we have individual responsibility with what we do with the experiences. We cannot cry "he made me angry" for example. He hurt you, you chose to be angry. Furthermore, what you do with that anger is your decision alone.

However, what we choose to surround ourselves with is also our choice, and if we can learn from others experiences that certain man-made experiences can adversely affect our mood/mental health, making our DECISIONS to be pro-social more DIFFICULT, we should, in wisdom, choose to limit our "diet" of experiences to enhance our mental health.

The problem is, with children, they have not yet gained the wisdom to self regulate their diet. (People grow up with enough problems with their food intake, let alone experience intake.)

It takes a village to raise a child.

Whatever we as a society can do to help parents raise children with better mental health, pro-social values and greater physical health (mental health is linked to physical health), we should do.

I as an artist have personally undertaken to do what I can, in my small sphere to use my art to help people, rather than just make money. Sometimes I make money using my art to promote things that are not helpful to society (like doing a voiceover for a violent game for example).

Where possible, because I have the awareness of the influence art has, I can approach each situation with consideration. It is THIS position which I would ask artists, producers, game designers and directors and authors to perpetually consider. To increase self-regulation, and to consider the effect that their work will have, rather than to just look at the dollar signs.

No-one here has said "ban GTA". What has been suggested is, it would have been simpler to not make such a violent game. And it would. But that takes artists/designers having self-awareness of their influence.

It is encouraging that people like Bono have become increasingly aware of their ability to influence society for good or ill, and so try to choose good.

Re: Grand Theft Auto inspires Thai murder
 

Total failure to have a sense of humor and to actually add anything to the discussion. Good job making it personal and Welcome to my ignore list.

Re: Grand Theft Auto inspires Thai murder
 

And so ignored all the studies you asked to see.

Wow.

Well then, if I'm on ignore you won't see this little message to you. I can say all I like to you and you won't read it.

So this is my message:

Hi Chewbacca, nice to see you. Very glad to see you actually. Hope all's well with you and you family, and that life in Boston is treating you well. I generally have a lot of respect for you, and have enjoyed reading your posts, even when they highly annoy me, for iron sharpens iron as one man sharpens another.

Glad you're flying the flag about small music stores, for I agree wholeheartedly. Perhaps we should all bring back vinyl.

Cheers and warmest regards

Yorick.