Video games cause violent behavior

I love to play Unreal Tournament, but afterwards I don't feel an urge to shoot real people. Just because kids who would actually kill people in real life like to play violent video games then go out and actually kill people doesn't mean that the video games are the problem. The problem is the kids who would actually kill people.

There's a little something I learned in psychology that goes, "Correlation does not imply causation." The example we were given was that as ice cream sales increase, so does the murder rate. Do you think that ice cream causes people to murder?

I never said it causes violence. I said dump em because IMO they are a waste of time. I find them a worthless distraction for kids. And I do agree that they can lead to a bit of disensitization.

Are you under the impression that I have launched a worldwide crusade to end production of violent video games?

This is the same kind of ludicrousness that surrounds role playing games...Dungeons and Dragons doesn't make you a Satanist, video games don't make you a killer and rock music doesn't make you suicidal.

Unbalanced people who are already prone to crazy behavior do those things and then use anything thay can to excuse their actions so they can try and get away with it.

As for video games being a waste of time...so is watching television, throwing wads of money around expensive restraunts and spending hours a day posting here. When you stop wasting your time, Mewa, maybe then you can judge other people for doing the same thing.

As I post I am earning a days pay. And watching TV is not a waste of time. It all depends on what you watch.

Are you earning any cash right at this moment??

IMHO doing something that you enjoy and/or helps you relax is not a waste of time. Doing TOO MUCH of it is, but doing it in moderation in a way that contributes to a healthy balance in your lifestyle is not.

This includes violent video games, posting on Wordforge, and watching TV, depending on what you're in to.

Parents who allow kids to play violent video games unsupervised are the problem here.

Sure.

I think you're failing to acknowledge that video games, TV, computers, etc, etc have become a new way of 'life' for lots of kids.

There is not as much 'go play outside' anymore.

I'm sure thousands of would be British gun owners feel the same way.

Same principle with anything, especially video games.

How many games have you played, Mewa? Have you worked through the hundreds of various tasks and subtasks you have to find and complete to finish a newer RPG? Have you played a game that forces you to keep track of fifteen different buttons and joysticks at once? Have you played the shooter games that require to strategize your actions in advance, along with plotting the actions of several computer allies?

Go find a copy of Everything Bad is Good for You. It's a good book, and it explains the value of tv, movies and games better than I can.

Fixed.

Agreed. But then we get into the reasons *why* children commit violence, and that's much too deep for this thread, or for Wordforge in general.

"Some kids are just 'born bad'," dontcha know.

I say mind your own fucking business and let people decide for themselves what kind of games to buy their children.

Proving their worth to you is not a requirement. You don't have to buy them, look at them, or even think about them. Take some fucking responsibility for yourself and stop poking your nose into everyone else's affairs.

I agree, but it's the job of parents to encourage that, and the personal choice of adults to do it themselves. It's not your place-nor anyone else's-to force people into a healthier lifestyle.

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So only activities that earn money are not a waste of time?

Interesting worldview there.

And I am sure the hours you spent watching Voyager was, what? Educational?

Everyone wastes time, including you, and video games are no worse than anything else in a balanced lifestyle.

I think it's more accurate to say that parents who don't adequately reinforce the concept of not emulating everything you see on the screen are the problem here. Supervising every gaming session from beginning to end shouldn't be necessary to instill a bit of common sense and self-control.

Bolding mine. That's about the only thing I agree with Mewa on--with so many overweight kids, it won't hurt if kids got outside a bit more and doing something active.

But I don't see video games going anywhere until the day holosuites become a reality.

some violent video games are educational in some areas too. for example America's Army. the army has since made a new program/game to help train, but that was the old one they used. good game by the way

the elementary schools still push outside play (despite how regulated it is now), and many people use sports as a way into college when they would have been otherwise passed up. i'm not claiming to know the cause or reason for increased child obesity, which is a definite problem, but i don't think it's because of a lack of encouragement.

x 1000

There's also the fast food thing. Many parents are tired after work, so they bring home some McDonalds for their kid that's been playing the 360/PS2 or 3/Wii for a bunch of hours, and they get fat.

The PE in schools (at the grade school level especially) is a joke. And I can testify that a lot of girls will just half-ass it in PE in middle school and high school and still pass.

the only experience i have is that which i experienced.

did your parents feed you McDonald's every night? learn to cook.

My point is that I'm not just sitting here posting. I'm at work. And posting is something to do with down time.

Its as if I'm not allowed to dislike video games. Sheesh!!

Someone asked if I ever played any of these games. I'm from the PacMan and Centipede era. I have never played on one of these new fangled systems. My kid has to settle for a gameboy or borrowing a friends console game.

I won't buy it but I don't stop her from playing.

I find it strange that people between the ages of 20-30 yrs old are really into these games.

I can attest to that. I sucked at all of the sports they tried to make us play (volleyball, softball, etc), and up until my sophmore year in high school, I walked all of the fitness test runs. It wasn't until H.S. that I took a little initiative on my own, started lifting weights and stuff.

What do you have, a club foot or somethin'???

How does a mug suck at volleyball and softball??? D'URRR!!!

I bet now that you have those video game skills you could be better at those sports. What with increased hand eye coordination and all. But sadly, the games can't help your two left feet.

Its all the same shit. Go through a maze or obstacle course and either shoot something or someone or grab the 'prize' for points.

Big wow.

are you calling yourself the image of athleticism because you didn't play video games? there are many worse habits than playing video games.