Letters to the Editor
blueskies
Published Letters: 38 Editor's Choice: 2
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Overreaction
[Read the article: The video game bullies]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The subtitle of this article states "U.S. senators and conservative groups want to ban Bully", but in the article itself we learn that "legislative efforts offered in a handful of states (including California, Illinois and Michigan) that aim to bar the sale of games like "Bully" to minors."
My complaint is that this subtitle is misleading, as a ban to minors is *not* the same as a ban to everyone. It's like saying "oh my God! Pornography has been banned in this country!" when in actual fact, it is the sale of pornography to children that is banned. Adults can buy pornography and even show it to their kids if they want.
Further in the article Mr. Manjoo states "In 2005, the American Psychological Association declared that exposure to violent video games "increases aggressive behavior, increases aggressive thoughts, increases angry feelings, decreases helpful behavior, and increases physiological arousal." The American Academy of Pediatrics has adopted a similar view."
to get an idea of what kind of studies are behind this conclusion, try googling "violent video games children aggression".
Another argument made, is that since the homicide rate has returned to it's mid 1960's level (after doubling between the mid 1960's to the late 1970's) that that proves that violent media is not to blame. What they fail to mention is that in response to this alarming crime increase the public supported policies that increased the incarceration rate over 300% between 1980 and 2000. The U.S. now has the highest incarceration rate in the entire world. Could it be that this alarming increase in incarceration had something to do with the crime reduction?
Defenders of violent video games proudly state that most violent video games are played by adults. So why this huge overreaction to the possibility of banning the sale of violent and/or pornographic video games to children?
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3 More points
[Read the article: The video game bullies]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]1. Mr. Manjoo is arguing that there should be no ban on the sale of violent video games to children. His argument would be a lot more honest if he used the example of Grand Theft Auto or Manhunt or another ultra violent video game to make his case. Instead he used Bully (a less anti-social game). This would be like arguing that drunk driving should be allowed and only using the example of a driver only slightly over the limit, instead of someone who is drunk out of their gourd.
2. There seems to be a trend among violent video game creators to add messages to the game that certain parents would approve of, so as to make it more likely for parents to allow their children to play. Bully would be one example (rated Teen, 13 and older) and Eternal Forces (also rated Teen) would be another. In Eternal Forces, the player's job is to kill as many non-Christians as possible. If any innocent bystanders are killed in the process, they have to pray for them. The creators of Eternal Forces are hoping that it's Christian theme will convince many Christian parents to allow their kids to play it.
3. Kathryn wrote "I've been playing video games since I was very young and beyond demonstrating a few kung fu moves on the playground I have never never become violent due to a game." Good to hear! But the argument isn't that someone will play a violent video game and then jump and commit a violent crime. Instead the evidence points to violent video games making players more aggressive. That is if someone is already very aggressive, that violent video games will make him even more so (depending on how much he plays). On the other hand if someone is quite laidback, playing violent video games will make him less laidback.
This actually very good information to have. Say your child is getting in trouble at school for bullying behavior, then a partial solution would be to ban violent video games and violent TV/movies. Or lets say someone is having problems with anger management issues, again a partial solution would be to give up violent video games and violent TV/movies.
Personally I believe that banning the sale of violent video games to children is useless if the public and parents believe that violent video games are harmless. This situation is very similar to global warming, on the one side you have the science, and on the other hand you have a billion dollar industry and their hired guns.
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Dyslexia and Comic Books
[Read the article: Steal this comic]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]There is an excellent article in this month's Readers Digest by Ahmet Zappa (son of Frank Zappa). Zappa writes about growing up with severe dyslexia. Reading was a huge challenge until he discovered his parents' comic book collection. The comics gave him the reading practice and confidence he needed to tackle novels (for the first time).
Note: my signature links to the above story.
"Reading for Pleasure", kids reading on their own time books that they choose and enjoy (including comic books), is the key to them becoming proficient readers. And becoming a proficient reader is the key to academic success.