January 9, 2007 -
For a highbrow view of the video game debate, check out Jonathan Freedland's The Long View on BBC Radio.This morning's program contrasts current societal concerns over video games with the historical uproar over Samuel Richardson's 1740 novel, Pamela: Or Virtue Rewarded
.Back then, the literary format of the novel was new. While many found Pamela compelling, others were frightened by the novel's ability to attract, hold and, perhaps, corrupt readers.
Interviewees include Keith Vaz, a Labour MP who has been one of the U.K.'s most outspoken video game critics.
Comments
Therefore, quite frankly if I should decide that I would like to spend my money to immerse myself in a pool of Clorox bleach, despite such an action being incredibly /stupid/, that's my own choice. One being better than another is irrelivent. They're all different forms of entertainment, people will demand different types and different times to fill their desire to be entertained. It's that simple.
Now if only we could get losers like jack out of the picture, that might actually happen.
Ahh yes, that movie is a classic. 8)
@ BCB
He'd just claim that Blank Rome (and the porn industry) is sponsoring BBC. ;)
Another writer implies that those who oppose video games are "stuck up buttheads." But can the same be said about those who will stick to video games while some new fad replaces it? I think decades from now the real "stuck up buttheads" will be the old geezers who will look back at the "good ole days" when people still played video games.
This argument is similar to issue concerning Hollywood movies and rock music: they are all sold by multi-billion dollar industries, consumers will naturally support them, and anyone who challenges both is a "nut." Given such a situation, how can any balanced discussion take place?
There have been similar arguments in favor of video games, but none of them have been questioned. For example, some argue that video games make surgeons perform better. Does that mean that more children should play video games or that only surgeons should play video games? And what kind of games? Virtual surgery software?
Others argue that video games boost the morale of sick children. Are there other activities, in some cases, cheaper than video games, that can do the same?
One writer mentioned that works like _Pamela_ are filth: if that is so, then video games (which are being compared to the novel) should also be considered filth. On the other hand, if the argument is that there is nothing wrong with playing video games because there is nothing wrong with reading _Pamela_, then why play video games? Why not just read _Pamela_? After all, the latter is cheaper, consumes less of the world's resources, and will even encourage people to read.
The same principle applies to any other pro-gamer argument. For example, some argue that people have been playing games, from board games to sports, for centuries, so what is wrong with video games? Indeed, what is wrong with board games and sports such that one will waste resources and replace them with video games?
Another writer implies that like reading, playing video games allows people to get lost in fantasies. If that is bad, then why continue video games? If that is good, then why bother supporting video games? Reading is a lot cheaper and we often hear complaints about youngsters not spending enough time reading.
Finally, one writer argues that the debate should continue. That'd be useless, for large media corporations and their customers have already made up their minds. What needs to be done, for those who are serious about this debate, is to find out how to help those who question video games and are obviously part of the minority challenge the majority.
The problem concerning video games as evil is illogical. Rather, one should find out whether playing video games is better than sports, reading, board games, and other pastimes, and whether reasons given to say that they are better make sense.
Let's also not forget Fredric Wertham and the Senate hearings over comic books. I think that's an even more recent witchhunt similar to what Thompson is doing now with videogames.
OH noEs! The books are turning children fat and unimaginative because they don't run through the forests anymore, and the books do all the thinking for them! ;)
A well done piece. Puts things in perspective. I remember a line from "Oscar" where Sylvester Stallone's character chastises his daughter for listening to "modern" music (it was a depression-era gangster movie).
It's the music you kids listen to today. Bing Crosby, Cab Calloway! Don't think I haven't heard the lyrics to ''Minnie the Moocher.''
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