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Link between violent crime and games ‘greater than the effect of smoking on lung cancer’ - Channel 10 Jumps On Violence Bandwagon

March 01, 2010 in Blog comments 13

We had hoped to see some sensible reporting on this issue, especially after being interviewed last week by the ABC's 7.30 Report, but as always, the media likes to twist things to suit their own agenda, with games and gamers coming off as second rate citizens this time, and worse than smoking and lung cancer.

You need to watch the video to really grasp the low level of reporting that major stations stoop to in order to get coverage.

Last night after some serious Heroes of Newerth 2v2 Noob Matches I stumbled across the Australian Xbox.com Forums to check out the threads that I had posted in to see if there had been any replies. A gaming/violence thread came to my attention which I instantly thought was about another news website posting about a crime which somehow related to video games.

To my surprise it was actually a news piece Channel 10 aired last night which was the most useless utter garbage of a report I have ever seen in my entire life.
XboxOZ360 via oxcgn.com »
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  • 0
    ShadowGuard Mar 2, 10
    There have been no "empirical" studies that have linked violent video games to aggressive behavior. We have talked about this in my Criminal Justice class and my Psychology class. There are many variables that people overlook when it comes to this topic. For you gamers out there, like me, do not worry, there will never be an 'empirical' study to prove this. Take a psychology class and you will know why tobacco companies can say "smoking does not cause lung cancer."
    • 0
      Euphoric Mar 2, 10
      And because tobacco companies can say it means it's true? Whether you think that or not, by drawing comparisons with the violence topic you are implying that. While no "empirical" studies may be performed to prove the link between violence and games to say that people need not worry is unbelievably naive.

      I personally think that while the media quite obviously sensationalise the issue and draw conclusions that are completely bogus, there have to be some links to a certain degree. People learn from every experience in their lives. Playing a game for any amount of time is an experience and consequently you learn from it. Whether you learn that what's in the game is acceptable or not is the real issue and is where the sensationalists and the logics clash. What no one seems willing to accept is that it's different for every person, and to create blanket theories on something so incredibly individualised is just plain idiotic.
      • 0
        ShadowGuard Mar 2, 10
        incorrect, you are forgetting 3rd variables. Saying video games cause aggressive behavior is simply being ignorant and believing what the media throws at you. It is not me who is naive, it is you sir...

        Tobacco companies say it, but I do not believe it, because it is illegal to do empirical studies on the subject. Do you know what empirical studies are?
        • 0
          Euphoric Mar 3, 10
          So you're saying because there are other factors that can be a precursor for vialoent behaviour then you should discount gaming experiences entirely?

          Of course I know what empirical studies are. That's irrelevant to the point anyway. You said that because they can't do studies to prove that correlations exist then it's impossible for them to exist. If you honestly believe that then you are clearly not educated enough to be having this conversation.
  • 0
    Seproth Mar 2, 10
    Every now and then someone comes out and says something like this. Yet, time goes on and games don't change.

    I'm not sweating it. Stupidity will always exists. Better not to dwell.
  • 2
    XboxOZ360 Mar 2, 10
    But the thing is, here in Australia, we allow our KIDS (15yr olds) to legally purchase games you in the US or UK or EU can NOT legally buy until you are 18yrs old.

    Yet, and here's the stupid thing, they say by NOT allowing a R18 rating for games, they are protecting the kids.

    When in fact, the current system allows KIDS to buy, play and rent any game that comes from overseas with a 18yr rating on it. Now that is stupid in the enth degree.

    Now if they REALLY cared about the KIDS, then they would allow a rating that already exists here in Australia to be affixed to any game that comes from overseas that normally has a 18+ rating attached to it from the country of origin.

    Even games like Aliens V's Predator gets a mere MA15+, yet coped a strong M and 18 over seas. Show me any form of logic in that . . there is none.

    I don't think many ppl overseas really understand what we have to deal with here . . .

    We have 7 states, all bare one have agreed that the system needs to use the currently available R18+ rating for games, both on current titles and new titles. We have 98% of those polled and questions agreeing that the R18+ rating is required to help parents, retailers etc keep games that are made for adults out of the hands of minors, yet ONE State Attorney General will NOT allow it, on the premise of "I'm protecting the children - someone has to" yet his own electorit states they want the rating installed.

    He will not budge on the issue. That is the stupidity we have here.

    If it was the US, The President can and does have the power to over-rule such cases if it's in the best interest of the country.

    Here, our Prime Minister has no power like that, and it's left up to some small politician to dictate what the public can - or can not have.
    • 0
      Daweii Mar 2, 10
      These are the things where assasination plots find their motiv. I really feel for gamers in Australia as that is about as unjust and unfair as it gets.
  • 0
    Shuyu Mar 2, 10
    It's Channel 10, not something respectable like ABC or SBS.
  • 0
    Smoke Mar 2, 10
    In other news, there is a correlation between making nonfactual claims and complete *bleep*ry. More on this at 11.
  • 0
    Hideo1 Mar 2, 10
    People talk hatred about things they clearly don't understand; what's new here exactly?
  • 1
    Sayyed Mar 2, 10
    You guys, why are you arguing against this? I study was done, its clearly true!
  • 0
    TurMoiL911 Mar 2, 10
    Did you know there's also a clear link between the people who committ violent acts and the people who drink water and breathe air?
    • 0
      Euphoric Mar 3, 10
      That would be a pretty weak correlation

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