"Games are neither art nor media." - Censorship push
- Thread starter Del
- Start date
howandwhy99
Adventurer
I prefer freedom to purchase what I want, when I want.
That said. Having seen mega-gamestores in Japan where adult titles are 1/2 the store, I do believe in the need for some restriction. It makes no sense at all to me to have 18 or older stickers on adult films and magazines, but none on the "exact same content" digitized in a computer game.
There must be some laws in the US about it. The adult anime games shipped over aren't sold to miners here either. I see this as a good thing.
That said. Having seen mega-gamestores in Japan where adult titles are 1/2 the store, I do believe in the need for some restriction. It makes no sense at all to me to have 18 or older stickers on adult films and magazines, but none on the "exact same content" digitized in a computer game.
There must be some laws in the US about it. The adult anime games shipped over aren't sold to miners here either. I see this as a good thing.
WayneLigon
Adventurer
I think we need some other means of sales. I dislike that I must be restricted in what I might be offered because the store has to cater to someone's kids and might not carry a title rather than risk a lawsuit for it falling into 'the wrong hands'. I can't imagine what it would be, though.
mojo1701
First Post
This doesn't bother me. I've been used to not being able to watch movies when I was younger because they were too violent. I can handle it now, but only because I watch it objectively. Video games should be no different.
What DOES bother me, is the statement "Video Games are neither art nor media." It doesn't make sense. If you use the above logic, then they must be art and/or media.
What DOES bother me, is the statement "Video Games are neither art nor media." It doesn't make sense. If you use the above logic, then they must be art and/or media.
Hmmm...Big broth....no...spend time with your ki....no...hmmm...everything I have to say jumps over to politics....
As a parent, I say that parents should stop whining about schools/stores/video games/tv/movies/magazines not raising/babysitting their kids well enough and do it themselves. I will help my child understand the world, any parts of it, including the graphically violent, sexual, whatever. I think that laws are not a good exchange for a parent.
Or is that too political?
Aaron
p.s. yes, I think this is censorship, and yes, I think it is crap like all other types of censorship.
As a parent, I say that parents should stop whining about schools/stores/video games/tv/movies/magazines not raising/babysitting their kids well enough and do it themselves. I will help my child understand the world, any parts of it, including the graphically violent, sexual, whatever. I think that laws are not a good exchange for a parent.
Or is that too political?
Aaron
p.s. yes, I think this is censorship, and yes, I think it is crap like all other types of censorship.
There are a myriad of published studies that show that exposure to violence (in any form, real or simulated) can lead to short term desensitization to violence. Long term effects are, as yet, not fully understood.
(Personally, I have childhood memories of watching kung fu movies with my buddies, and then we'd go out and emulate the movie we just watched, kicking and punching ourselves silly. My nephews did the same to their parents...not so fun.)
The American Military, however learned that in WWI & II, something like 35% of their soldiers froze on the battlefield when asked to pull the trigger at human targets. After they switched to firearms training on human silhouettes, that % dropped to single digits. Now they're doing some of that training on virual reality setups.
My point?
We live in a dangerous and violent world, and children need to be aware of that. However, its a lesson that doesn't need to be reinforced by hyperviolent entertainment forms.
And real world parents- even the best ones- cannot guard children against age-inappropriate material. This is where the law steps in.
Censorship does not refer to anyone limiting availability, but rather specifically to the government restriction of content (which may be ACHIEVED by limiting availability if the restriction is overbroad). So, if someone over 17 can get Grand Theft Auto at Wal-Mart, but my 14 year old cousin can't, I have no problem with that. We aren't restricting adult oriented material from adults, but from children.
And if that restriction has the reinforcement of fines and/or jail time (misdemeanor level only), I'm still fine with that.
(Personally, I have childhood memories of watching kung fu movies with my buddies, and then we'd go out and emulate the movie we just watched, kicking and punching ourselves silly. My nephews did the same to their parents...not so fun.)
The American Military, however learned that in WWI & II, something like 35% of their soldiers froze on the battlefield when asked to pull the trigger at human targets. After they switched to firearms training on human silhouettes, that % dropped to single digits. Now they're doing some of that training on virual reality setups.
My point?
We live in a dangerous and violent world, and children need to be aware of that. However, its a lesson that doesn't need to be reinforced by hyperviolent entertainment forms.
And real world parents- even the best ones- cannot guard children against age-inappropriate material. This is where the law steps in.
Censorship does not refer to anyone limiting availability, but rather specifically to the government restriction of content (which may be ACHIEVED by limiting availability if the restriction is overbroad). So, if someone over 17 can get Grand Theft Auto at Wal-Mart, but my 14 year old cousin can't, I have no problem with that. We aren't restricting adult oriented material from adults, but from children.
And if that restriction has the reinforcement of fines and/or jail time (misdemeanor level only), I'm still fine with that.
VirgilCaine
First Post
zenld said:
Dude, it's Illinois.
