The Blog of member Wrist_Watch

• 29Sep 08

  Youth Violence and Games

  Last Week I was berated, well maybe not "berated", but I was ganged up against by my "University" friends on how games have this huge impact on society and modern culture. We all can agree on that, but that's not the issue, so let me get to the point. They claim that it's because of that strong influence it has on our culture that makes the violent games another axis for breeding hate and more violence into today's youths. Well I held my ground and I decided to write about this overly discussed issue, which for all us gamers is an old, old topic not worth discussing, but I'm writing about it anyways...? (contradiction?)
  
  Yes as gamers we all know that Video games along side music and internet are the scapegoats for the growing violent behaviour or youths. Lets just point out and scream and blame instead of holding back and thinking about it for a second. Yes there are mature content in video games much like all other medias. No I don't believe in having restrictions on how far developers want to make a game violent, gory, sexual or whatever explicit content. We don't have these barriers on movies, but everyone breaks into a riot when a video game does? Double standards maybe? This is going to be closely tied into my previous post about the topic as a whole really and yes, there has been many protocols in place to censor the games and make sure that the games are distributed properly and yet the people are still in arms.

  
  Basically what I'm trying to say is that video games have a minuscule impact on a violent person's motivation to be violent. If that kid is violent analyze the kid's environment (home/school), how he was raised, the people he/she interacts with, the emotional and physiological stability of that kid. when ever a kid does something terrible and, oh wow, they played Medal of Honor everyone goes wild. People just want a scapegoat for the fact that many of these kind of kids go unnoticed, or ignored and no one wants to take responsibility for not acknowledging the troubled kid and getting him/her some help. this is no different to how people reacted to the kids involved in columbine tragedy listened to Manson and everyone pointed the finger of blame at him. No one is a puppet, Manson didn't guide them or force them to do anything that they would've done on their own and video games are on the same level.

  • Posted Sep 29, 2008 7:01 pm PT
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• 20Mar 08

  The Youth And Video Games

  Video games are the modern equivalent of the 50-60s Indians vs. Cowboys or the 80-90s Cops & Robbers. Here we have kids forming a gun like shape with their hands or have a plastic replica to shoot down their friends. These actions potentially have an effect on the children before they play, while they are playing and the affects after they played the game. I find that those games are strong forms of acting out violence, but nothing really spawned from those kinds of games. Ask you parents ask your grand parents, because anyone can take anything out of context like I just did and make it seem so vile. People recently have an issue with violence in video games, but are we that naive? Violent games have existed far before video games came along.
  
  Kids at the age of 3-5 they shouldn't have developed a care about things like video games it doesn't factor unless the Parent brings it to their home. Also in this age group kids are fairly developed in terms of being able to tell from reality and the virtual world. After all they should be doing quite a bit of pretending and using their imagination with stuff like power rangers. Not saying all kids develop the same but for the average child they should be able to diversify between the two by the age and after 6. Cause what are video games? It's a physical extension of another person(s) creativity and imagination.
  
  In addition Developers and Publishers don't produce games that are graphic for kids that are 10 or under. Those games that come out have certain age group ratings conducted by the ESRB. The Developers only make certain games with certain content depending on their intended target audience. If the Parents are buying these games regardless then who is at fault? It's the same as parents taking their kids to the 18a+ movies, but that seems to be more accepted in our society.
  
  Video games are no different from a movie, a television show, the news/newspaper, or content on the internet. If you fear the nature of these Medias then take the actions to censor them from your kids and educate them about them. Don't just shield them from it, give them the mental tools to deal with the media and what they will see and experience from them. Cause I believe that we all agree that what happens outside your front door (or sometimes indoors) is far more influential than a virtual game.
  • Posted Mar 20, 2008 10:22 pm PT
  • Category: Rant
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• 18Feb 07

  "Simply Shakespear" Biography Part Two

  After two years of playing shows all over Canada and some parts of the U.S.A "Hierarchy Of Sin" was unable to find a fourth member as they intended to. As a result it just ended up being a three piece band. Another interesting thing occured shortly after, a new name for the trio. They've given it a good solid week before deciding to go with "Simply Shakespear". Though even they would agree that their music isn't depicted by their new name.
  
  They were able to be booked for more gigs following the renaming of this project band and a project band it still was. Simply Shakespear was thriving fairly well, but the next coming events would prove to be the down fall of the young band.The biggest challenge that occured was the sustainment of interest for the band. All three members where young, so naturally apon growing older their interests would change. The thing about it is that their interests all lead them away from the band.
  
  Justin, the lead Vocalist and Guitarist, was heading into the hardcore scene with Grindcore and Metalcore. He felt that the music he was doing with Simply Shakespear wasn't fulfilling to his musical needs. He would then start his own band with Scarborough natives and call themselves "Stick Em Up".
  
  To say the least Marina and Chris were both agitated by that movement on Justin, but they would also end up leaving the Simply Shakespear. Chris would take an interesting turn into the urban scene producing beats/music. He also earned numerous nicknames from the people he has been involved with but the alias he uses is "Lil Ck". Chris still continues to play bass on the side when he's home and not at the studio.
  
  Marina got more involved with the Electronica influenced Pop-Punk music. Being heavily influenced by bands like "Rocket Me Nowhere", "Metric", & "Hello Goodbye" she has started what seems to be a solo project. She does however, plans to make additions to this project in Oshawa.
  
  At this point it's fair to say that Simply Shakespear is no more. Even thought the band project didn't work out, the friendship and support amongst the three are still strong and well. That is all that matters in the end of things.
  
  • Posted Feb 18, 2007 4:34 pm PT
  • Category: Music
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