This might be controversial and certainly lenghty.
First of all: What a ******* hypocrite! Talk about throwing bricks in glass houses. Why don't we ALL for once take responsibility when something as serious as this happens instead of blaming each other. We are all a part of this world and therefore indirectly responsible for these recent events and everything else that takes place in this world. Even if you wouldn't confess to that. It all ties in like ripples on the water.
Secondly: No one is born evil. A severly inadequate upbringing, social exclusion, torture, severe traumas and mental illnesses are a couple of very important factors that could inflict permanent damage on any persons worldview - and under extreme circumstances - make them question or even loose their hope and consequently humanity. These school-shooting incidents are a testament to how our society - and we as compassionate human beings - have failed to help a person in serious need.
In no way am I defending these horrible acts of violence. I condemn them like any sane person would. I would just like to take a different angle of approach on this whole subject. The discussion should niether be about, whether the shooting is a result of liberal gun legislations or the supposedly bad influence of video games. Because according to me neither of them are the culprit in this whole mess. (Although the american gun laws seems completely ludicrous to a foreigner.) They are at best pieces of a much larger puzzle.
The underlying reasons go way deeper and are far more complicated. You would have to delve deep within the human psyche, because these acts are not sudden acts of insanity, they are acts of years of oppression and mental degredation. The collective experiences of a lifetime. Guns aren't the reason this happened, it just made it more probable. Niether are video games to blame. In fact: video games can act like a pressure valve to - contrary what most scientists claim - release stress, anger and anxiety. As we all here presumably have experienced at some point. Overconsumption on the other hand can in extreme cases - where mental problems already are present - result in even more isolation, which in turn could lead to even more severe complications (such as psychosis).
There is no such thing as "we and them". We are all one; capable of magnanimous and horrible acts alike. If someone would have taken notice of this degenerate individual and reached out to truly help him, this might never have happened.
Regarding Wayne LaPierre: he obviously isn't especially bright, eloquent nor familiar with the effects of video games on the human psyche. For people who suffer from depression, anxiety, Aspbergers or similar mental conditions, video games are a safe haven from the stress that day to day life poses. A way to manage and make sence of a chaotic world. I would even argue it could be an invaluable lifeline. Take it from some who's personally affected.
What's up with all the hate? I really liked these special achievements. Even more so than the 'regular' once. Worthy mentions indeed. A different and refreshing take on the otherwise, somewhat tiresome GOTY-lists we've seen since the dawn of mankind.
Fun reading and interesting lists with AAA titles mixed with lesser acknowledged personal favourites. Portal 2 was probably my game of the year, but I think we all can agree that it was a great year for gaming. Fantastic diversity. So many good games from this year I still haven't played. Can't keep up with the frantic pace anymore. I guess there are worse problems in the world :)
Fun initiative with these "We Play" segments Kevin! It's so cosy. I can see you sitting there in an armchair in your giant mansion in front of a crackling fireplace, sipping your expensive Chianti wine. Looks like a gorgeous Wii game, but I don't know if I have the time nor patience to play JRPG's anymore.They used to be my favourite genre. Last one I played was Tales of Vesperia and I did enjoy that one, even though it took me about 60 hours to finish it. (I'm a completionist.) And its weird hearing it wasn't released in NA. It came to Europe so I wonder what that's all about.
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