Not to come across as argumentative or anything, but you guys are full of it. Putting down an article as "wrong-headed" and "ignorant" is fine if you can refute the claims. But I think it's more along the lines of, "I play video games, I like video games, if you say video games are bad, you are a big meanie-head" type of thing.
I will agree that most chronic video-game freaks are way too pussy style to ever actually pick up a gun and start blasting motherfuckers left and right--those Columbine kids notwithstanding. In fact, video games might be a good way for these button-smashing shut-ins to blow off a little steam, to let out some of that built-up frustration that comes with being an ineffectual, socially awkward wastrel.
However. There have beeen several well documented, scientifically valid studies linking video games and violent behaviour, and as far as I know, no studies proving the opposite. For instance, there was that famous study in 2000 where college students demonstrated more aggressive solutions to problems after playing shitloads of games... said students were also known to do worse academically. Then there's that more recent study that shows hours of violent games not only desensitizes players, but actually causes brain slowdown on a cellular level.
Yes, we need much more research on the topic? And yes, some of these studies DO come from the midwest, automatically invalidating their entire scientific method? But I would imagine there's some truth to the idea that exposing kids to often fairly realistic, horrific violence, and rewarding them for the brutality of their actions, might not be the best thing for them psychologically. At least with coyboys and injuns the kids were moving around a bit, using their imagination, and rarely being exposed to blood and amputations. Plus, they were learning the valuable lesson that over races are inferior.
Yeah, yeah, there was that thing about how video games can actually improve your reflexes. I'll bet you guys were almost thrilled about that study, as the one that said jerking off is good for your prostate. Well, guess what: Sports, like hockey, volleyball, martial arts, even baseball probably wouldn't hurt your reflexes either. And you might strengthen more than just your hands.
I'm not saying we should ban video games. Hell, I like playing the fuckers too, and the mroe violent the better. But I might be old enough to handle it.
