Friday, July 29, 2005
Oh, this is how you argue
Recall Alex Stathopoulos's critique of video games. While she came up with a silly and unfounded connection between senseless violence and stereotyping in games with the same in real life, Steven Johnson actually tries to make the connection, rather than assuming it. And wouldn't you know it, the opposite conclusion is reached.
Many juvenile crimes -- such as the carjacking that is so central to "Grand Theft Auto" -- are conventionally described as "thrill-seeking" crimes. Isn't it possible that kids no longer need real-world environments to get those thrills, now that the games simulate them so vividly?
See, that's an argument. No mushy "confusion of reality and gaming" arguments. People commit thrill-seeking crimes because they seek thrills. Giving them those thrills in a way that doesn't fuck other people over might actually be beneficial. You don't have to buy the argument, but hey, at least it's there.
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