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| by Chris McGinty of AccordingToWhim.com |
The simple proof has always been
that millions, if not billions, of people have read violent books, watched
violent movies, and played violent video games and we’re not all dead. The
reason is because there is no direct connection between one thing happening and
the other thing happening. Are there individuals influenced by such things,
perhaps. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence of such things happening, but
the incidences are so low percentage that they’re almost nonexistent. Even the
possibly borderline brainwashing done by marketing and advertising doesn’t
always work.
The simple fact is that there is
a direct difference between the concept of someone being nonviolent being
influenced by violence and the concept of someone who is violent relating to
the violence they see and mimicking it. That’s really where the debate is. Can
you take someone who is gentle and caring and change their very nature by
showing them fictitious violence? If you can, is it repeatable to the point
that we can show a direct correlation?
a direct difference between the concept of someone being nonviolent being
influenced by violence and the concept of someone who is violent relating to
the violence they see and mimicking it. That’s really where the debate is. Can
you take someone who is gentle and caring and change their very nature by
showing them fictitious violence? If you can, is it repeatable to the point
that we can show a direct correlation?
I was thinking about myself the
other day, at least I was thinking about my personal view of violence. I want
you to understand that I’m not completely without anger. I’ve been in a few
near road rage incidents in my lifetime. I’ve not been in a fight in my adult
life, but I’ve not backed down from a fight in my adult life. I don’t get that
mad that often. I used to. I think I had a lot of aggression in my hormone
production during puberty.
other day, at least I was thinking about my personal view of violence. I want
you to understand that I’m not completely without anger. I’ve been in a few
near road rage incidents in my lifetime. I’ve not been in a fight in my adult
life, but I’ve not backed down from a fight in my adult life. I don’t get that
mad that often. I used to. I think I had a lot of aggression in my hormone
production during puberty.
The thing is that I love
fictitious violence in books, movies, and video games. It’s not real. It amuses
me. Meanwhile, I don’t watch UFC fights. It’s probably partially because I’m
not into sports, but it’s also a level of violence that I’m not entertained by,
because it’s real. It’s controlled, because it’s sport, but it is real. I’m
fine with it existing, and I enjoy the fact that people enjoy it, but it’s not
for me. This is entirely anecdotal, of course. This is just how I experience the
concept of violence for entertainment.
fictitious violence in books, movies, and video games. It’s not real. It amuses
me. Meanwhile, I don’t watch UFC fights. It’s probably partially because I’m
not into sports, but it’s also a level of violence that I’m not entertained by,
because it’s real. It’s controlled, because it’s sport, but it is real. I’m
fine with it existing, and I enjoy the fact that people enjoy it, but it’s not
for me. This is entirely anecdotal, of course. This is just how I experience the
concept of violence for entertainment.
Anecdotally, looking around at
our culture, I’m not sure that entertainment and fictitious violence incites
the same level of anger and violence as extreme political or religious beliefs
do. It almost makes you wonder if the same demagogues who are trying to blame
fictitious violence are just trying to divert your attention from the hate that
they’re promoting. I’m not pointing specific fingers. I see it in all politics,
and all walks of life. Listen to people and ask yourself, “Is this a message of
peace, or a message of hatred?” If you look at it objectively, I think you’ll
be surprised how much anger is being promoted by our leaders.
our culture, I’m not sure that entertainment and fictitious violence incites
the same level of anger and violence as extreme political or religious beliefs
do. It almost makes you wonder if the same demagogues who are trying to blame
fictitious violence are just trying to divert your attention from the hate that
they’re promoting. I’m not pointing specific fingers. I see it in all politics,
and all walks of life. Listen to people and ask yourself, “Is this a message of
peace, or a message of hatred?” If you look at it objectively, I think you’ll
be surprised how much anger is being promoted by our leaders.
Chris McGinty is a blogger who
isn’t currently on LinkedIn looking for a position as an axe murderer. He’s too
busy trying to find time to finish playing the Grand Theft Auto games.
isn’t currently on LinkedIn looking for a position as an axe murderer. He’s too
busy trying to find time to finish playing the Grand Theft Auto games.