Have you noticed that the video games are getting a little out of hand these days? Have you noticed how screwed up they are? Some parents are horrified others say their children are simply going thru a fad? Are they or is there something much more serious going on here than that? One concerned parent recently stated in an online think tank; To see the look of glee on a child's face as they tear a character limb from limb with blood spurting everywhere is one of the scariest things I have ever seen. Well if the character is evil, then they are winning against evil and thus they are winning and releasing human generated chemicals into the brain, which could be extremely good for the immune system and imprinting skills of achievement as a positive thing. I suppose a SimCity gaming child would also get the same thrill upon completion, but the violent, high-stress, kill or be killed action game might fulfill that faster. Also realize that there is nothing wrong with achievement or winning, despite political correctness belief that kids in junior high should not keep score of the goals in PE soccer games? That is BS. Additionally as a youngster I got the same joy in winning a chess game, as I did winning a race in track and field, as I did acing a test in school. In business, politics or figuring out a solution to the problem same thing now. So, if I was a gamer, but well balanced in the other aspects, would it matter if I had glee or said ALL RIGHT! when I killed the bad guy in a video game? Winning is addicting really it sends chemicals to the brain and the brain likes it. Just like there are adrenaline junkies and those who get chemical releases from other things. In your point of the emotional addiction to inflicting pain on another through VR training or gaming and how it could easily de-sensitize little humans into imprinting bad and violent behavior, I hear you. Although, if you are supervising these things to some degree and it is in balance then it may not be so bad. Maybe we all need to take a closer look at the video games our children are playing and consider the ramifications, both good and bad and what types of games they are using? Maybe we should all be more responsible parents and consider all this in 2006. |
