Impact of p/s and nintendo games?

**fireball** · 27th March 2008, 11:52

TiddlyWinks anyone?

**R6_kid:Me** · 27th March 2008, 11:53

Originally Posted by MisterD

Some of the stuff the US military uses to breakdown most peoples' inbuilt aversion to killing isn't much different than shoot-em-up games.

Not doubting that, but have you got proof?

I know some militaries use ARMA for combat simulation, but more so for the tactics than the actual killing.

To be honest I can't imagine playing GTA, ripping around on a bike etc shooting people, then going out into the street and actually thinking that I could do it, and that if i did kill people etc that i'd get away with it. Surely people that do would already have a pre-disposed mental condition if they were thinking like that?

**jrandom** · 27th March 2008, 11:58

Originally Posted by MisterD

Some of the stuff the US military uses to breakdown most peoples' inbuilt aversion to killing isn't much different than shoot-em-up games.

Hmm, yes.

I've heard that switching to man-shaped targets instead of competition bullseye targets for infantry rifle training raised the effectiveness of the average rifleman in battle by an order of magnitude or more between WW1 and WW2.

Personally, though, the first time I killed something (it was either a goat or a deer, I can't remember) with a firearm came after a full decade of regularly mowing down virtual enemies on a PC.

The games didn't help me much. I stared at the animal over my rifle's sights and my finger trembled and my heart raced. I felt nauseous. I could barely bring myself to take the shot.

Only practice over time at actually killing things has allowed me to overcome my natural aversion to it. As I've stated here before, I consider it the moral responsibility of any non-vegetarian to come to terms with the reality of taking an animal's life, and to reconsider their meat-eating habits if they find themselves unable to do so.

Maybe I'm just a bit weird.

**jrandom** · 27th March 2008, 12:00

Originally Posted by R6_kid

... more so for the tactics than the actual killing.

I think Arse Sex Kid hits the nail on the head here when it comes to simulation-based military training.

**Morcs** · 27th March 2008, 12:06

Originally Posted by jrandom

I think Arse Sex Kid hits the nail on the head here when it comes to simulation-based military training.

Your head got nailed by a kid by simulated arse sex?

**Dave-** · 27th March 2008, 12:11

there's more to mass murder than pulling a trigger...there's more to racing in reality than holding X...

gaming has no negative influence on reality at all.

**Number One** · 27th March 2008, 12:20

Originally Posted by R6_kid

Totally different... PS2 games and full blown simulations are completely different things. Sure GT2 etc are pretty realistic for games, but that is all they are..

Mister D said as I was going to....

Originally Posted by R6_kid

I resent your comment that I lack 'ability' too... for one you don't even know me, and two you'd better cross your fingers and hope that I don't end up flying you around one day when I am a pilot

Awww...don't be sad! The fact that you 'resent my comment' (is btw a huge surprise!) when it was in only in response to 'something which you had yourself said and my perception of that' and as you have pointed out I don't know you - so chill man! As for the threat of flying me around some day -

Priceless! So you'd crash just to teach me a lesson for having the gall to respond to you on here in less than favourable fashion..

how many games have you been playing?

**MisterD** · 27th March 2008, 12:31

Originally Posted by R6_kid

Not doubting that, but have you got proof?

Other than a half-remembered disco channel program called The Truth About Killing or something like that...no.

I was more interested in the differences between ordinary 'close your eyes and wave the rifle generally in the direction of the enemy' types and the tiny percentage of lethal bastards like Charles Upham...

**PrincessBandit** · 27th March 2008, 14:57

Some very interesting responses. Thanks. I didn't think i mentioned anything about banning these games. It was only a point i raised to see what other people's opinions were and if anyone had ever wondered the same as me. Thanks whoever redded me for it, I'm not sure why you did since i wasn't recommending any course of action to "remedy" any situation, nor stating my opinion strongly or abusively.

**ManDownUnder** · 27th March 2008, 15:05

Originally Posted by jrandom

The games didn't help me much. I stared at the animal over my rifle's sights and my finger trembled and my heart raced. I felt nauseous. I could barely bring myself to take the shot.

To my mind those are the words of a real hunter. Respect for the animal first and foremost. I had it hammered into me by my favourite uncle at every opportunity.

Interesting how that compares with the goals and requirements of so many games isn't it?

Originally Posted by jrandom

Only practice over time at actually killing things has allowed me to overcome my natural aversion to it. As I've stated here before, I consider it the moral responsibility of any non-vegetarian to come to terms with the reality of taking an animal's life, and to reconsider their meat-eating habits if they find themselves unable to do so.

Maybe I'm just a bit weird.

Wierd? Nope. Bingo (God that's a couple of times I've backed you up in a couple of days... you slip something into my lunch?)

To clarify on the coming to terms with their actions though, all I ask is they are aware and acknowledge their desire to eat meat and/or wear leather/feathers/whatever directly causes the deaty of an animal. I know the remorse that comes with the death of an animal (interestingly, some more than others...).

I respect the fact that killing is an act detestable to some to the point they could not do it themselves - no problem with that. But when they hold me to task for it, all the while wearing a leather belt? ummmmm no

**Str8 Jacket** · 27th March 2008, 15:08

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

Some very interesting responses. Thanks. I didn't think i mentioned anything about banning these games. It was only a point i raised to see what other people's opinions were and if anyone had ever wondered the same as me. Thanks whoever redded me for it, I'm not sure why you did since i wasn't recommending any course of action to "remedy" any situation, nor stating my opinion strongly or abusively.

And before you start flailing widely, it was not me......

**ManDownUnder** · 27th March 2008, 15:09

Originally Posted by Dave-

gaming has no negative influence on reality at all.

Disagree. While I don't think it creates a blood lust in everyone to sit in front of an X-Box console ... gaming is the reality for anyone that's never picked up a rifle or seen the light of life go out in the eyes of something you shoot.

In the game you die... and get another life. Not so in real life. The consequences of a single bad decision with a gun or a car can never be undone.