Curse

Lasareth · Oct 20, 2005, 04:19 AM // 04:19

A lot of you have probably already heard about Jack Thompson, the radical anti-videogame lawyer. Some of you are probably even familiar with what's been going on recently. For those who aren't, here's the entire event in short: Gamers are fighting back

The entire incident predates the correspondence outlined in www.penny-arcade.com 's news sections. In short, Thompson blames the violence in youthful society on video games, and even paints the gamers themselves in a poor light, accusing [us] of being "on drugs" as well as easily influenced by our surroundings.

Recently, he proposed that if a game were to be made in which violence is portrayed not unlike the same forms that he speaks out against(http://gc.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=5883). Usually a safe thing to do just because of the absurdity of the idea, except this time someone actually did it.

Thompson reneged on his proposal, and didn't donate the money to charity, claiming what he said was simply in "satire." Shortly afterwards, Penny Arcade creators "Gabe" and "Tycho" sent the same amount of money to charity, in his name. At this point, Thompson is threatening legal action for defamation of character and harassment against him. Pretty funny stuff.

So, topic of discussion: What do you guys think about what's happened? Does a crusade like Thompson's really justify the actions he took? And, what are your opinions on the reactions of the community of gamers out there to this whole fiasco?

I think all that this has shown is that there are issues of moderation and extrema when it comes to the entire situation. Thompson's a radical, but a vocal one. It's good to see gamers working to fight this stereotypical exaggeration by means that are far more tactful than those used against them, to pin them down, and to gag them up.

When all is said and done, the $10,000 comes from the gamers and not from the hyperbole surrounding the vocal minority speaking out against them. It's good to see happening.

Cheers

[Posters: Keep this thread tactful, at least, and let's see any differing viewpoints on the matter]

Mods: I've looked through every forum rule, none specify this type of topic as being against the rules. I would appreciate that it be kept open if the discussion within stays reasonable and on-topic. This is an issue that involves most of the posters here--the gaming community that people like Thompson seek to place in a poor view. I think it has merit being discussed and debated in a forum like this.

Sources:
http://hellfish.gtajunkies.com/Story.html
http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000743063662/
http://www.theesa.com/foundation/index.php
http://www.gamepolitics.com/
http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000627063759
http://vgcats.com/

Guillaume De Sonoma · Oct 20, 2005, 05:00 AM // 05:00

Well most of the gamers around here are bright as far as I can tell from all around the world. I'm sure that if all of us ralleied against him in unity and IF all else fails were pretty sadistic, somewhat sociopathic and would know many ways to get him to change his opinion. Sit him down with doom for a few hours or make him play something like Carebares 3 for 20 hours straight. I'm sure he would prefer doom and release that we are right and he's wrong. Now I'm not saying video games don't affect us but they only encourage anti-social thoguhts and tendencies.

Edit: "I was on my elevator and two white kids got on and i dove off. I said 'y'all ain't killin' me' cause you know what if your whiteand under 25 i'm scared of you. Why because now a days its nothing but white kids shooting up the school why'no one would play with us we had no friends' hell i saw teh year book trechcoat mafia there was 6 of them. Ididn't have 6 friends in high school i don't have sick friends now. And today people want to know what video games were they playing, what were they listening to, what movies where they watchin'. Who gives a RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GO what they were watchin whatever happened to crazy. Can't you be crazy no more..." Chris Rock Bigger and Blacker

Aracos79 · Oct 20, 2005, 05:23 AM // 05:23

Nit-picking comment: Jack Thompson is a lawyer, not a senator. Although... Florida governor Jeb Bush is allowing HIM to author a bill restricting video games sales in Florida to bring before the state legislature. And here I thought law makers were supposed to write laws... silly me.

Thompson is a crusader and an ideologue. And like most people of that persuation, little of what he says is logical or makes any sense. They can't actually construct an arguement to support their positions. They can simply make loud, obnoxious statements and belittle anyone who opposes them.

However, in the wake of events like Columbine and the "GTA cop killings" he now has public support for his insanity. Joe Six-Pack and millions of other Americans will swallow his BS because the media tells them to. God bless the American people.

Mr. Thompson, I'd like to introduce you to something. It's called the Constitution of the United States. In it we have something called "free speech" (ok so we don't REALLY have free speech... but that's a whole new topic outside the scope of this board). You, and people like you, can't restrict the rights of companies to make whatever kind of games they want. Furthermore, you can't restrict our right to buy them. Retailers already take steps to prevent the sale of violent gamers to minors, and they don't need government interference.

So Mr. Thompson, feel free to sit at home and play the latest "Mary Kate and Ashley" game. I'll be kicking back with Halo 2. Have a nice day.

Lasareth · Oct 20, 2005, 05:26 AM // 05:26

Mm, crap. I knew I made a mistake

I usually associate crazy people with politics.

My mistake

Thanks for the input so far!

Guillaume De Sonoma · Oct 20, 2005, 05:42 AM // 05:42

Yeah and I just have to say that it will never work. The video game industry is the fastest growing industry in the world and i guess its like the german blitscrieg and Jack Thompson is not the russian winter. woot for history channel.

Edge Martinez · Oct 20, 2005, 05:49 AM // 05:49

How about letting adults decide what games they will play? How about letting parents decide what games their kids will play?

Obviously this guy has brains to make it to his current station in life. There's so much more good he could be doing than trying to police video games.

SOT · Oct 20, 2005, 05:50 AM // 05:50

I think this thread deserves a sticky, because it extrapolates on many, many serious issues that affect each of us as gamers. I think that in the long run, whether that nadsack is successfull or not, his actions, and the precedent he will undoubtably set, will very much affect gaming, all sides that surround it, and perhaps end up looking very much like the comic-book-code phenomenon.

Thanks for sharing this Lasareth.

kg_lildude1 · Oct 20, 2005, 05:52 AM // 05:52

we have to fight back!

someone call triple X

D.E.V.i.A.N.C.E · Oct 20, 2005, 05:53 AM // 05:53

Funny; I wore a trench coat (black leather) at school yet the principles/deans asked me for information about other students.
Define humanity then try to pass your bill, Mr. Jack Thompson.

please get me off this planet of the blame game.

Accept the fact that society is pissed off at each other and everyone becomes violent.

what teenager isnt pissed off about conforming to land a job anywhere; the job market sucks and we all know where that leads.

now for blaming new media for these problems; 85% bull.
the rest is bored kids that need something to do; who isnt bored now?

TheEPIC · Oct 20, 2005, 05:57 AM // 05:57

I don't get why all these political types are so put off by gamers. I swear it is quite possibly the most retarded notion to say that things like video games or music is what causes kids to do violent things.

SOT · Oct 20, 2005, 06:03 AM // 06:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheEPIC

I don't get why all these political types are so put off by gamers. I swear it is quite possibly the most retarded notion to say that things like video games or music is what causes kids to do violent things.

They're jealous that on a whim we can swing large battle axes at symbolic foes, while they can only wield pens.

TheEPIC · Oct 20, 2005, 06:08 AM // 06:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOT

They're jealous that on a whim we can swing large battle axes at symbolic foes, while they can only wield pens.

That must be it!!

SOT · Oct 20, 2005, 06:16 AM // 06:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOT

They're jealous that on a whim we can swing large battle axes at symbolic foes, while they can only wield pens.

That and, we just have more frags and don't hide them.

D.E.V.i.A.N.C.E · Oct 20, 2005, 06:17 AM // 06:17

He's mad because the 14y/os own him in Counter Strike.
FPS DOUG GO!!!!
children arnt the only ones who are violent.

SOT · Oct 20, 2005, 06:19 AM // 06:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.E.V.i.A.N.C.E

He's mad because the 14y/os own him in Counter Strike.
FPS DOUG GO!!!!
children arnt the only ones who are violent.

Well, his belief some of us aren't bright has merit in some instances...

a_scrawny_gnoll01 · Oct 20, 2005, 06:23 AM // 06:23

...his argument is pointless. It's bassed off wild assumptions.

"Kids who play violent video games will become violent. Look at Collumbine. KKTHXBYE!"

and I could counter with a completely irrelevant, yet similar comparison that stands as much ground as his complaint.

"99.9% of Americans have eatten some kind of baby food. Some_random_killer06 did not eat baby food while he was a baby...
therefore NOT EATTING BABY FOOD TURNS YOU INTO A PSYCHOPATHIC KILLER!"

Assumptions are the leading cause of ALL errors.

D.E.V.i.A.N.C.E · Oct 20, 2005, 06:23 AM // 06:23

Well we do have bush in office; yes I would agree some of us aren't bright.

GO NADAR ROFL

SOT · Oct 20, 2005, 06:26 AM // 06:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_scrawny_gnoll01

...his argument is pointless. It's bassed off wild assumptions.

"Kids who play violent video games will become violent. Look at Collumbine. KKTHXBYE!"

and I could counter with a completely irrelevant, yet similar comparison that stands as much ground as his complaint.

"99.9% of Americans have eatten some kind of baby food. Some_random_killer06 did not eat baby food while he was a baby...
therefore NOT EATTING BABY FOOD TURNS YOU INTO A PSYCHOPATHIC KILLER!"

Assumptions are the leading cause of ALL errors.

Someone make this person a mod TODAY.

One and Two · Oct 20, 2005, 06:27 AM // 06:27

People argue that this is the second gilded age.

If you remember (or learned at all) the first gilded age of American history had the prominent people of the time working in entrepreneul lines, while politicians were paid to do the will of the elite. I would argue that this is true of today, no?

Gee. I wonder why companies sponsor politicians in campaigns? For multimillion dollars...

kg_lildude1 · Oct 20, 2005, 06:27 AM // 06:27

i have to agree with deviance but i'll change the wording,

the job market SUCKS atm and kids do realize this, they want to get as much play in as they can before their life goes to crapville

if they don't want us to be violent, take away

our games
our books
our art
and let them take complete control of our minds, then we will all be mindless "nice" vegetable heads