Blame The Video Game Lawyer Strikes Again
from the this-sounds-familiar... dept
Back in June we had a story about a lawyer trying to blame video games for some crimes. A few weeks later we had another such story that noted all of these cases (and a few more) all seemed to be filed by a lawyer named Jack Thompson who has declared himself an "expert" on video games and crime and is involved in every such lawsuit. So, it was no surprise at all to be reading about the latest lawsuit, where the family of a motorist who was killed by some moron kids is suing the makers of Grand Theft Auto, and see that it's Jack Thompson acting as the lawyer, yet again. No one denies that these kids deserve to be locked up for a long long time - but it's their fault that they did this. Blaming the video game that they (and millions of others) play takes the responsibility away from the guilty folks who actually committed the crime. These lawsuits border on frivolous, as they're clearly designed to go after those with money and take responsibility off of those who actually committed the crime.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
But
The entertainment industry likes to spew its propaganda about how fictional violence has no effect whatsoever on juvenile viewers. However, we also notice they refrain from showing more extreme forms of violence -- we don't see games like "Domestic Violence", "Serial Rapist", or "Columbine Carnage".
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: But
Well-adjusted individuals know the difference between a video game and real life. If they don't, it's a sign of some larger problem, that was likely to show up whether or not they were playing a particular video game.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: But
The issue is one of probability. How many people would not have rampaged or stolen cars, if there was no Grand Theft Auto? One? Ten? One hundred? It may be difficult to find people who acknowledge that Grand Theft Auto was directly responsible for their actions; but how many people are affected to a lesser extent, of running through a red light, etc.?
"Well-adjusted individuals know the difference between a video game and real life."
Most people think they know the difference. However, most people are influenced by their environment to an extent greater than they realize. There are many studies of "perfectly" normal people who are triggered into temporary states of insanity through environmental stimuli, be they rampaging mobs or whatever else.
"If they don't, it's a sign of some larger problem, that was likely to show up whether or not they were playing a particular video game."
The fact is that everyone has problems waiting to surface, given the right conditions.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
video games and violence
In any event, I'd like to uphold that people are susceptible to social/psychological and emotional forces, and that's just part of being a human. Kids, generally, are more susceptible. You know, it's just like peer pressure - as you grow up you are stronger in your own character and have frankly, just lived longer, and tend to not react as much.
BUT, my idea is that parents need to raise their kids correctly. Video games can't be used as a babysitter or substitute parent. Parents have to endear themselves to their children and love them in a way that's more conducive to...well...love. That helps a kid grow up more well-rounded and with the ability to discern reality from fantasy.
Gamerdad.com had a pretty good article up about this too.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: video games and violence
Kids did horrible things before there were movies, record albums, TV, or video games. In 1874 Jesse Pomeroy sadistically killed a four year-old boy just for fun, shortly after he had strangled a ten year-old girl as well. He had no electronic inspiration for his crimes. Kids don't need inspiration to do bad things. Kids will do horrible things when holodecks become reality too. And whoever invents the holodeck will get sued by a bunch of irate parents too.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: But
"The issue is one of probability. How many people would not have rampaged or stolen cars, if there was no Grand Theft Auto? One? Ten? One hundred? It may be difficult to find people who acknowledge that Grand Theft Auto was directly responsible for their actions; but how many people are affected to a lesser extent, of running through a red light, etc.?"
How many people would not have been killed last year if the speed limit was 15mph instead of 55?
Heck, how many people would still be alive if we outlaw automobiles?
What about movies? We know some killers have been "triggered" by movies...lets cancel movies.
You know what? Books probably influence people...gives them ideas...might influence them to violence...light up the bonfire dude, we got books that need burning.
Heck, you know? Now that I think about it, people just talking to each other does lead to violence...lets just stop talking.
You say "given the right conditions" I say "given ANY conditions" some people have problems that lead to violence, is that the fault of the "conditions" or the problems? Don't blame the video game, lets have some personal responsibilities here....
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: But
Heck, how many people would still be alive if we outlaw automobiles?"
That's a cost vs. benefit issue. In crowded quarters, we do post lower speed limits for that very reason.
"What about movies? We know some killers have been "triggered" by movies...lets cancel movies."
While there are many violent movies, almost all of them do contain a hidden moral message in which killers are bad, and the only "good" killers are those who act in self-defense, or to serve our country. I haven't seen too many movies where mass murder (in general) is shown as a good thing.
"You know what? Books probably influence people...gives them ideas...might influence them to violence...light up the bonfire dude, we got books that need burning."
Censorship does already happen. There are books that mainstream book stores will not carry. There are some novels from the 1950s, written by communist or fascist authors discussing allied atrocities, that are still banned in the Western world.
"Heck, you know? Now that I think about it, people just talking to each other does lead to violence...lets just stop talking."
We do have laws against inciting riots, slander, or libel.
"You say "given the right conditions" I say "given ANY conditions" some people have problems that lead to violence, is that the fault of the "conditions" or the problems? Don't blame the video game, lets have some personal responsibilities here...."
It's both. People can only take responsibility to such a degree, therefore we need laws to deal with the human limitations.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Violent Vid.Games
[ link to this | view in thread ]
One thing we are forgetting
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: But
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]