Bill Introduced To Require Bogus 'Warnings' On Video Games
from the junk-science dept
For years, we've looked closely at the various research on video games and aggression, and time and time again what comes up is that there's no clear link. Sure, some studies purport to show a link, but it's always in the interpretation, rather than the data. When you dig into the data you find something entirely different. At best, the studies have shown that people get emotional while playing video games, and that emotion may carry over for a short period of time. But there's nothing that shows it leads to increased violence. In fact, some of the research suggests that such content can often act as an outlet.So it seems especially ridiculous to find out that Representative Joe Baca has decided to introduce a bill into Congress called the Video Game Health Labeling Act, which would require warning labels on video games which read:
WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behaviorOf course, this is silly for a whole bunch of reasons. First, it's not true, as discussed above. Some researchers have claimed this, but the research does not actually support it. Second, what a total waste of time. It's not as if anyone will actually pay attention to these labels anyway. One of the other backers of the bill, Rep. Frank Wolf made the following statement in support:
"Just as we warn smokers of the health consequences of tobacco, we should warn parents -- and children -- about the growing scientific evidence demonstrating a relationship between violent video games and violent behavior.... As a parent and grandparent, I think it is important people know everything they can about the extremely violent nature of some of these games."Except, as noted, the scientific evidence says no such thing. And, on top of that, there's already a (voluntary, but widely used) ratings system for video games, such that any buyers can easily find out about the nature of the games they're buying. A warning label doesn't change that at all.
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Filed Under: frank wolf, joe baca, video games, violence, warning labels
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Great idea!
Social Media: WARNING: Excessive exposure to Facebook and other social media has been linked to divorce
Movies & Music: WARNING: Excessive exposure to movies, music, and other art has been linked to sexual behavior, violent and aggressive behavior, and depression
4Chan: WARNING: Excessive exposure to the Internet and other violent media has been linked to 4Chan
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Re: Great idea!
FTFY =)
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Re: Great idea!
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Re: Re: Great idea!
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Re: Re: Re: Great idea!
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Re: Great idea!
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Re: Re: Great idea!
I'm insulted that you prefer Darryl's comments.
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Re:
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Re: Re:
TWEET! Congressional foul! Intentional retardedness. The gentleman is fined 15k in campaign contributions. Repeat second down.
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Only 15k? Wouldn't that be less than a single bribe...er...contribution from one of the *IAA's?
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i think we could find 1000 in a week or two
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Re:
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My Warning
*Linked in the same way that driving a sports car has been linked to poor performance in bed."
I swear if I ever make a video or a game, that warning is going in the beginning.
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Government's Job...
...
Slap a warning label on it
...
We're done here.
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I'm still wondering...
It did, however, teach me that no matter how impressive someone's castle, the princess is always elsewhere....
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Re: I'm still wondering...
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Re: Re: I'm still wondering...
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Re: Re: Re: I'm still wondering...
Sorry, I don't mean to keep pressing buttons....
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Princess
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Repeated stupidity
Apparently, the press release for the Video Game Health Labeling Act of 2011 references all of the same studies and quotes as the press release for the 2009 attempt.
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Re: Repeated stupidity
FTFY!
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Warning: Dumpy old politicians trying to regulate what they don't understand can cause failure and wasted time.
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On a separate note...
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Re: On a separate note...
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Re: On a separate note...
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View of the past and future.
A. Protect the Children via [fill in the blank]
B. New "solution" to the ratings system and why studios should[moral] consider a wider audience.
C. Finally my thesis and thread starter on the forums; The answer to why we restrict a persons choice on things they buy based on the arbitrariness of age.
And those f'n kids
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Re: View of the past and future.
Ah... the joys of Child worship
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(gotta love Jim Gaffigan!)
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interestingly, R18 seems to either mean porn, shooters set in non-sci-fi settings, or large quantities of gore, here. R16 seems to be excessive swearing and cursing and general illegal behavior. or something like that. it's hard to tell.
basically amounts to 'any game worth touching with a barge pole is either rated M or is a strategy game with out of date graphics. unless it's a shooter, in which case it's probably R# regardless.'
also, 'violent video games linked to aggressive behavior' ... technically true if you think about it. saying there's a link doesn't specify the nature or direction of that link.
problem is, much like the phrase 'going forward', US political speak and newspaper headlines have corrupted the original meaning. (seriously, there is one specific context where 'going forward' makes sense, and i heard Obama use it a couple of times in speeches early on. since then I've encountered Americans, businessmen, and politicians using it every damn time they mean 'in future' 'in the future' or anything of that nature despite the result being nonsense. come on, i mean, if you're going to copy odd turns of phrase like that, at least use them properly...)
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also
Wait till your stuff gets rolled up, then you will wish there were warnings.
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Re:
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Hypocrisy
If they want to do away with regulations - get rid of them ALL, social and business.
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Re: Hypocrisy
Politics...
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*Agressive Warning*
/sarc
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