How Videogames Became the Bogeyman

Tom Leupold, writing for the Inside Bay Area site, explores why videogames have become an American bogeyman. Talking with prof. Dmitri Williams, he discusses the rise, fall, and resurrection of games as a part of mainstream society. From the article: "Today, as games have once again infiltrated the mainstream, a growing number of adults are again enjoying gaming and understand there are games that are appropriate for different age groups. But that hasn't stopped crusaders from trying to censor them in the name of 'saving' the children. Williams, 34, said those under 38 have a different view of games than their elders. Most have grown up with games and, like television for the previous generation, games are embedded in their culture. "

Comments

How Videogames Became the Bogeyman

[rob1980]

See: How Rock'n'Roll Music Became the Bogeyman in 1950. Bunch of wound-up old people that don't like change.

Re:How Videogames Became the Bogeyman

[Gnostic Ronin]

You forgot comic books. People honestly thought Batman comics and True Crime comic books would make kids go out and kill people. Before that, I think Flappers were the end of Western Civilization.

In fact, I think everything that came along since the Roman Era has been the "End of Western Civilization". Kids have always been lazier and less interested in knowledge than privious generations. Evil currupting forces have always pulled them from the Straight and Narrow(TM). Even Christianity, when it first came along was a threat.

Some parent's don't like responsibility

[Eightyford]

First it was radio... then it was television, rock and roll and comic books. After that it was video games, rap, heavy metal, and goth music. Now it's the internet and more realistic games.

Message to parents! If your child screws up, it is probably your fault! Sucks, doesn't it?

Re:Some parent's don't like responsibility

[Anonymous Coward]

"Message to parents! If your child screws up, it is probably your fault!"

Or possibly the child's...

(That shouldn't seem like a radical idea, yet somehow always seems to be missed.)

Lobbying Money

[WiseWeasel]

I'm willing to be it's because television, music a movie industry interests are lobbying our representatives to place restrictions on the games industry, which they see as a threat. The games industry just isn't ponying up enough money to counterract the rest of the entertainment industry's lobbying dollars and stay off the regulation radar, and now they're paying the price. It's a terrible way to run a country, but people in power are making too much money to change it...

Bogeyman is right

[digitalhermit]

Back in my time it was Dungeons and Dragons. You'd watch the news and see these "exposes" on the kids who are LEARNING TO LOVE SATAN because of the EVIL D&D game. Oh yeah, and Satanism was also a dire threat to our kids. Oh and Styx and Kiss too. Then 2 Live Crew. My neighbor tells me that in his day it was Bob Dylan that was symptomatic of evil.

Games? Oh yes...

[Criceratops]

Yes, games are a terrible waste of our time and money, and a contributor to drinking, institutionalized violence, and selling sex!

It sucks billions and billions out of foolish peoples' pockets...

More riots, beatings, and other assorted violence take place because of games!

During games, people are exposed to repeated messages selling them alcohol and sex as well!

Did I mention that hundreds of pro and amateurs are permanently injured or killed playing these "harmless" games?

In fact, there are numerous studies proving that these games suck money away from vital education programs and game-players often score lower on standardized tests!


Yes, they are evil.

Wait a sec, we *are* talking about sports aren't we??? ... ooops!

Re:Music is the weapon. Retail is the defense.

[l0cust]

Well said. Though I think there is another aspect of why the hip-hop/rap thing did not get so much OPEN negative publicity. It may sound a bit NPC but the whole hip-hop/rap culture is generally associated with the black community and no politician or major public figure would risk commenting openly against it for the fear of being dubbed a racist. OTH calling games the reason for their sons/daughter indulging in sex/violences/whatever accomplishes two goals - It absolves them of the responsiblities of the actions of their children by providing a proverbial witch to be burnt at stake, plus it there is no obvious race/culture/demographic attached with the games so they can curse it all they want without fear of repercussions from potential voters etc.

I honestly don't know what to make of the current situation. It is really easy for me to imagine all old ignorant hags sitting in the position of power and trying to restrict my choices/actions/thoughts for monetary, power or whatever reason but then it may happen that when our generation comes to that stage and have the same kind of power in our hands, we may end up trying to restrict something which (some of us atleast) genuinely feel is wrong but is really popular with the younger generation. Oh well, I just hope the concept of karma works. Will suck really if things don't balance out in the long run.