NY Videogame Bill Undermines ESRB

GamePolitics is reporting that a bill introduced just four days ago in New York's senate will soon become the law of the land. Written by Rep. Andrew Lanza, the bill's goals are extremely vague. Aiming to 'crack down on video game violence', the bill will 'establish the Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence to review the [ESRB] rating system and its effectiveness, and recommend additional steps that can be taken to curb children's access and exposure to such adult-only material.' Unsurprisingly after drawing on public fear and a lack of education to ram through useless legislation, Lanza isn't above some gloating. "Speaking in support of his bill, Sen. Lanza apparently couldn't resist drawing on the shock value of controversial amateur game V-Tech Rampage (which he mistakenly refers to as V-Tech Massacre), even though his legislation would have no effect at all on this non-industry, non-retail, non-rated, non-professional Flash game: The recent release of 'V-Tech Massacre,' a sick game which exploits the Virginia Tech University tragedy, is a painful reminder of the culture of violence which has severe consequences on our youth and society ..." Along with Best Buy's decision to include CMA ratings on videogames, this would seem to be another harsh blow to the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

Comments

Re:THINKOFTHECHILDREN!

[drinkypoo]

Then send them to schools where the local bully has the say, with teachers looking the other way 'cause that's not their problem

...or because they think you need a swift asskicking, because that's how it was in their day.

Frankly I think that sending a child to public school is just one step away from child abuse, for a whole variety of reasons. Bullying is just a minor part. Public schools in America are incredibly poor educators of children, and are really just brainwashing clinics. It begins in the morning with the pledge of allegiance and its placement of you (along with the whole nation) under "God". You're then compelled to sit in rows and your most important mission is to not stand out. The "No Child Left Behind" fiasco means that we are now compelled on paper to create as mediocre a class as possible; you must spend all your time with the slowest kids, bringing them up to speed, instead of the smartest kids, who could achieve more than everyone else in the class combined if only they were nurtured.

I could go on, but everything is wrong with the public school system. It's just one more reason I've elected not to reproduce. If I can't afford to give my offspring an upbringing not intended to make them into a burger-flipper, it would be horribly irresponsible of me to have any.