Thompson Vs. Lanning on Game Violence

This past weekend Lorne Lanning (of Oddworld fame) and notorious anti-games lawyer Jack Thompson took the stage at the Philadelphia Convention Center to debate the issue of videogame violence. Joystiq has a blow-by-blow liveblog of the event, while Wired offers up a considered synopsis of the event. From that piece: "Lanning laid into Thompson for having a 'business plan' that cashed in on the grief of victim's families, a point he would make throughout the rest of the debate. Thompson seemed both offended and confused by the suggestion, asking how exactly he was making money off his efforts, a point Lanning never really did answer. At one point, Thompson said 'no one in their right mind would say that a videogame by itself would turn an angel into a demon,' but seemed to be splitting his message."

Comments

Stop Arguing With Him

[MrJack5304]

I wish people would just ignore Jack Thompson. Arguing with him (poorly in most cases) only adds fuel to his fire. He wants publicity and the more people who argue with him give him the publicity he craves. Just let this man die out of the public eye and continue on your merry way. Start worrying about him when there is a possibility of anti-gaming legislation being passed.

Re:Stop Arguing With Him

[Ragein]

Ignoring people doesn't promote healthy debate, If anything this should be discussed publicly and everyone with a stake in the issue allowed to have their say in truth this won't happen as the big media company's that give him Tv time will not care enough about proper reporting to allow the other opinions the same air time. If we ignore the issue and allow only one side to be portrayed then when this does come to the courts most non gamers will have been brainwashed with Thompsonite ideals and simply think they know all of the facts already.

Sounds like /. was there in the crowd

[techpawn]

They weren't there for intelligent discourse, they wanted their shot at telling Thompson he was a jackass. It's particularly regrettable because the people asking questions usually had good points to make, but the way they chose to make them was mocking and disrespectful.

How can we want the first amendment and claim it protects every jackass if we're going to turnaround and blast him first his ability to use it. I don't agree with the man, but someone has to be the thorn. Hate what he says, but give him his ability to say it and then come back at him a reasonably sound argument. When we act like loons we only make him look sane

Re:Sounds like /. was there in the crowd

[Chris Burke]

I'm saying for the amount of love we give that right in particular, we are the first to mock another's right to freely use it. We (like the crowd) use it as a shield to scorn others, but all in all the crowds reaction was one of mocking rather than voicing their concerns and frustrations in a calm rational way.

We're not mocking his right to use it, we're mocking the words that come out of his mouth during his use of it. Where's our first amendment right to mock idiots? This is exactly what I'm saying -- the issue of respecting someone's First Amendment Rights to speak has nothing at all to do with respecting what they say.

I say the better plan for that debate would be to ask him questions to which we know he'll give answers that contradict his case. From the sounds of it, he won this debate hands down against both Lanning and the crowd.

Maybe, maybe not. You "lose" a debate with JT just by giving him the attention. I think the best strategy is not to engage him in debate at all, because he's at his self-destructive best when given free reign to explain his unique way of thinking.

save it for the judge

[SirSlud]

The only person I want arguing with Jack Thompson is a court of law.

So far, they seem to have been pretty effective at nullifying any lasting effects his demogogeury might have on state or federal legistlation.

angels and demons

[nuzak]

> Thompson said, "no one in their right mind would say that a videogame by itself would turn an angel into a demon"

True, but that first clause about being on one's right mind is a real sticky wicket, ain't it, Jack?

In seriousness, he's been acting a lot more rational these days. Maybe the disciplinary hearing before the Florida Bar that he's facing this month has sobered him up?

These debates with Thompson are counterproductive

[Itchyeyes]

These debates with Thompson are counterproductive. I have the highest respect for Lanning and the games he makes, but the fact remains that he is a game developer. Putting him in a debate against a veteran trial lawyer, even one as crazy as Thompson, is like scheduling a scrimmage between the chess club and the varsity football team.