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Video Game Use Linked To Breast Feeding

In order to demonstrate the ridiculousness of some recent studies which grabbed media headlines by claiming "links" between video games and all sorts of negative behavior (such as violence and the lower-quality relationships), Ars Technica's Ben Kuchera did an experiment of his own: "I started calling people I knew, and I asked if they had one or more video games in the house. Then I asked if they breast-fed their children. To my great shock, most answered 'yes' to both. One couple I contacted switched to formula after their child's birth, and told me that they didn't play video games. The data, based on my first round of calls, was conclusive: if you play video games, you are much more likely to breast-feed your children. You're probably ready to shoot five thousand holes in my argument. ... I did my job though, and you clicked on the headline." He goes on point out flaws in media reports and legislation involving such claims.

7 of 94 comments (clear)

  1. I'm not believing... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Pics, or it didn't happen.

  2. Re:Idle by In+hydraulis · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Ben Kuchera presents a satirical critique on the much-touted, supposedly causative video games-violence correlation.

    Certainly not idle material.

  3. Before and After by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    One couple I contacted switched to formula after their child's birth

    So they were breastfeeding before their child's birth???

  4. Re:Idiot by Crumplecorn · · Score: 5, Informative

    He's basically making the following claim: I can do a non-scientific survey and publish the results. Therefore, anyone publishing results must also be doing a non-scientific survey.

    Try RTFA.

    The claim he is making is that people publish results using correlation to imply causation just to get readers, with a nonsensical example to emphasise the point which, lo and behold, got people to read it.

    The problem is that, as someone said above, he is 'preaching to the converted'.

  5. Wait, this is that sarcasm thing again right? by Dunbal · · Score: 5, Funny

    Damn, and I was about to publish my study about the link between video game playing and breathing! 100% of gamers I have interviewed actually breathe between 10-20 times per minute. My interviews with non breathers at the local cemetery was a disaster, but I noticed that none of them play games! I think I'm on to something.

    --
    Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
  6. In yet another study linked to breastfeeding... by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... it was found that well over 95% of people who use hard drugs, started out on milk.

    Quite obviously, milk is a "gateway drug" and must be outlawed! "It's for the children."

  7. Re:faildot by cbiltcliffe · · Score: 5, Informative

    Whoosh.

    Everybody. Fucking WHOOSH!!

    It's not that there's a scientific link between breast feeding and video games. The author is making a sarcastic point about the ridiculousness of the studies, and the tenuousness of the link between video games and violence.

    Think, people.

    --
    "City hall" in German is "Rathaus" Kinda explains a few things......