It might be nice to look more closely at what we mean by violence and its role in society.
I work in a busy, downtown cafe. One morning, a street person assaulted a woman on a front step. Nothing too serious, just grabbed her and wouldn't let her go. This happened in full view of maybe 20 people. Most didn't even seem to really register what what happening. Those that did, froze up. I was the only one to do anything. I ran across the cafe, got between them, pushed the man back to separate them. I didn't think about it, I just did it. The whole thing was over in less time than it would have taken to call 911.
My combat training? Half-Life. Neverwinter Nights. Fallout 2.
Obviously, this isn't scientific, but it's just possible that there is a significant link between playing the hero and being the hero. Maybe we need to examine the roll of videogames in crime prevention. Or maybe the roll of television in passivity when our fellow humans are in danger.
Cranky Otter
Slashdot Mirror
It might be nice to look more closely at what we mean by violence and its role in society. I work in a busy, downtown cafe. One morning, a street person assaulted a woman on a front step. Nothing too serious, just grabbed her and wouldn't let her go. This happened in full view of maybe 20 people. Most didn't even seem to really register what what happening. Those that did, froze up. I was the only one to do anything. I ran across the cafe, got between them, pushed the man back to separate them. I didn't think about it, I just did it. The whole thing was over in less time than it would have taken to call 911. My combat training? Half-Life. Neverwinter Nights. Fallout 2. Obviously, this isn't scientific, but it's just possible that there is a significant link between playing the hero and being the hero. Maybe we need to examine the roll of videogames in crime prevention. Or maybe the roll of television in passivity when our fellow humans are in danger. Cranky Otter