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HappySqurriel on 20 August 2007
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Sqrl said:
HappySqurriel said:

There is a proven theory in psychology that a (typically repeated) fantasy about performing an action has a similar effect on the subconscious as actually performing the action itself; this works in good ways as well as bad ways because a psychologist can use it to help someone with their phobia through focused imagination, at the same time though child pornography allows paedophiles to build their appetite and cross boundaries which would be less likely in the absence of child pornography.

 

Now, I'm not sure that the ESRB is focusing on the right thing with their ratings ... I do not believe that the graphic nature of the outcome is nearly as important as the action that is performed itself.


 I see where you are coming from on this, but I have to ask you what insignificantly small section of the population are we going to cater to next?  People should not be asked to give up freedoms to suit the needs of what is probably less than 1% of 1% of the population.  I won't claim to have exact stats(perhaps someone could dig these up?) but I see no reason that such a small minority should be the cause of censoring/filtering my entertainment.

I don't think you can censor/ban/blame games for these disturbed people going off any more than you can blame a lighter for a firecracker blowing off somebodies finger.  The problem is not the lighter it's the irresonsible person not handling the fireworks properly.  

 


What I was talking about was something that shams just posted about ... In my opinion the content of violence and graphic imagery is far less important than the context that it is delivered in.

If you take a 13 year old and have them work in a trauma center where they end up seeing horrible images of people losing limbs, being horribly burnt, and having pussy-rashes (and other assorted disgusting things) there is probably far less psychological harm being done than if you take a 25 year old and have them play a game with N64 level graphics where they torture puppies for points.

I'm not saying that violent games should be banned but I do think it is important to acknowlege that their may be harm caused and try to encourage developers not to push the boundries for the sake of pushing the boundries.