Video Games

[jazzy_dave]

I slept really well last night. That journey must have tired me out. It was also a very nice pleasant sunny day after the last two dismal rain-soaked days.

Watched an Horizon science programme on the iPlayer last night about video games of all things. It was discussing whether violent video games were progenitors of violence in real life or not, and it was argued that it does seem to increase the propensity for violence, and that other factors such as frustration can also lead to such anti-social behaviour. They showed a version of Tetrus which was designed to increase frustration as the game designers introduced blocks into it randomly that would no way fit the rest of the blocks coming down. Anyway, a totally fascinating subject.

Link to programme here -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06cjypk/horizon-20142015-19-are-video-games-really-that-bad

"Horizon -
2014-2015: 19. Are Video Games Really That Bad?
Horizon explores the differing opinions on video games. They frequently stand accused of causing violence and addiction in young people - but is there truth in the claim?"

Comments

[kabuldur.livejournal.com]

Yes, travelling will do that to you :P

Hmmm...I've long been puzzled at how there has always been denial about violent video games and how it might effect players to become violent themselves. I'm not really surprised at these findings.

I don't know if video games would cause addiction in general, but people do become addicted TO video games!

[evilzerg-r.livejournal.com]

Well, internet itself is a major source of frustration and progenitor of violence

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

I think that video games can be a good outlet, but I also do not believe they lead to violent behaviors. I think if those behaviors are already prevelant, it can excerbate them, but I do not think video games are the actual cause of violence and violent behavior. I think it is just a convenient excuse. After all, if it is not video games it is tv. If it is not tv it is books.

Just another way for society to fob its ills (and people who are unwell) off on something that is a good, enjoyable and sometimes healthy outlet for some (that may have some downsides for abberant personalities). In other words, because no one can FIND a real cause, they'll point to one that is misunderstood. And rather then fix or find cause and eliminate effect, people will just be lazy and place blame rather than doing anything about the complaint.

*HUGS*

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

I tend to agree. Also, as the programme commented , video games can help you concentrate and focus on a task, something that people with OCD or any attention deficiency can improve their skills on. It also helps patients recovering from certain illnesses and there is alot of educational video games out there as well, and one which trains surgeons in keyhole surgery. One surgeon noticed that student who have played video games have steadier hands and are more dexterous at keyhole surgery.

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

Definitely!! Surgeons have been heralding the unique ability video-games have for hand-eye coordination and dexterity for well over twenty years!

[itsjustc.livejournal.com]

That's one of the programmes I have on my list to watch on Monday - that is if the BBC have kept it on iplayer for longer than a week!

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

I can see how they can take the frustration out of daily life.