"He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool...shun him.
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is willing...teach him.
He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep...awaken him.
He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise...follow him."
- Chinese Probverb
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Bullshit!
Monday, July 13, 2009 | Permalink

I'm a big fan of the Penn & Teller Bullshit! show. They usually do a great job at exposing all kinds of bullshit for what it really is. The latest episode takes a jab at everything that video games are blamed for, despite lack of scientic evidence backing up such claims. Well worth watching.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
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G
Tuesday, July 14, 2009

links are dead
"This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by CBS."
Michael
Thursday, July 16, 2009

this really is only an issue in the Excited States of America isn't it? I've not heard any other country's politicians blaming their problems on video games.... anyone?
Humus
Thursday, July 16, 2009

Actually, I don't think the US is the worst. That would probably be Germany.
Ibasa
Friday, July 17, 2009

And Australia, they're quite big on banning games.
Rob L.
Sunday, July 19, 2009

I guess Germany is the worst. I live there (here). They're trying to criminalize the production and sale of so called "killer games." At one point, even Final Fantasy 7 was called a "killer game," because two guys going postal a few years ago reffered to each other by the names of to character from the game.

The press would often write about Counter Strike (ages 16 and up here, it's like the US T rating) and print images of games like Soldiert of Fortune 2 alongside... which is Bullshit! by definition.

There are groups here that invite parents to LAN parties to show them what exactly their children are playing - letting them experience such "evil" titles as C.S. first hand, playing against each other. I like that. It's a posive way of educating parents.

Some polititians try to bastardize the German computer and video games industry, instead of supporting it (just look at Crytek - they were refused vital funds, yet they managed to become an internationally respected developer). (Well, to be perfectly honest, at least the funding got a bit better recently - given that the products you create are "politically correct."

As a game developer, I am worried about my and my collegues freedom of speach and artistic expression.

They also started to filter the internet recently here.

I get the feeling sometimes, that there's a bunch of absolutely incompetent idiots in the Bundestag that prefers witch hunting instead of teaching the public, raising awareness in a positive way, effectively protecting minors from content meant for adults, enforcing firearm regulations and supporting promising industries. :^(

Have a nice day, anyway. :^)

Regards,

Rob
Rob L.
Sunday, July 19, 2009

That was really good to see and hear. Thanks for telling us outside the US. :^)

I've seen a few episodes a few years ago. Most of them were quite good, some where Bullshit!.
What I don't like about P&T BS! is that they use the same "devices" other populistic and sensational shows use (e.g. they just barely mention "evidence", interviewing "experts" talking about the "evidence". The difference is, they try to debunk the common Bullshit! - even thoug it looks a little desperate at times.

Btw: An episode I didn't like very much was the one about smoking.

Regards,

Rob
Michael
Monday, July 20, 2009

interesting. Do you think the Oz & German politicians use it for their own political advantage as a wedge issue... or are they just ignorant of the subject?

Here in Canada we rarely hear anyone blaming books/games etc for contributing to crime.
Some of the Religious Right tried to score some points with it years ago... but we're fairly secular/liberal society here - so tend not to be so reactionary I think....

Japan is probably the most laid back about these things of any country I have been to.
I couldn't believe some of the extreme movies & games I saw while there... Yet they have a incredibly peaceful society, so politicians there can never exploit the issue.
Rob L.
Thursday, July 23, 2009

Yeah Michael, it's definitely for political advantages - they are hunting for voices of parents scared by their own ignorance. Just listening to some of those people makes you realize the don't have the slightes idea what they are talking about, but what's even worse, is that they are so serious about this (they wouldn't ever even look at a game).

The amount of ignorance can be compared to Fox News' "Mass Effect - (Se)XBox" propaganda in the US. Only, this is against any action game / "murder simulator" / "killer game."

Regards,

Rob


PS to Humus: Se* is not allowed? Come on!
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