What Came First, the Violence or the Videogame?

An anonymous reader writes "Another wave of video-game-violence panic is upon us. The pressed suits who read the pop news on television are wagging their so-called neutral fingers at an industry they have never understood. Planet Xbox 360 considers the many games they have played and the real-life murderers they have known in their own lives, and how little the talking heads know about either."

Re:ummmm

[neonprimetime]

Arrrrr! Sorry maties, but the answers was A)

Re:wtf?

[99BottlesOfBeerInMyF]

I'm relatively sure the crusades came before pac-man. . . So my guess is the violence, just a hunch though.

Yeah, they intentionally phrased the question so as to mislead you. The crusades were started by people influenced by the graphically violent board game chess, which has since become a video game. It is games in general that are the root of all violent behavior, not just video games.

Oh man,

[voice_of_all_reason]

What was the name of that video game Hitler used to play?

Oblig Simpsons:

[Volante3192]

Meyers: I did a little research and I discovered a startling thing... There was violence in the past, long before cartoons were invented.
Kent: I see. Fascinating.
Meyers: Yeah, and know something, Karl? The Crusades, for instance. Tremendous violence, many people killed, the darned thing went on for thirty years.
Kent: And this was before cartoons were invented?
Meyers: That's right, Kent.

Re:Oh man,

[Asshat Canada]

Extreme PaintBrawl.

Re:Oh man,

[Zardus]

I think it was called Daikatana.

Re:Oh man,

[chrismcdirty]

No wonder he was so angry! That game blew!

wait wait wait hold on there back up

[mgabrys_sf]

Are you insinuating that World War II was more than just a game?

I thought it was a "genre".

Wow.

Re:wtf?

[(A)*(B)!0_-]

"the last time I held a loaded AK a little cross hairs didn't appear in my vision and I couldn't do a headshot at 100 yards just by tapping a mouse button."

Maybe you need the latest patch?

Re:BREAKING NEWS:

[jizziknight]

Arrr, I otta cut ye open by the gullet fer tryin' t' pass yersef off as sumone yer not, matey, but I drunk too much grog, and can't swing me sword straight. Still, I'll have none o' that on me ship. Walk the plank ye scurvy cur, or I'll let me first mate have 'is way wit ya, and believe me, mate, ye don't want none o' that! He's a mite queer, that one!

Chess ruined me

[Hoi Polloi]

After playing a marathon chess session I found myself unable to control the urge to kill people "en passant".

Re:Which came first?

[hackwrench]

"On September 13th, a 25-year-old man walked into Dawson College in Montreal and went on a shooting spree that took at least one life"

"Back in 1989 another 25-year-old, Marc Lepine, killed 14 people in a similar incident at another Montreal college."

"Charles Whitman killed 16 people and wounded 31 at the University of Texas in 1966"

Since videogames are cheaper than a college education, they are more prevalent. Therefore there seems to be more of a link between college education and violence. Ban all colleges!

And the resemblance of Columbine High School to a college is even more proof. Quick! Someone do a study! Think of the children!

Re:Chess ruined me

[Richard Steiner]

"It's the game's fault. I'm just a pawn..."

Nice targeted advertising

[Senobyzal]

I found it entertaining that the ad on the right side of the Slashdot page for this story was for Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.

It's probably just a bot, but maybe somebody at /. has a sense of humor...

Re:Which came first?

[MynockGuano]

Greetings! Stay awhile, and listen!