Comment The Littleton shootings (Score 1) 898
The factors which led to the Littleton shootings are indeed complex, multi-faceted, deep-rooted and chronic. Succinctly stated, there is no one person, institution or societal factor on which to pin the blame-- it is a combination and blame only serves to undercut the process of understanding and learning.
I am a parent of two children under five years of age and every day I think about the devastation I would feel if I were to lose one or both of them. Indeed, I think the greatest trajedy that can happen to a parent is outliving a child. Where to begin with this... Let's talk about computer games for a moment.
Computer games are intense sensory experiences. Many people say they are addictive. I believe this to be true. I will tell you I am a hardcore gamer and play Quake 2 exclusively on the internet. My handle is JAZ and I'm 42 years old.
You may ask yourself why would someone of this age be playing Q2 DMs on the web? I play because I am interested in the relationship between computer hardware and software. One pushes the other in its development. Secondly, many of the things I have learned about computers via gaming are directly applicable to my work. Why do I play Q2 avidly? Because it is the most complex game (I believe) in terms of pushing hardware to its limits.
Many people like stock car racing and the rush that comes from building more powerful engines and faster cars. The same is true for me regarding computers. It is the process of learning that I enjoy--the game is just a tool.
Quite frankly, First Person Shooters (FPS) like Q2 are actually very simple. But if they are so simple why is their impact so powerful and why are they so popular? In my opinion, there are a number of reasons: These games immerse the player in a virtual environment. They actually make violence an abstraction complete with insulation and anesthesia-- you are wounded or killed but never feel anything.
The best way I can describe the experience of playing one of these games on line is that it is
like "living inside a cartoon." Third, there is the strategy and the immediate gratification of
winning the competition. And, given the way our society works today, this may be the only
outlet for some people to taste a moment of achievement or success.
I know that sounds extreme but I honestly believe that this medium may be where an addiction can begin; i.e. this reality becomes preferable because the reality experienced outside this immersion is full of failure and frustration. Also, during this time a person knows what it is like to have power and control without fear, consequence or the infliction of physical or emotional pain.
This is an intensely powerful combination which can quickly lead to an addiction. Top this off
with the anonimity of the net--you can be whoever you want to be for as long a time or as short a time as you like. You can also disappear and re-appear by taking on a different identity. The truth and profile that you present is of your choosing.
Couple this combination of factors with parents who are over-extended in terms of work, societal obligations. Couple these dynamics with a substantial amount of financial debt acquired in the pursuit of "the good life" and the result can be an isolated adolescent(s) filled with anger.
In an attempt to alleviate this isolation and anger the adolescent seeks the warmth of
acceptance and friendship. He/she will seek others out like him/herself. However, this acceptance comes, many times, with a risk and a price. Acceptance in a peer group is filled with dynamics that include competitive peer pressure.
These dynamics can result in more and more extreme statements,positions, outlooks within the group which may result in acts which are destructive and daring. "Talkin' the Talk and Walkin' the Walk." These dynamics are powerful and are tools used to establish leadership/power positions. The reality check by a group member(s) is pushed aside. Consequently, there comes a point where each individual must follow their own path of responsible behavior. I would like to know about the others in the Trenchcoat Mafia.
What anesthetized them emotionally from speaking out? Why were they so willing to accept authority and not question it?
All I can say as a parent is that my wife and I have put our family first. Every moment of every day I try to do the best job I can so that as my children grow they will have a strong sense of themselves and will never be afraid to follow their own intuition. I want them to develop their own voice and to be heard and to never be intimidated into doing something that is not right.
Bottom line: we each must look inside ourselves and take time to hear the inner voice that is
speaking to us. We as parents and adults must overcome our fears about making change and
take the chance of embracing change which will lead to a more balanced life for us and our
children. And, finally, we must use each day to teach our children and each other so that we
can use the time that we have to make a positive impact.
For all of us who have decided to become parents I believe it is important to remember what Tiger Woods' father said about his son: "He didn't ask to be here. I have to earn his respect everyday."
Thanks for reading this and you can feel free to e-mail me at: jazz@intrex.com. I welcome your comments.
I am a parent of two children under five years of age and every day I think about the devastation I would feel if I were to lose one or both of them. Indeed, I think the greatest trajedy that can happen to a parent is outliving a child. Where to begin with this... Let's talk about computer games for a moment.
Computer games are intense sensory experiences. Many people say they are addictive. I believe this to be true. I will tell you I am a hardcore gamer and play Quake 2 exclusively on the internet. My handle is JAZ and I'm 42 years old.
You may ask yourself why would someone of this age be playing Q2 DMs on the web? I play because I am interested in the relationship between computer hardware and software. One pushes the other in its development. Secondly, many of the things I have learned about computers via gaming are directly applicable to my work. Why do I play Q2 avidly? Because it is the most complex game (I believe) in terms of pushing hardware to its limits.
Many people like stock car racing and the rush that comes from building more powerful engines and faster cars. The same is true for me regarding computers. It is the process of learning that I enjoy--the game is just a tool.
Quite frankly, First Person Shooters (FPS) like Q2 are actually very simple. But if they are so simple why is their impact so powerful and why are they so popular? In my opinion, there are a number of reasons: These games immerse the player in a virtual environment. They actually make violence an abstraction complete with insulation and anesthesia-- you are wounded or killed but never feel anything.
The best way I can describe the experience of playing one of these games on line is that it is
like "living inside a cartoon." Third, there is the strategy and the immediate gratification of
winning the competition. And, given the way our society works today, this may be the only
outlet for some people to taste a moment of achievement or success.
I know that sounds extreme but I honestly believe that this medium may be where an addiction can begin; i.e. this reality becomes preferable because the reality experienced outside this immersion is full of failure and frustration. Also, during this time a person knows what it is like to have power and control without fear, consequence or the infliction of physical or emotional pain.
This is an intensely powerful combination which can quickly lead to an addiction. Top this off
with the anonimity of the net--you can be whoever you want to be for as long a time or as short a time as you like. You can also disappear and re-appear by taking on a different identity. The truth and profile that you present is of your choosing.
Couple this combination of factors with parents who are over-extended in terms of work, societal obligations. Couple these dynamics with a substantial amount of financial debt acquired in the pursuit of "the good life" and the result can be an isolated adolescent(s) filled with anger.
In an attempt to alleviate this isolation and anger the adolescent seeks the warmth of
acceptance and friendship. He/she will seek others out like him/herself. However, this acceptance comes, many times, with a risk and a price. Acceptance in a peer group is filled with dynamics that include competitive peer pressure.
These dynamics can result in more and more extreme statements,positions, outlooks within the group which may result in acts which are destructive and daring. "Talkin' the Talk and Walkin' the Walk." These dynamics are powerful and are tools used to establish leadership/power positions. The reality check by a group member(s) is pushed aside. Consequently, there comes a point where each individual must follow their own path of responsible behavior. I would like to know about the others in the Trenchcoat Mafia.
What anesthetized them emotionally from speaking out? Why were they so willing to accept authority and not question it?
All I can say as a parent is that my wife and I have put our family first. Every moment of every day I try to do the best job I can so that as my children grow they will have a strong sense of themselves and will never be afraid to follow their own intuition. I want them to develop their own voice and to be heard and to never be intimidated into doing something that is not right.
Bottom line: we each must look inside ourselves and take time to hear the inner voice that is
speaking to us. We as parents and adults must overcome our fears about making change and
take the chance of embracing change which will lead to a more balanced life for us and our
children. And, finally, we must use each day to teach our children and each other so that we
can use the time that we have to make a positive impact.
For all of us who have decided to become parents I believe it is important to remember what Tiger Woods' father said about his son: "He didn't ask to be here. I have to earn his respect everyday."
Thanks for reading this and you can feel free to e-mail me at: jazz@intrex.com. I welcome your comments.
