Video games. Good or Bad?

        Video games, the thing that dominates a good amount of today’s kid’s time, the very thing that parents fear. Video games are often viewed in a bad light for it is often believed to cause desensitization in children, as well as increased levels of violence. Not all scientists and researchers seem to have the same opinion. Games have greatly evolved from their basic, modest beginnings, from simple systems and games to advanced, in depth, worlds and graphics. Today’s games feature online multiplayer, 3D models, motion control, and much, much more. (Oxlade 7, 10, and 35)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

In a generation where we are advancing faster than ever, what will future games hold? Will we have games so detailed that it seems almost real? Or might we have a completely immersive virtual world? Today, video games are being used to train soldiers and pilots. Even simulations are being used to train firefighters (Oxlade 42). The dark side however, is that there are numerous games whose content are being called into question. With games like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto finding their way into the hands of children, the fear begins to seem warranted. Games like these often include violence, gore, themes and situations unfit for children. What might have been just an innocent game, could now be turning into something sinister. Are video games a harmless and sometimes even, a beneficial pastime? Or is it creating a generation of empathy lacking children?

            About 90% of people 8 to 16 in the US play video games (Harding). There are studies that suggest violent games lead to an increase in aggression. 90% is quite a scary number when put into that context. While the debate is rampant, and it is undeniably a controversial topic, theories and studies continue on, both for and against.

One common belief states that the predominance of violence in some games causes real life aggression. Researchers at the University of Bonn write that the brain activity patterns within heavy gamers were different than that of non-gamers (Scientific Blog). “Compared to people who abstain from first-person shooters, they show clear differences in how emotions are controlled.” Whether this causes people to repress certain emotions, or outwardly express them in an uncontrolled or even unhealthy manner; if this is true then it is a cause for concern.

MIT professor Henry Jenkins argues that video games do not cause anti social acts. Henry Jenkins acknowledges that 90% of boys and 40% of girls play but with a huge percentage such as this, an overwhelming majority do not commit anti social acts. Based on a 2001 US Surgeon General’s report, triggers for school shootings were not centered on media exposure (Jenkins). Rather, they seem to be centered on the perpetrator’s own mental stability and home life. The panic that is fueled by shootings and video game linked “violence” makes the situation all the more harmful. This leads to more hostile adult authorities and because of this, it misdirects them from the source of youth violence. This only allows the problem to grow and fester.

 It seems that if one side ends up being right, another, and a bigger, problem will be born. If games are causing increased aggression, what can we do that about it? The video game industry is very large and generates billions of dollars every year. It would be devastating for a lot of people. If video games don’t, then what causes the violence we long pinned on violent video games? Assuming it’s not video games and today’s generation of children is still growing more and more aggressive, then what is the cause and why is it happening? Is it something recurring among the people of the United States?

            Desensitization is another valid concern for parents and scientists alike. Does the violence included in some games desensitize people to the real thing? The researchers at the University of Bonn seem to think so (Scientific Blog). The researchers gathered 2 different groups of people, 1 group consisted of 21 people who play first person shooter games for 15 hours a week and a group of people who abstained from playing video games completely.  These groups of people were plugged up to brain scanners to record their brain activities. They were given video glasses and shown a variety of pictures. The pictures picked and used, were pictures that would reliably trigger emotions within the subjects. Both groups’ amygdales (a brain processor for negative emotions) were both successfully stimulated and both groups responded with strong emotions. However, the left medial front lobe (the brain structure that is used to control fear and aggression) were less stimulated than that of the group who abstained from games. The conclusion that the researchers reached was after their daily exposure of violence from games has led them to become accustomed to it.

 However, based off of their research, it is not all dark. The researchers discovered that the first person shooter players had higher activity in memory recall and in their working memory. The results might not be set in stone as the researchers have acknowledged that more research will shed more light. Henry Jenkins suggests that research done by scientists might just simply be to narrow. He suggests that there is a link within studies but there is no casual relation. In this case, studies like these would suggest only that “aggressive people like aggressive entertainment.” He also states that IF there is a consensus, it would be that video games could be a possible risk factor, along with other possible real world variables. There is no research that suggests that video games alone can cause increased aggression, though desensitization might still be possible.

            Video games have long been a controversial topic, which has been acknowledged by both sides. Further research is needed to determine if video games are a public issue.

But what can be done about it if it is? 

Works Cited

Harding, Anne, “Violent video games linked to child aggression” CNN.  11 November

2008. Web. 2 February 2012.

Jenkins, Henry, “Reality Bytes: Eight Myths about Videogames Debunked” PBS. Web. 

2 February 2012.

Oxlade, Chris. New Technology Gaming Technology. Mankato, Minnesota:

Smart Media Apple, 2012. Print. Pages: 7, 10, 35, 42

Scientific Blog “Violent Video Games Linked to Brain Changes and Decreased

Emotional Control.” Science20.com. 12 October 2011. Web. 2 February 2012.

 

Video games. Good or Bad?

How many times have you said “5 more minutes!” and “In a minute!?” Videogames are often associated with addiction and future bad tendencies. Video games are typically frowned upon by parents in fear of what it can do to their kids. Violent video games, often found in the hands of children, increase these fears (possibly a delusional response). It is the general belief is that violence will desensitize their kids and possibly lead them to mimic stunts and exhibit potentially violent behavior. In the articles below, I have researched 3 sources written each with a different mindset. See what the professionals have to say.   

http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SMO0040-0-5542&artno=0000313138&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=are%20video%20games%20good%20or%20bad%20for%20kids&title=Violent%20Video%20Games%20and%20Young%20People&res=Y&ren=N&gov=N&lnk=N&ic=N\

“Violent Video Games and Young People” written in a Harvard Mental Health Letter informs parents of how video games can affect the interaction of kids. The main idea of the article is that research has shown video games can have positive and negative effects. The article itself does not show an inclination to one side of the issue. The article describes the problem with words such as “cites and violent behavior.” The author gives an unbiased view and uses purely facts. The author organizes the article in the form of compare and contrast. The author provides readers with arguments and facts provided by both sides of the spectrum. The author does not directly address conflicting evidence as the author does not have a side. Within the article itself, the author gives arguments from both sides so indirectly; the author does address conflicting evidence.  This article is a very credible paper written by a very credible source. The article lists links that cites its sources as well as its distribution, ways to get in touch, and copyrights.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/positive-effects-of-video-games.html

“Positive effects of video games” by Manali Oak, informs video game fans of how video games have positive effects and not all bad for the reputation and stories that they are associated with. The author’s main idea is that video games teach worthwhile skills that the players can apply throughout their lives, skills such as leadership and improved hand-eye coordination. The author shows his viewpoint in the way his writing is organized. The writer puts the article in a cause and effect format. The author gives a positive effect of video games and then tells us how that skill can benefit us in life. The author doesn’t directly address conflicting evidence but using his own evidence, he indirectly combated opposite views. The author repeatedly uses words like positive to make the argument seem true and appealing. Parents will see the article as a reliable one and one that will benefit the development of their kids. This article might not be as credible as it might appear, but it might be just as credible as a college essay. This article could have been better in terms of listing possible sources.

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/17/excess-gaming-linked-to-depression-bad-grades/

“Excessive gaming linked to depression, bad grades” by Leslie Wade informs parents of how her research has shown her that video games lead to bad problems. The main idea of the article is that research has linked problems with video game addictions. The author has used research to back up her facts and gives her article merit. The author viewpoint seems to be one that is not biased to a particular side of the issue. The author does this by providing evidence backing that video games induce health problems while also acknowledging opposing viewpoints. The author acknowledges conflicting evidence in her article by saying how there is no concrete evidence that connects computers and video games to potential damage.  Connotation can be seen in the article in the use of some words. The author does not use words like crazy or obsessive when describing people who suffer from some of the possible symptoms. Instead, the author uses words like pathological, which is seen and used more as a diagnosis of health. The text structure used to organize the article is compare and contrast. The author compares kids who play video games with kids who play more excessively than others. From there, the author gives possible effects as to how playing excessively can affect your life. I would think that this article is a very credible one. This article comes from CNN which is a credible news site as well as citing sources within the article itself.

3 Cups of Tea Movie Ideas

The Authors Viewpoint: The author presents Greg Mortenson as a hero who goes into war torn nations in an attempt to turn stones into schools. The author also portrays him as a man who brings oppoturnites and hope to the under priviliged kids of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
                     
                       Cast
                                John Barrowman - Greg Mortenson
                                Anne Hathaway - Tara Bishop
                                Azad, Shefali Chowdhany - Jahan
                                Haja Aji - Ian Hart                               
                                Syeed Abaas - David Thewils

                      Sound/Music
                                Beginning - Music conveying hopelessness
                                Background music when needed ( traditional-ish )
                                Changes in volume of music depending on part
                                Helicopter Effects
                                Other sound effects ex: guns shots

                    Set and Costume
                                Place - Pakistan (bombed and rural areas) and the United States,
                                Costumes - Women in traditional clothing,
                                Men wear traditional clothing also.
                                Camera Shots - In helocopters above, Aerial shots, Facial shots
                               
                    General Director/Editor
                                Spend more time on the first school completed
                                Show all the work in the United States
                                Emphasize how Mortenson wanted to build more schools after 911.
                                Emphasis how hard everyone worked (physically)
                               
Jack, Sophia, Emily and Sarah

Lord of the Flies Book Talk

Informative Story

Rising Obesity

Obesity in the U.S. has been steadily increasing, posing many dangers and health risks. Some even life threatening. More than 300,000 people die a year from poor diet and lack of exercise alone. In just the past three decades, childhood obesity has already more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 and adolescents, aged 12-19. The obesity rate has also more than tripled for children aged 6-11. Approximately, already 9 million children aged six and up are considered obese.

One problem that is behind the climbing rate of obesity might be the lack of exercise. 31% percent of Americans are getting adequate amounts exercise which is moderate exercise for 30 minutes 5 days a week. A high 40% of Americans are not exercising at all. The last 29% get active but they are not getting active enough to get the right amount exercise they require. Only 31% percent of Americans are getting the right amount of exercise while 69% of Americans are not

There are many, many risks that can come from a lack of a good diet and a lack of exercise. If you are obese you have a higher chance of developing type 2-diabetes. Being obese also puts you at risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, triglycerides, coronary artery disease, stroke, sleep apnea, and many others.

Physical risks are not the only things threatening you. Being obese can also carry mental stress and discomfort. People who are obese are often the target of disapproval and lectures from family members and friends and they are also the target of insults from strangers. Continuous insults and disapproval like this, is only enhanced by what the average society believes and will have, in some degree, perpetuated. It is the general belief among people that someone who is obese is simply too weak or simply too undisciplined to control themselves. Negative attitudes such as these can carry over to the work world where someone’s employer can deny you a promotion or deny you a job purely because of your weight.

Hearing what others say can change your view of yourself. People might even begin to perceive themselves in a negative light. People might grow self conscious about their appearance and their weight and might think of themselves as physically unattractive. All the negativity that someone generated within them and all the negativity that they receive from others will build inside them over time. All these negative experiences can lead these people to depression, high anxiety, low self-esteem, and even suicide.

Their self consciousness can begin to affect how they interact with others. Children who are obese are 63% more likely to be bullied than children of normal weight. They might feel that people are talking behind their backs, or making jokes or insults about their weight. They might even begin to resent going outside because they don’t want to be seen in public. In some situations they might even feel discriminated against because of their weight, such as when they are applying for a job. They even feel disrespected when they are treated by their physician.

The lack of a healthy lifestyle might cause you to miss out on things you want and things you won’t be able to do. A healthy life style can give you many things you might have craved. Firstly, and the most important, you will live longer. Some people might feel bad about their appearances. Exercising and eating healthy might give someone new self-esteem and satisfaction about their complexion. All this is very beneficial and very important to your health and is decreasing your risk of developing health risking diseases. Your physical health will also improve allowing you to do things that might have been impossible before. Your entire outlook on life can change and you will not feel the same overwhelming sense of self consciousness.

If you’re a person who feels like or knows that they are not receiving an adequate amount of exercise and know that they are not eating in a healthy way, should try to readjust their life. If you can’t lead a healthy life style for yourself, then think of all the others that you care about and do it for them.

Sources:

            http://thinforlife.med.nyu.edu/surgical-weight-loss/obesity/psychological-effects-obesity

            http://www.aolnews.com/2010/03/17/cdc-americans-lack-exercise-sleep-and-weight-control

            http://targetlaw.com/student-bullying-statistics-and-effects