Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Hello. The topic for today is:
Every since video games started to exist, there have always been the concern that they could change people. Entertainment has always been able to have an influence on people, and video games are the most popular form of entertainment these days.
Games have been violent ever since the 1980s. Back then, it was pixels of brutality, but with the technology of today, violence in video games can be portrayed in a shockingly realistic manner. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that games will make people who play them act violently.
I'm sure everyone has noticed it by now. The way how most killings and suicides by youngsters are related to video games. Just read the articles. "...was an avid gamer." It's usually the more violent games that get blamed, like Grand Theft Auto, but I find it ridiculous when accusations are flung at games like World of Warcraft.
I agree that some people do violent acts because they are under the influence of video games, but it is just stupid to think that every of these cases is related to video games. In fact, I think that violence in video games has just become a convenient scapegoat for the media.
I will not deny the fact that video games do make you more violent. After playing games for more than half my life, I know things that I shouldn't know. Like how to snap some one's neck. Or how it is more effective to shoot a RPG at a person's feet rather than at their body.
Still, most of us gamers know right from wrong. Violence is alright, as long as it is kept to the virtual world. Those who actually do those kinds of things in real life are just crazy. Yes, it is true that they are doing that kind of stuff because they played violent games.
But movies have always been more violent than video games. If a killer happens to be both a movie buff and a hardcore gamer, the press will most likely overlook the fact that he has watched many violent movies in his life, and just attack the fact that he plays video games.
Comics can also make people violent. Just look at the influence manga has on the cosplayers. If they can actually act out the roles of their favourite characters, right down to the way they talk and what they say, then what makes you think they won't get carried away enough to attack some one.
In fact, I've have actually watched a video of a bunch of guys crashing a cosplay event. One of the cosplayers, dressed as Sasuke from Naruto, actually threatened one of the guys with a Kunai [which is a small metal knife used by ninja]. She put the Kunai to his neck. Sure, it's a fake weapon, but I think she would do the same if she had a real one.
Even music can have an influence on people's life. Just look at me. After listening to Slipknot for a little more than half a year, I am seeing the world in a different way. If people keep on listening to lyrics about killing and death, it's only a matter of time before they start thinking that these are acceptable things.
So anyway, what I'm trying to say is, stop blaming video games for every violent incident that occurs. Anything can make a person want to kill some one else. It could be a problem at home or at the workplace. It could be stress. It could be pure hatred.
Just because pretty much everyone in the world has played at least one video game before in their entire life, doesn't mean that video games are the Evil that has been turning people into murderers.
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Sebastian asked me to do this quiz, so that's what I'm going to do. Here's what I'm supposed to do.
Write the names of 21 friends you can think off the top of your head, and then answer the questions. Say you're guessing if you don't know, but at least guess on all of them. After doing this, tag your 21 friends to do the same.
I don't know that many people with blogs, so I'll just write down the first 21 names that come to my mind.
1) Sebastian
2) Say Yin
3) Yeow Boon
4) Yan Ming [Andrew if that makes you happy]
5) Perry
6) Andrew
7) Nicholas Tan Z.C
8) Ernest
9) Ming Woon
10) Rufus
11) Osel
12) Jonathan Mok
13) Ethel
14) Angie
15) Shi Jie
16) Marcus
17) Benedict
18) Gabriel
19) Dominic
20) Kimberlyn
21) Yiling
-How did you meet 7?
(Nicholas Tan Z.C) He was my classmate from sec 3 to sec 4.
-What would you do if you and 15 had never met?
(Shi Jie) Then I would have one less great friend :D
-What would you do if 20 and 1 dated?
(Kimberlyn and Sebastian) If Kim wants it that way, then I'll fully support her decision. I think Sebastian is happy with Deanna though.
-Have you ever seen 17 cry?
(Benedict) No. I have only seen him sneeze a lot.
-Would 4 and 16 make a good couple?
(Yan Ming and Marcus) Oh yeah, awesome couple. Yan Ming is a woman after all.
-Do you want to be 13's friend forever?
(Ethel) Why not? Sure.
-Do you think 11 is attractive?
(Osel) Wow, what kind of blasphemous question is that? Osel is like, damn chio can?
-What's 5's favorite color?
(Perry) Sorry, I don't know this one. Blue? Perry, what is it?
When was the last time you talked to 9?
(Ming Woon) It's been a while since I've spoken with him. I think the last time was on msn about a month ago.
-What language does 8 speak?
(Ernest) English and Chinese in real life, Ownage online. lol.
-Who is 13 going out with?
(Ethel) Some one whose name starts with G and ends with lenn :P
-What grade is 16 in?
(Marcus) Poly first year.
-Would you ever date 17?
(Benedict) Sorry, no. Only women can have me.
-Where does 18 live?
(Gabriel) Bukit Merah area.
-What is the best thing about 4?
(Yan Ming) He is open minded and doesn't take things personally. Also he is an ex-sex god. If you want to return to that status, please prove yourself in poly.
-What would you like to tell 10 right now?
(Rufus) Erm, long time no see!! lol.
-What is the best thing about 20?
(Kimberlyn) Everything about her is equally amazing.
-Have you ever kissed 2?
(Say Yin) No. We are professionals who only kiss women.
-What's the best memory you have of 5?
(Perry) He is as game crazy as me.
-When's the next time you're going to see 4?
(Yan Ming) I don't know. I see him all the time. We could meet tomorrow, we could meet the day after, I don't know.
-How is 7 different from 6?
(Nicholas Tan Z.C and Andrew) Nicholas is in JC and Andrew is in poly? I don't know, I don't like to compare people.
-Is 2 pretty?
(Say Yin) Of course. Jay Chou, man.
-What was your first impression of 15!
(Shi Jie) Looks like a quiet person.
-How did you meet 3?
(Yeow Boon) He was my classmate for sec 1, and he was also in NCC with me.
-Is 15 your best friend?
(Shi Jie) A good friend, but not the best.
-Do you hate 12?
(Jonathan Mok) No. He's a gamer too, so what's there to hate?
-Have you seen 18 in the last month?
(Gabriel) No, the last time I saw him was when we collected the O level results.
-When was the last time you saw 16?
(Marcus) Wow, it's been a really long time. Chinese New Year in 2007 if I'm not wrong.
-Have you been to 5's house?
(Perry) No, but I wouldn't mind visiting some day.
-When's the next time you'll see 10?
(Rufus) I have no idea. Maybe during my birthday party if he is coming.
-Are you close to 11?
(Osel) Yeah, Osel is one of my closer friends. We should go eat sushi again soon!
-Have you been to the movies with 4?
(Yan Ming) Yeah, I have probably watched tens of movies with him.
-Have you gotten in trouble with 8?
(Ernest) I don't think so.
-Would you hug 19?
(Dominic) If you really need one. I charge guys $10 per hug. For ladies, hugs are on the house.
-When have you lied to 3?
(Yeow Boon) Yeah, but only because I was trying to disturb him.
-Is 11 good at socializing?
(Osel) He is fine when it comes to guys, but I think Osel is a little nervous when it comes to girls, especially if she is pretty. Don't worry, it happens to all of us.
-Do you know a secret about 8?
(Ernest) I can't think of any, so no.
-Describe the relationship between 12 and 18.
(Jonathan Mok and Gabriel) Schoolmates.
-What's the best thing about your friendship with 9?
(Ming Woon) He is a nice person to to talk to.
-What's the worst thing about 6?
(Andrew) Nothing that I can think of.
-Have you ever had a crush on 12?
(Jonathan Mok) Haha, no
-How long have you known 2?
(Say Yin) I first met Say Yin in sec 1, so 4 years.
-Have you ever been in a fight with 13?
(Ethel) No, and I don't ever want to.
-Does 11 have a bf/gf?
(Osel) Not yet, but I'm sure it's going to happen soon.
-Have you ever wanted to punch 1 in the face?
(Sebastian) No. I only like to try to punch Yan Ming where it hurts.
-Has 21 met your mother?
(Yiling) She has seen my mother, but they have never talked before.
-How did you meet 11?
(Osel) We were in the same class since sec 3, but I already knew Osel before that since he was Say Yin's CCA friend.
-Did you ever accidentally physically hurt 3?
(Yeow Boon) Maybe during basketball, I don't know.
-Do you live close to 7?
(Nicholas Tan ZC) He used to live 10 minutes away from me, but he has moved to Kovan.
-What is 8's favorite food?
(Ernest) I have no idea actually. Ernest, what is it?
-What kind of car does 1 have?
(Sebastian) No car yet, but he wants a Mazda if I'm not wrong.
-Have you traveled anywhere with 9?
(Ming Woon) Within Singapore? Yes.
-If you gave 14 $100, what would he/she spend it on?
(Angie) I dunno, clothes and stuff I guess.
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I didn't do much today. I heard that the Guitar Hero Metallica demo is finally out, so I'll probably be downloading that soon. At least Metallica songs will be challenging. I also want to download the Wanted demo. I don't think that it will be that good, but at least it will be fun curving bullets.
Man, I'm really excited for Game Developers Conference 2009, which is going to be happening in a few days time. More on that tomorrow. I went out for a while in the evening to have dinner, then I came home. I'm getting this movie called Role Models right now. I hope it's good.
Ok, I'm done for today. Thanks for reading. [KOAS KW!!] Ending off, see you tomorrow.
posted @ 11:43 PM
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