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[Dunki]

Being consciously aware of fiction doesn't negate all possible consequences. Our brain is a very malleable structure and constantly adapts to external stimuli (that's what makes us smart and able to learn things, actually), even and especially at an unconscious level. It's especially true for children, whose brain is in a growing phase, but it works for adults too.
Now it doesn't mean that violent images can turn anybody into a psycho, but one shouldn't dismiss it with a simple "I know it's fiction so it's fine".

The thing is that there is no scientific evidence that video games do this. In fact we have tons of studies actually showing the opposite. Games like GTA even lowering the crime rates at release etc. It can be a rigger like everything else but it is never the cause of it.

 

[Kamina]

Instead, we should hand him a real gun?

That CNN article was probably funded by the NRA from the looks of it.

 

[Frenzy-kun]

In the rest of the world we play videogames and no mass shooting happens.
In fact, in other countries where guns are widely spread no mass shooting happens.

 

[iconmaster]

Okay, I actually read the article. And I'm somewhat sympathetic. But I don't think it'd make any difference.

The first time I picked up a shotgun I was hitting moving clay pigeons with decent* accuracy. That was with no virtual reality "training"; I don't even play shooters much. Guns just... aren't that hard to use at any decently close range.

I can't discount that a potential mass shooter could use a realistic VR simulation to improve his accuracy by some degree. I think it'd be a pretty small degree, though. That time would be far "better" spent on a real shooting range, with real guns. As was pointed out, anyone can visit those.

* Less than 50% accuracy probably. But I definitely hit some of them.

 

[camelCase]

Dog bites man. News outlets have proven they will throw whatever and whoever under the bus to make a headline.

 

[Arkage]

One news outlet having an editorialist give their opinion is not the end of the world. The President spouting the same bullshit and supporting anti-gaming advocates might be.

 

[God Enel]

CNN: "If a possible mass shooter wants to hone his craft, don't hand him a virtual boot camp"

But handing a gun is okay? Such a weird angleto look at the problem.

 

[Chairman Tickles]

Oh tech/gaming media. Too late to engage in hypocrisy now.

And from the official whitehouse youtube channel:



To those who do not play games beyond the occasional match three adware on phone, this is going to look suitably scary.

I think the US regime is gonna crack down on violent video games. And after years of antics by the media which kept attacking gamers and gaming, it is too late to raise awareness on the truth about gaming to the majority of peple that don't play mainstream games. The hole has been dug. Now we lie in it while governments throw dirt on us.

 

[Valdega]

The writer was never my problem. My point still stands that CNN is a dirty rag.

Then I return to my original point, video games, virtual reality or not, is not the root cause of the problem. It is the availability of weaponry.

The ease of access needs to be addressed. Articles like this one are nice intellectual exercises.

The availability of weaponry isn't the root cause either. The root cause are mentally unstable people who feel like mass murder is the only solution to their problems.

 

[CRAIG667]

"If a possible mass shooter wants to hone his craft, don't hand him a virtual boot camp"

How about don't let him legally obtain a real life weapon!

 

[Gray Rentable]

Man, you have got to figure out this red herring thing.

Im aware. Just making sure our younger members know that CNN is trash

 

[Alter_Fridge]

I mean who doesn't remember the Fatality Murders after Mortal Kombat came out? Kids were out there tossing spears at each other yelling COME HERE. Hell one kid, got part of his face removed and replaced by a cybernetic eye to be like Kano. Sadly, it was successfully argued he was just trying to be half-Terminator, and games weren't banned.

But on a more serious note, the article isn't about all videogames. It's about potential ultra-realistic VR games in the future and it's written by an expert on virtual reality. I feel like a lot of takes here, saw a 360 controller and jumped to conclusions. Guy even says that these games will not make people violent, but he fears they could be used by people who are already violent.

Fatality Murders haha ded

 

[Blood Borne]

Of course they'll attack video games because it's such an easy target. They wouldn't go after Hollywood. Hollywood promotes more violence than video games and has more influence.

 

[F0rneus]

Fatality Murders haha ded

Video games WILL be banned, alongside rock music and Dungeons and Dragons. Can't stop it! Violence will end!

 

[WaterAstro]

If US bans video games, good thing I live up north.

 

[ar0s]

Regarding ultra futuristic VR I would point you all to this thought provoking article that deals with VR and the Fermi Paradox: https://futurism.media/all-advanced-aliens-are-in-happiness-boxes

 

[Northeastmonk]

Regarding ultra futuristic VR I would point you all to this thought provoking article that deals with VR and the Fermi Paradox: https://futurism.media/all-advanced-aliens-are-in-happiness-boxes

I wouldn't mind a happiness box. Sounds a lot like Ready Player One.

I wonder how many of these critics are from people who just don't like works of fiction.

 

[mckmas8808]

Fake news are forgeries that are spread on purpose, often for propaganda or "for the lulz".
An article being wrong doesn't make it fake news, that's the kind of stuff people like Trump are pushing by labeling any dissenting opinion "fake news" but that's completely dishonest.
And an opinion is just an opinion, not exactly things stated as facts. The author doesn't say "VR is a known cause for mass shootings and must be regulated", but "maybe it's not a good idea to have realistic shooting in VR, and devs could do this and that instead".

It's SOOOO clear to me that literally every word you type here is 100% perfect. And I hate that most in America and even on this forum don't seem to understand the difference between fake news and a bad opinion.

 

[ScrapBrain]

Oh man, I've been playing training with games all my life, I'm now I'm definitely ready to

1. Stealth infiltrate a maximum security government facility
2. Become a military general and give tactical orders on a battlefield
3. Slay monsters and craft weapons and armor from their remains
4. Become a slick and stealthy hitman
5. Raid well hidden and difficult to locate Tombs
6. Rob trains on horseback
7. Use a whip effectively in one-on-one combat
8. Sail a wooden boat across a vast ocean
9. Shoot guns attached to my feet with incredible accuracy
10. hack any device connected to the internet
11. Dance like a professional at any time, to any music
12. Play multiple instruments
13. Fight in multiple martial arts styles effectively
14. Steal and/or Race cars, regardless of type or speed
15. Be a goat
16. Many, many others

Let's also not forget that a 'virtual boot camp' is a ridiculous concept, when there are actual firing ranges and combat courses that are available pretty much anywhere in the states. I don't see them talking about limiting access to shooting ranges because they don't want killers to have better aim with, y'know, the actual firearms they would use to murder people with, but okay...

 

[Electric-Wizard]

CNN: "If a possible mass shooter wants to hone his craft, don't hand him a virtual boot camp"

You could say that. Of course video games are not the cause. Bullying, exclusion, troubled home situations, fear & distrust and gun culture are. Else, pretty much all of us would be destined to go on a rampage.

How about making war games realistic for a strategy?



Wait, maybe then the US military will have trouble finding recruits...

Ps. Trump the other day was looking at options for building his wall with Mexico. Sounded like he was shopping for furniture (has to look nice, good price-quality, etc.). Would be funny if it weren't so sad and disgusting. Maybe he can visit his fellow despot Kim-Jung Un to have a look at his wall? Wait, he was already planning a visit, wasn't he?

 

[Roni]

Man, it seems the entire world has gone back some good 30 years starting from 2016 onwards.

 

[phil_t98]

at no point does the article point out that being able to buy guns is why people kill people

 

[Metzhara]

"If a possible shooter wants to hone his craft, do not hand him a virtual shooting range."
I couldn't agree more.

I say that's not good enough.
Let us card people and do sanity checks on vehicles, cookware, alcohol consumption, casino entrances, the ability to have fantasies, and just being kids.
Seems legitimate to me.

Horrid attempt at satire aside, yes it's true you wouldn't want to hand over anything that could lead to the death of others by someone struggling with their own sanity, let us consider that this should not be at the cost of other freedoms and should address the observation of those who perhaps have mental illness. Instead we should see this as "How do we identify those struggling with mental illness while not keeping entertainment from the hands of the public." I know it's obvious, but it seems it just gets lost in the rhetoric on both sides at times. The answer requires us to discuss the actual problem, not the results of those problems.

 

[GametimeUK]

If videogames were an effective method of weapons training then why aren't the military using it? Why are people out on the pitch doing football (soccer) training when they could just be training by playing on fifa? My niece cooked a steak in VR, is she now qualified to work in Gordon Ramsays kitchen?

#Logic

 

[Alx]

If videogames were an effective method of weapons training then why aren't the military using it?

They are :
https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-military/combat-simulation.html
Although it's not for shooting accuracy but for learning strategy and co-operation

The aim is to teach a group of recruits about the importance of working together as a unit; obeying orders and following instructions to the letter. They are given targets to shoot which they do so with mock weapons or ‘VR guns’ which look and behave as a real weapon would.​

​

Why are people out on the pitch doing football (soccer) training when they could just be training by playing on fifa?

Some professional sport teams use VR for training too.
https://www.vrfocus.com/2017/04/thi...for-training-in-basketball-and-vr-at-the-gym/

The system used by the Wizards, Capitals and Mystics originated at the Virtual Human Interaction lab at Stanford University and is called STRIVR. STRIVR is now in use by seven NFL teams, three NBA teams, one major league baseball team and the US Ski Team. The various teams are all seeking to enhance their performance using VR technology.​

 

[mitchman]

Only someone that has never been in a combat situation would make a report like that. CNN falling down to Fox News levels?

 

[theclaw135]

I like to turn the debate on video game violence around. It looks and feels so blatantly fake, to the point of being a concern in itself.
How many of these people would still have committed their crimes, if they had any concept of the horrors human cadavers experienced to get that way?

 

[Spukc]

I am surprised no one made a video about stealing a bus in gta 5 and then driving to the boulevard and trying to hit as many people as possible

 

[Boodler81]

CNN...lol. Am I the only one who goes to YouTube to find some reasonable discussions about stuff like this anymore? Why not just make every game have cute little puppies running around and all you have to do is gather them...wait, that would actually be great....