The False Equivalency that Games and Movies Cause Violence

by Chris McGinty of AccordingToWhim.com

The simple proof has always been that millions, if not billions, of people have read violent books, watched violent movies, and played violent video games and we’re not all dead. The reason is because there is no direct connection between one thing happening and the other thing happening. Are there individuals influenced by such things, perhaps. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence of such things happening, but the incidences are so low percentage that they’re almost nonexistent. Even the possibly borderline brainwashing done by marketing and advertising doesn’t always work.

The simple fact is that there is a direct difference between the concept of someone being nonviolent being influenced by violence and the concept of someone who is violent relating to the violence they see and mimicking it. That’s really where the debate is. Can you take someone who is gentle and caring and change their very nature by showing them fictitious violence? If you can, is it repeatable to the point that we can show a direct correlation?

I was thinking about myself the other day, at least I was thinking about my personal view of violence. I want you to understand that I’m not completely without anger. I’ve been in a few near road rage incidents in my lifetime. I’ve not been in a fight in my adult life, but I’ve not backed down from a fight in my adult life. I don’t get that mad that often. I used to. I think I had a lot of aggression in my hormone production during puberty.

The thing is that I love fictitious violence in books, movies, and video games. It’s not real. It amuses me. Meanwhile, I don’t watch UFC fights. It’s probably partially because I’m not into sports, but it’s also a level of violence that I’m not entertained by, because it’s real. It’s controlled, because it’s sport, but it is real. I’m fine with it existing, and I enjoy the fact that people enjoy it, but it’s not for me. This is entirely anecdotal, of course. This is just how I experience the concept of violence for entertainment.

Anecdotally, looking around at our culture, I’m not sure that entertainment and fictitious violence incites the same level of anger and violence as extreme political or religious beliefs do. It almost makes you wonder if the same demagogues who are trying to blame fictitious violence are just trying to divert your attention from the hate that they’re promoting. I’m not pointing specific fingers. I see it in all politics, and all walks of life. Listen to people and ask yourself, “Is this a message of peace, or a message of hatred?” If you look at it objectively, I think you’ll be surprised how much anger is being promoted by our leaders.

Chris McGinty is a blogger who isn’t currently on LinkedIn looking for a position as an axe murderer. He’s too busy trying to find time to finish playing the Grand Theft Auto games.