English Conservatives: Video Games Sort of Okay
Coe versus Johnson: confusion reigns
Boris - right and Lord Coe, even righter?
Two high profile English Conservatives, Lord Coe and London Mayor Boris Johnson can't seem to make up thier minds about the effects of video games on 'our kids'. Johnson appears even to be at loggerheads with... himself.
Both are key to the success of the 2012 London Olympics bid.
According to MCV, thelondonpaper quotes old Etonian Johnson as saying, "I want to counteract the damaging influences drug-addled celebrities and violent video games and the lure of the life in the gang by providing opportunities."
But there are two problems with criticising the youth - and especially as seeing them as knife-wielding hoodies: problem one is that the Olympic bid is predicated on attracting young folk to throwin discs and jumping in sandpits. Problem 2 is creating images of London streets as soaked in blood and echoing to the screams of "Snake? Snaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake!!!" or "Niko! Let us go to the titty bar!" might put tourists off.
Therefore you also have to play nice if you're a politician. So, it comes as little surprise that The Sporting Life states that Johnson rejects, "suggestions Britain's youngsters were a generation of video-game junkies and couch potatoes compared to other nations whose talented sportsmen and women are able to claim the top prizes."
Which brings us to Lord Coe - former runner and Conservative MP, the success of the games is key to Seb' because he is the head of the organising committee. The BBC quotes Coe as follows, "You can read lengthy and turgid articles about how young people are all losing creativity, because of the internet and PlayStations.
"But even in playing computer games which simulated sports games they were taking a step in the right direction, he said."
Both are key to the success of the 2012 London Olympics bid.
According to MCV, thelondonpaper quotes old Etonian Johnson as saying, "I want to counteract the damaging influences drug-addled celebrities and violent video games and the lure of the life in the gang by providing opportunities."
But there are two problems with criticising the youth - and especially as seeing them as knife-wielding hoodies: problem one is that the Olympic bid is predicated on attracting young folk to throwin discs and jumping in sandpits. Problem 2 is creating images of London streets as soaked in blood and echoing to the screams of "Snake? Snaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake!!!" or "Niko! Let us go to the titty bar!" might put tourists off.
Therefore you also have to play nice if you're a politician. So, it comes as little surprise that The Sporting Life states that Johnson rejects, "suggestions Britain's youngsters were a generation of video-game junkies and couch potatoes compared to other nations whose talented sportsmen and women are able to claim the top prizes."
Which brings us to Lord Coe - former runner and Conservative MP, the success of the games is key to Seb' because he is the head of the organising committee. The BBC quotes Coe as follows, "You can read lengthy and turgid articles about how young people are all losing creativity, because of the internet and PlayStations.
"But even in playing computer games which simulated sports games they were taking a step in the right direction, he said."
Comments
Joji 23 Jun 2008 12:04
1/1
Like a child in a playpen, told to play nice. Not surprised, but I rarely agree with these types, who'd just as soon u-turn on their words.
Sucks to be a politician, so many friends all with their own knives.
We are still stuck in this same cycle of apathy to the young, especially those in government, who are of a totally different generation. Kids don't care about laws (well not anymore) or what these suits think, when these very suits take away more than they give to the young.
In their eyes, they want votes. The youth don't vote, because they can't til they are 18, (something that I feel should drop to 16 instead). Until young people see their needs being addressed and met with positive action, by these government fools, nothing will change.
So come on, Boris. Give free passes to all kids of a certain age, to leisure centres, playing fields, etc, the same as has been done with swimming pools lately. This is the only way they'll ever care about any olympics.
Sucks to be a politician, so many friends all with their own knives.
We are still stuck in this same cycle of apathy to the young, especially those in government, who are of a totally different generation. Kids don't care about laws (well not anymore) or what these suits think, when these very suits take away more than they give to the young.
In their eyes, they want votes. The youth don't vote, because they can't til they are 18, (something that I feel should drop to 16 instead). Until young people see their needs being addressed and met with positive action, by these government fools, nothing will change.
So come on, Boris. Give free passes to all kids of a certain age, to leisure centres, playing fields, etc, the same as has been done with swimming pools lately. This is the only way they'll ever care about any olympics.