Suck it up, loser!
SPOnG has just seen the most bizarre and alarming news video, which WGN TV news broadcast in the US earlier this week. The station reports that videogames are apparently the new drugs destroying a whole generation of kid’s minds and social skills.
Videogames, a teaser segment for the news piece claimed, are the new crack cocaine. The news piece itself is, how can we describe it, sensationalist to an extreme degree. Set to footage of blank-eyed teenagers staring entranced at flickering screens, their entire zombie-a-like beings focused only upon the game which they are clearly hopelessly addicted to and powerless to resist.
Oh my, here we go again.
To try to describe it any further at this point in time is fairly hard for us, as we are all currently still laughing and/or crying so hard to think of the best way to respond to the news.
So instead, we urge you to go check out the full, sensationalist shockfest news video from WGN right here.
Watched it? Okay, now wait five minutes to calm down a bit, after which you might want to write your comments and thoughts on the piece to WGN directly – which you can do so right here.
The really sad aspect of the story is that, once you get past the sensationalist games-as-new-drugs claptrap, the piece really does have some straightforward and common sense advice to convey to viewers. However, most gamers and right-thinking people would be doubled up in tears of laughter or anger at this point, and most likely miss the fairly serious point that the piece is trying, yet spectacularly failing to make.
“Kids need to learn to play games in moderation. Just like they need to learn to eat sweets in moderation and do lots of other things which they enjoy in moderation,” said father of four and avid gamer Stuart, SPOnG’s fountain of GamerDad knowledge.
Stuart added: “Watching that news piece just made me angry and sad, as I play games with my kids all the time, and its something we get a lot of pleasure from, and it's also a very precious time when we all get to play together. Which in my opinion is something to be treasured, not mocked and misunderstood like it clearly is by this news channel!”
Videogames, a teaser segment for the news piece claimed, are the new crack cocaine. The news piece itself is, how can we describe it, sensationalist to an extreme degree. Set to footage of blank-eyed teenagers staring entranced at flickering screens, their entire zombie-a-like beings focused only upon the game which they are clearly hopelessly addicted to and powerless to resist.
Oh my, here we go again.
To try to describe it any further at this point in time is fairly hard for us, as we are all currently still laughing and/or crying so hard to think of the best way to respond to the news.
So instead, we urge you to go check out the full, sensationalist shockfest news video from WGN right here.
Watched it? Okay, now wait five minutes to calm down a bit, after which you might want to write your comments and thoughts on the piece to WGN directly – which you can do so right here.
The really sad aspect of the story is that, once you get past the sensationalist games-as-new-drugs claptrap, the piece really does have some straightforward and common sense advice to convey to viewers. However, most gamers and right-thinking people would be doubled up in tears of laughter or anger at this point, and most likely miss the fairly serious point that the piece is trying, yet spectacularly failing to make.
“Kids need to learn to play games in moderation. Just like they need to learn to eat sweets in moderation and do lots of other things which they enjoy in moderation,” said father of four and avid gamer Stuart, SPOnG’s fountain of GamerDad knowledge.
Stuart added: “Watching that news piece just made me angry and sad, as I play games with my kids all the time, and its something we get a lot of pleasure from, and it's also a very precious time when we all get to play together. Which in my opinion is something to be treasured, not mocked and misunderstood like it clearly is by this news channel!”
Comments
Hostile 24 Feb 2006 15:32
1/8
Um... if video games are the NEW crack cocaine, does that mean doing crack cocaine is OK now? Because it'd probably be a less expensive addiction than gaming, especially when the PS3 comes out.
Dreadknux 24 Feb 2006 18:24
2/8
Here's an idea. How is it that Japan, a culture that has pretty much embraced the video game industry, isn't suffering from mental delinquents then (well, any more than the norm)? In fact, today's video games from there are pretty much the highest work of art in a long time (look at Shadow of the Colossus, The Legend of Zelda or, on some levels, Katamari Damacy).
I smell a 'What the Hell'.
I smell a 'What the Hell'.
more comments below our sponsor's message
danj3ris 24 Feb 2006 22:45
3/8
This news story shows me only one thing: It was a boring night in Chicago.
Interesting to see that only one family was taped (Or at least used) for this segment. One family, where footage of blank faces was used, and some random guy who claims that "it's happening in universities!".
A poorly contructed news piece in general.
I'm an asshole on my own. I will not attibute my lack of respect for my parents on the fact that I played Mortal Kombat, Diablo, and Resident Evil when I was younger.
Interesting to see that only one family was taped (Or at least used) for this segment. One family, where footage of blank faces was used, and some random guy who claims that "it's happening in universities!".
A poorly contructed news piece in general.
I'm an asshole on my own. I will not attibute my lack of respect for my parents on the fact that I played Mortal Kombat, Diablo, and Resident Evil when I was younger.
miacid 25 Feb 2006 09:59
4/8
The one positive thing that I can just about make out from all the bull s**t that was flying around is they are encouraging parents to take responsibility. If only they had run the piece from that angle it might of actually done some good.
Ah well, better go get a fix *inserts Katamari Damacy*
Ah well, better go get a fix *inserts Katamari Damacy*
horngreen 26 Feb 2006 16:04
5/8
If you plan on posting on the WGN site please refrain from helping their cause by claiming the report "is bullshit" or calling them "stupid". Weak comments like that do more harm than good. Think before you type (if possible).
horngreen 26 Feb 2006 16:07
6/8
By the way, you know those kids in that family were duped into doing this story. I'm sure they had no idea what the final piece would convey to the viewer. I'm sure they are getting their asses beat at school come Monday. What this story tells me is that if games are like a drug and limiting their use will help then simply limiting actual drug use is ok also? So try to keep your crack usage down to just couple hours an evening, but ONLY after your homework is done!
Biggie 27 Feb 2006 02:41
7/8
Gee its shocking parents should parent... and control what their kids do... Must admit, sometimes I play BF2 instead of reading Plato... but really does that make me a Junkie... I bet Socrates would have played BF2 first too.
Earl 28 Feb 2006 17:30
8/8
I do think that MMORPG's should have it clearly stated on them about the very addictive and life consuming effect they have.
First Asherons Call
now
World of WarCrack...
:|
First Asherons Call
now
World of WarCrack...
:|