Fluff, Snuff, and Muff. (On Mass Effect, Fox News, and semantics)

[i_am_undead]

Here's a great site that adults can use as a reference to the issues of M-rated games sales to minors --

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/education/ForEducators/DiscussionStarters/BanningViolentVideoGames.shtml

This site has both sides of the argument analyzed, and should help in setting clear precedence for any debate on used game sales. There is even a link to an article about the House Ban on Violent Game sales to minors.

 

[i_am_undead]

The ESRB rating system does not in itself have any inherent problems. It's how retailers treat the ratings that causes a problem.

I know for a fact that in a vast majority of game retailers - at least in the New England area - will sell M-rated games to anyone. I'm only 21, and looking at me it wouldn't be immediately obvious that I'm over 18, yet of all the times I've personally purchased M-rated games I've been carded exactly once. I've personally witnessed kids who were clearly under 18 purchasing M-rated games. Most retailers don't care who's buying, if they've got the money.

I generally believe that there shouldn't be any legal sanction to games. Heck, the American film rating system doesn't carry any legal weight [http://www.filmratings.com/questions.htm#Q6] either; the ratings are only enforced by the moral consciences of theater managers. If more game retailers had that sense of moral responsibility, we really wouldn't be in this mess (well ok, we probably still would be, but at least we'd be able to put full blame on absent-minded parents).

The American film industry is actually a self-regulated one, and police are hired to stand-in at theater ticket counters for leverage. You should take a look at this policy declaration from the National Association of Theater Owners, who are the operators of theater franchises like National Amusements and AMC.

http://www.natoonline.org/NATO_FTC_Response.pdf

Likewise, the video game industry must also be self-regulated, but the ESRB has only been in operation since 1994 - and thus their influence is still growing; this is compared to the MPAA which has been rating movies for well over 30 years. This is why state and federal governments have stepped in to help regulate the industry - because the ESRB is insufficient.

Despite all of this, I still believe that the ESRB does an excellent job of providing fair ratings for games which PARENTS of legal minors can use to make decisions. What I am saying is if the parents did a good job regulating their children in the first place, then the government would not have stepped in.

 

[VikingRhetoric]

I have a feeling that if people like this get their way, it wont be too long before we have a Happy Days version of socialism.

Regulating what you think, say, do, and feel.Making sure everyone is equal(I.E. getting functional people to drop down to the dregs level, because they're victims, and we shouldn't force them to achieve things), stupid and complacent.

And I think the saddest part of that is we are quite close to that already.

Now, onto the original point(or part of it anyway), I don't watch the news.
At all.
For this particular reason.

Modern media(I refuse to call that tripe news) is focused solely on shock, celebrity worship and keeping us stupid.Your average political pundit is nothing more than a retard* in a suit.Cnn and the like have a far left slant, and fox has a far right slant.

Of course it's not all political/attacking random group horseshit.There is nothing I love more than turning on any news network, and hearing about Anna nicole smith, or the fact that Britney spears is a terrible mother.I can't imagine why the rest of the world hates america, when this is what they have to go by.



*Sans helmet, obviously.

 

[i_am_undead]

VikingRhetoric Indeed!

"Big Brother" is watching whether it's broadcast on our sensationalist news networks or not! And as far as the slant goes - you better have a bias for whoever signs your checks! And by "you" I mean "them."

I require further iteration on the "Happy Days Socialism" - the Fonze says "Heyyy!"

I made up this kind of socialism! It's called "復興中華!!復興中華 Socialism" Yaaaay!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JST-TlOTRec&feature=related

 

[VikingRhetoric]

Happy days = watered down version of America, where everyone gets along, almost as if forced.

I figure any form of socialism that takes place in america will have to be decidedly american in nature, however, it will remove most of what makes america america.While it wont be as bad as, say, russias decent into a third world hellhole, it will still take this nation into direction that I detest vehemently.

 

[i_am_undead]

I figure any form of socialism that takes place in america will have to be decidedly american in nature, however, it will remove most of what makes america america.While it wont be as bad as, say, russias decent into a third world hellhole, it will still take this nation into direction that I detest vehemently.

That is the most generalized statement I have ever read. You lost me in the dark abyss that is "Happy Days" rhetoric. What exactly is America all about? Wait, I'll start a forum and we'll go on this journey together! It'll be fun! Make sure to go and post! I'll title it "American Socialism, What's It All About?: A Fireside forum with i_am_undead and VikingRhetoric!" I'll see you there! AwaaYYYY!