Penn and Teller Take on Violent Video Game Hype

[PayNSprayBandit]

Season Seven of Penn & Teller: Bullshit! is about to begin. Episode 3 of 10 airs on July 9, 2009. It's titled "Violent Video Games". From what I've seen they interviewed Jack Thompson, among others.

I want to be sure everyone sees it, so we can discuss; but until it airs, what do you think they'll say?

Personally, I'm of the opinion that video games may draw violence out of someone who has a predisposition for it, but will not substantially affect most people.

 

[vacuumbrand]

I'm 99% sure they're going to say that violent video games causes violence is bullshit.

 

[fenrizz]

I'm 99% sure they're going to say that violent video games causes violence is bullshit.

Me too.
I wonder why?

 

[PayNSprayBandit]

I'm 99% sure they're going to say that violent video games causes violence is bullshit.

Okay sure, but their show is 30 min. They interview all sides draw lots of conclusions and make snide remarks. I meant in more detail what do you think they'll say and whom do you think they'll interview?

 

[Acaroid]

Am I the only person who thinks penn and tellers show is more BS than the things they are ranting on about? Knowing them the hypocrisy is meant to apart of its charm lol.

 

[Irridium]

If I got Showtime I would watch it...

I wonder if it will be on youtube...

 

[Jumplion]

I love Penn&Teller Bullshit! no matter how obviously biased and sometimes unproportional in their arguments they may be sometimes.

Hopefully it'll be a good episode, but we'll have to wait and see.

 

[squid5580]

Penn has already made his stance quite known about how he feels about VG violence. There is an article here on the Escapist about it somewhere.

And they are up to season 7? Damn I missed 6 entirely. Gotta find some torrents. UP UP AND AWAY

 

[Cheesebob]

WOOOOOOOO!

I love Penn and Teller, such an awesome program

 

[blood77]

That's cool, I actually thought that show was canceled after the fourth season.

 

[tijuanatim]

Penn and Tellar? Like the magicians? Please tell me they are going to make Jack Thompson disappear/ Trap him in something that: A. Rapidly fills with water, B. Catches on fire/explodes, or C. Is dropped from something very very very very very very very very very tall.

 

[jad4400]

I just saw that episode last night and they totally riped on people like Jack Thompson (they even interviewed him). They even did a test to see if kids were really being trained to use weapons in video games, so you know what they did? they took a nine-year old to a shooting range to shoot an AR-15. The kid shot ONE bullet down range and then put the gun down and said he did not want to shoot the gun anymore.

 

[Obama Osama Llama Diorama]

I'm 99% sure they're going to say that violent video games causes violence is bullshit.

That would make sense, as that's what their shows about.
At least I hope that makes sense to them....

and what about the halo kid?

 

[ProfessorLayton]

That would make sense, as that's what their shows about.
At least I hope that makes sense to them....

and what about the halo kid?

Which Halo kid are you talking about?

 

[Obama Osama Llama Diorama]

The kid who killed his mom and wounded his dad when they took halo 3 away from him

 

[tucanjamal]

I just saw that episode last night and they totally riped on people like Jack Thompson (they even interviewed him). They even did a test to see if kids were really being trained to use weapons in video games, so you know what they did? they took a nine-year old to a shooting range to shoot an AR-15. The kid shot ONE bullet down range and then put the gun down and said he did not want to shoot the gun anymore.

I felt kinda sorry for that kid.

 

[brabz]

The kid who killed his mom and wounded his dad when they took halo 3 away from him

That's a perfect example of what they should be addressing. The kid didn't kill his parents because of a violent video game(if you want to call Halo violent).

He attacked and killed them because he was severely mentally unstable, and his mind didn't process the repercussions of his actions. He could have just as easily committed the same actions over having his bike or computer privileges taken away.

Haven't had a chance to watch the episode yet, but it's on my dvr season pass. It's a quality show and though they have a very specific world view, at least they're funny and intelligent with their approach.

 

[Satoz]

The kid who killed his mom and wounded his dad when they took halo 3 away from him

That's a perfect example of what they should be addressing. The kid didn't kill his parents because of a violent video game(if you want to call Halo violent).

He attacked and killed them because he was severely mentally unstable, and his mind didn't process the repercussions of his actions. He could have just as easily committed the same actions over having his bike or computer privileges taken away.

Haven't had a chance to watch the episode yet, but it's on my dvr season pass. It's a quality show and though they have a very specific world view, at least they're funny and intelligent with their approach.

I agree, videogames dont suck you into a state of mind where you just kill your family because they take your game away. He could have been playing "kittens innocent adventure 9" and still done something like that because of his mentality. He was obsessed clearly, and its unfair to pin it on games. Ive never felt like butchering my family -_-