I got an interesting email the other day. I been pondering this...
> And I'm not sure about the philosophy of the game after the
> Virginia Tech shooting. I could picture that guy being one of
> the asshole team killers that run around. My wife and kids
> have raised an issue of the appropriateness of a game that
> simulates killing. So, at least for this moment, I'm going to try
> to go cold turkey and quit the game.
As far as playing the game relative to the VT shootings- this has always been a concern with any form of simulation game. I remember years ago my parents being concerned that I would get involved with satanic rituals because I was playing Dungeons and Dragons, or that I would be a gun-crazy killer because the neighborhood kids and I shot each other with BB guns playing army. People have always been hurting each other, and just because some unstable idiot shot up a school doesn't change anything. Crazy people are drawn to the games, but the game doesn't create crazy people.
What HAS caused me to stop and think, was this:
> the appropriateness of a game that simulates killing
That is the deeper question, and one I'm not too sure about. Glorifying killing is wrong. Is that what we are doing? I've been enjoying the social aspect of the game, getting to know players from all over the world. Playing this game is my main source of social interactions (sad to say). War is wrong, killing is wrong, yet every night I pretend I'm there, slugging it out.
One thing I do know is that this game has taught me a lesson. It really stuck home when I was watching the news reports on the VT killings. If you are confronted by someone who intends to hurt you (especially with a gun) is that you can rush the guy and PROBABLY get hurt, or you can try to hide in a corner and you WILL die - the easiest OPFOR to take down are the ones who freeze. This was illustrated by the kid who realized that if he didn't do something that he and all his friends WOULD DIE or he could act and barricade the door. He acted, and he survived. I've been splattered enough times that if if something happened in real life, I don't think I'd have to debate what to do. Besides, we all die eventually and I'd rather take a bullet in the face than in the back.
Glorifying killing is wrong but hopefully we be able able to take something positive out of our time "in-country".
So, to our comrade who has moved on to other games - it was good to fight along side of you, and you will be missed. I wish you well, and I'm sure your family will appreciate having you back, too. Take care, my friend.
OK - on to the pics:
Clearing behind the bus with a nade.
RUN, FOREST! RUN!
KABOOM! OPFOR goes sailing out of the BRDM.
Doesn't she know better than to hang out around here?
I flanked, and Reaze cleaned up with a well-placed 203. Good thing we don't have to clean up the mess.
The MARSOCs taught Boo a new trick.
~Boo
*****************
update:
as I was working hard in lab today I came across this:
http://www.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/12360/MSNBC_Calls_Out_Thompson.html
timely, so I wanted to add it to the post here...
~Boo
> And I'm not sure about the philosophy of the game after the
> Virginia Tech shooting. I could picture that guy being one of
> the asshole team killers that run around. My wife and kids
> have raised an issue of the appropriateness of a game that
> simulates killing. So, at least for this moment, I'm going to try
> to go cold turkey and quit the game.
As far as playing the game relative to the VT shootings- this has always been a concern with any form of simulation game. I remember years ago my parents being concerned that I would get involved with satanic rituals because I was playing Dungeons and Dragons, or that I would be a gun-crazy killer because the neighborhood kids and I shot each other with BB guns playing army. People have always been hurting each other, and just because some unstable idiot shot up a school doesn't change anything. Crazy people are drawn to the games, but the game doesn't create crazy people.
What HAS caused me to stop and think, was this:
> the appropriateness of a game that simulates killing
That is the deeper question, and one I'm not too sure about. Glorifying killing is wrong. Is that what we are doing? I've been enjoying the social aspect of the game, getting to know players from all over the world. Playing this game is my main source of social interactions (sad to say). War is wrong, killing is wrong, yet every night I pretend I'm there, slugging it out.
One thing I do know is that this game has taught me a lesson. It really stuck home when I was watching the news reports on the VT killings. If you are confronted by someone who intends to hurt you (especially with a gun) is that you can rush the guy and PROBABLY get hurt, or you can try to hide in a corner and you WILL die - the easiest OPFOR to take down are the ones who freeze. This was illustrated by the kid who realized that if he didn't do something that he and all his friends WOULD DIE or he could act and barricade the door. He acted, and he survived. I've been splattered enough times that if if something happened in real life, I don't think I'd have to debate what to do. Besides, we all die eventually and I'd rather take a bullet in the face than in the back.
Glorifying killing is wrong but hopefully we be able able to take something positive out of our time "in-country".
So, to our comrade who has moved on to other games - it was good to fight along side of you, and you will be missed. I wish you well, and I'm sure your family will appreciate having you back, too. Take care, my friend.
OK - on to the pics:
Clearing behind the bus with a nade.
RUN, FOREST! RUN!
KABOOM! OPFOR goes sailing out of the BRDM.
Doesn't she know better than to hang out around here?
I flanked, and Reaze cleaned up with a well-placed 203. Good thing we don't have to clean up the mess.
The MARSOCs taught Boo a new trick. ~Boo
*****************
update:
as I was working hard in lab today I came across this:
http://www.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/12360/MSNBC_Calls_Out_Thompson.html
timely, so I wanted to add it to the post here...
~Boo
posted by Boo at 05:56
1 Comments:
well said sir well said.hope tobe back in action asap.kimo
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