Lee

In the aftermath of the horrific Virginia University shooting that happened this month, the news media have started pointing the finger once again to video games as the inspiration for the carnage. For example, take a look at this article by the West Seattle Herald.

The baffling aspect of the supposed connection between video games and the shootings is that no one with primary sources has come forward and claimed that Cho Seung-hui even liked gaming, let alone played to the extent that would "brainwash" him.

What is everyone's opinion on the video game connection and media's willingness to site games for tragic current events such as this one?

Personally, I find it utterly unfounded and a grave yet purposeful misunderstanding of the reasons and the events that took place, along with being absolutely exploitative in efforts to engage in sensationalistic broadcasting and political agenda pushing.

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RoxyMoron

It could be possible that games gave him some idea of how to do the killing, but the industry is not responsible for him making the purchase or the decision to do what he did. We could blame ANYTHING, in that case...

Lee

That is true: it could have been possible that video games gave him ideas as to how to do the killings, but, as far as anyone knows, has there been any evidence that he even played video games?

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FourBear

I don't think any evidence like that has showed up at all.

Also, couldn't sport hunting be construed as something that encourages shootings? Why is the media always so quick to shift blame to video games?

RoxyMoron

Exactly...
Or maybe he had an experience as a kid hanging out with a family member or friend who went hunting or played some kind of game that simulated combat or training, etc.
Or perhaps he just had problems he developed all on his own???

mamab

I would say, if there is blame to be placed, that Hollywood and their overemphasis of violence is just as much to blame as any game Cho might have played. Violence, in general, is shown on a regular basis and it desensitizes people to the fact that it's wrong to kill others. I mean, if it's gloried on film, why would anyone think it's wrong?

RoxyMoron

I don't know if I'd blame Hollywood personally even though it is more realistic than video games. Someone had to put the idea in his head...and someone bent the rules for him...either by letting him purchase his gun, or by not keeping the campus secure, or inattentive family members or friends...whether or not they could have ever expected anything to happen but in some way, many people are directly or indirectly to blame for not doing their job.