Comments on: Interview: Dr. Cheryl K. Olson co-author of Grand Theft Childhood

By: johnstevens

johnstevens — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:56:55 +0000

?»?
Yes, it is a good resource.

By: Ziv

Ziv — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:49:02 +0000

I tend to believe that the intital opinion affects the studies results.
However, no doubt that your attitude toward games, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude ..

By: Terry

Terry — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:26:20 +0000

@ Anthony - I don't know. There was the study I mentioned here which "showed" we are generally safer when violent movies are released because the people inclined to commit violent acts are watching them instead of acting out. While treatment is preferable, I do think pacification has its place.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:21:42 +0000

The thing that has been bugging me about all this over the last couple of weeks is the idea that playing violent video games is a way to alleviate violent tendencies. I hope people that would commit these kinds of violent acts would get real help.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:57:10 +0000

In a Dr. Spock society where everyone is worried about self-esteem and dresses our children like little skanks, it is nice to see that someone in the scientific/psychological community has finally started pointing the finger of blame back on those who actually cause the problems. I’ve played FPSes and other violent games since High School, and I personally agree that it is just a way to blow off steam without actually having to go to jail for it.

Today’s media likes to hype anything that will sell, and parents and lawyers want to blame video games when little Jimmy goes bonkers and shot his class mates, or blame McDonald’s when you spill coffee on you own lap.

It all comes back to being responsible for your own actions, but sadly society today teaches us that it’s not our fault when we do wrong…such a sad state of affairs.

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:38:45 +0000

@ Paul Kroon — This is a real interview. Like all my interviews, I asked questions I was interested in learning the answers to.

By: Paul Kroon

Paul Kroon — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:26:37 +0000

Is this interview even real? I have doubts it sounds like the questions were geared by the reviewer to benefit the interviewed Doctor.

The web site is nothing but a glorified ad to sell the book.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:58:15 +0000

The ‘Nature vs. Nurture’ debate (which IMO lies at the heart of this and other similar controversies) is ancient. Adding video games as a potentioal nututrer seems to do very little to change the various arguments from either side of this debate.

By: benoe

benoe — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:14:14 +0000

Interview is great.
Wheteher are these great folks (Dr Olson, GameCouch staff, you, commentreader)aware the global (I mean GLOBAL) effect of findings of the study? Despite the fact that these is maintaned by mere 1200 american kids and their parents?

Are these findings true on Middle East kids? Central European kids? What to do to make sure?

Personally I (a CE adult with a little game expertise) was not surprised, at least I have a really serious study to quote. But I cannot withstand against international oppositions.

By: Mark Collins

Mark Collins — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 03:36:14 +0000

I’ve long known this to be true. As an adult, I started playing carmageddon. Now, at the time, i was going through the worst years of my life. And yet, I could play this game, immerse in the virtual unreal violence, get my frustration out, and then deal with my life on an even keel. I had never had the patience to play a game for more than 2 or 3 hours, but that was more than enough. It really does help. I suggest it to adults. Whether it’s Diablo, World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Metal Gear 4, or whatever. Like Steven King said in an aritcle “Why we watch horror movies.” You gotta feed the gators.