Letter to the Editor

I would totally agree in regards to the fact that many people are getting riled up over the game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Anytime a so-called “ultra-violent” videogame comes out, there are always some people who deem it their duty to express their concerns. It just seems as if society needs to blame something for its messed up functions. Ignoring the isolation of families, the breakup of the nuclear family, and a plethora of societal issues, the media and so called “experts” are quick to avoid responsibility and are even quicker to point out the culprits of society. Societal dysfunction is all about the music people listen to and the shows that they watch that turn them into crazed killers that shoot up their schools and murder their parents, they claim.

I believe there is enough evidence to suggest quite the contrary. First of all, take a look at history. For example, instead of getting their entertainment from movies and videogames, people used to get their jollies from burning people at the stake and public executions. In fact, it was often a family event. Mom, dad, Sally and little Timmy would all sit out and eat their packed sandwiches and watch executions. And then there is the case of the Roman gladiatorial events, the epitome of societal violence. My point is this: society used to be a lot more violent. As far as the videogame industry goes, everything is about making money. Violence, like sex, sells.

I completely agree that people need to stop trying to speak for society and accept the fact that a game is a game. Besides, blasting zombies with shotguns and killing Nazis with a Thompson can be kind of fun.

Sincerely,
Tyler McDanel