A Summary Critique of “Why We Need Violent Video Games”
Violent video games are addictions. But are addictions always deleterious to us? Ethan Gilsdorf, an American writer, critic, and journalist, and 17th level geek – as posted on Ethan’s website – unexpectedly states in his article “Why Do We Need Violent Video Games” that violent video games are essential, benificial to us not only because it helps people release negative emotions but also leads people to be feared of “hunt/shoot/kill scenarios” by simulating them (para. 11). Ethan tries very hard to convince us that video games have no direct effect on troubled teenagers.
Ethan introduces his article with the appalling Sandy Hook shooting and then elaborates his ideas throughout the text. The author informs us the video games became the scapegoat that responsible for the massacre after the government reinforced the regulations computer games. According to his opinion, video games are merely outlets for people to give vent to their aggression and anger. Later, Ethan conveys that there are …show more content…
There is a large possibility that Ethan is writing for people of his kind – gamers. In that case, his article could be very subjective and he intends to convince his readers through emotional appeals rather than facts. Craftily, he displaces the concept of the violent video games in order to subconsciously reduce the prejudices against electronic games. For example, he deliberately brings up non-violent games such as D&D. Similarly, he alleges that Lanza liked Dance Dance Revolutions, yet there was no proof that Lanza played non-violent games. The readers absentmindedly fall into the Ethan’s trap trough displacement – a defense mechanism shifts people’s “impulses from an unacceptable target to a more acceptable or less threatening target” (Cress 293). As a geek and gamer, Ethan can sure manage to approach that with little
Violent video games are addictions. But are addictions always deleterious to us? Ethan Gilsdorf, an American writer, critic, and journalist, and 17th level geek – as posted on Ethan’s website – unexpectedly states in his article “Why Do We Need Violent Video Games” that violent video games are essential, benificial to us not only because it helps people release negative emotions but also leads people to be feared of “hunt/shoot/kill scenarios” by simulating them (para. 11). Ethan tries very hard to convince us that video games have no direct effect on troubled teenagers.
Ethan introduces his article with the appalling Sandy Hook shooting and then elaborates his ideas throughout the text. The author informs us the video games became the scapegoat that responsible for the massacre after the government reinforced the regulations computer games. According to his opinion, video games are merely outlets for people to give vent to their aggression and anger. Later, Ethan conveys that there are …show more content…
There is a large possibility that Ethan is writing for people of his kind – gamers. In that case, his article could be very subjective and he intends to convince his readers through emotional appeals rather than facts. Craftily, he displaces the concept of the violent video games in order to subconsciously reduce the prejudices against electronic games. For example, he deliberately brings up non-violent games such as D&D. Similarly, he alleges that Lanza liked Dance Dance Revolutions, yet there was no proof that Lanza played non-violent games. The readers absentmindedly fall into the Ethan’s trap trough displacement – a defense mechanism shifts people’s “impulses from an unacceptable target to a more acceptable or less threatening target” (Cress 293). As a geek and gamer, Ethan can sure manage to approach that with little