Do Video Games Contribute to Violence?

This a hot topic in politics and is absolutely ridiculous. In the words of Chris Rock "Whatever happened to crazy", its mind-boggling to me that any halfway, not crazy, intelligent person would play a video game and translate it to the real world. I love to play violent video games and I'm probably the most non violent guy you will ever come across.

Video games for me serve 3 purposes 1. They can test skills such as puzzle-solving, timing and intelligence 2. They can relieve stress, and 3. My downtime becomes something I look forward to.
If somebody goes and shoots a bunch of people it doesn't matter what video game they've been playing. I mean what if they were playing a game like God of War, are we saying that they will attach blades to 6 foot pieces of chain, put them on their hands and go looking for Mythical Gods and Monsters.

If somebody is a violent person then thats the way they're gonna be, I just don't believe that a non-violent person can become violent by playing a mature rated game. In my opinion play your games, love your games and enjoy every minute of it. Leave the violence to the people that have become violent for a number of reasons. Some people are just violent or crazy and its not gonna change if they start playing Viva Pinata and Super Paper Mario.

The way the world looks at gamers is that they're nothing but slackers, nerds and pot heads. I can't tell you how many dirty looks I get when somebody I just meet asked me what I like to do and I tell them I enjoy video games. I know many successful people, including myself, who love to play video games.

In fact I would make the argument that video games can actually prevent some violence. Think about it have you ever met a violent person who likes video games. It gives people something fun to do when they're bored and boredom can cause people to do some pretty idiotic things.

Another thing to factor in is the parents of these children. I know some parents can't always be there for their children for whatever reasons, but to not know that your child is building pipe bombs or reading disturbing literature is a little ridiculous. Talk to your children and learn what they're into and if its video games go out and buy one for them instead of condemning them for doing something thats not totally socially acceptable.

Video games provide virtual worlds for people to escape to and anybody who believes that that world and the real world are intertwined is just plain crazy. Life is short, the sky is blue and some people are violent and thats just the way it is. If somebody can prove that terrorists play video games then they may be on to something, but until then enjoy the new technology that lets you enter different worlds and be somebody else.