Game Politics ([info]gamepolitics) wrote,
@ 2006-05-17 05:45:00
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Entry tags:dave grossman, doom, jack thompson, john stossel, usmc

20/20's John Stossel Rips Game Critic Dave Grossman in New Book

We don't always agree with ABC journalist John Stossel of 20/20 fame.

But a section of Stossel's new book Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity addresses the oft-repeated argument that violent games produce violent kids. In particular, Stossel takes game critic Dave Grossman down a peg or three.

Stossel writes, in part:

"Self-appointed experts are sometimes so successful in propagating their arguments that the original source gets lost in the confusion..."

"Even the Surgeon General's Office told us, 'The Marines use the game Doom to desensitize recruits.' Where did they learn that? From Grossman. We called the Marines, They said (Doom) is not used to desensitize Marines, They say they used a version of the software to teach eye/hand coordination and teamwork. Period.
"

Stossel continues: "Do we, individual parents, get to decide for ourselves and our children, or will the government appoint some expert, maybe David Grossman to decide for us? After all, he's the source of the 'conventional wisdom' on the subject. Get out the shovel."

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[info]crimson_mage
2006-05-19 04:40 pm UTC (link)
I personally asked John Stossel about this when he gave a lecture at my college yesterday. Specifically, after his spiel on libertarianism and why the market and freedom are sufficient to protect consumers (i.e. that government regulation to the same end is unnecessary), I mentioned his bit on Grossman as well as the Louisiana bill and the FEPA and asked about how the idea of a "moral panic" ties into what he is writing and speaking about.

His response was that it is another instance of fear making us "wimpy" to the point where we call on government to step in when common sense and responsibility could protect us better. He said that one great approach was for eloquent young people to do their homework, deduce that people like Grossman are liars and that legislators pushing unconstitutional bills are wasteful, and call 'bullshit' on everybody. Looks like we, the readers and management, here at GP have got something right in Stossel's eyes.

While I don't agree with everything in the libertarian platform (ever checked out Swiss medicare? government can do some things right), at least we know that libertarians should be more consistently sympathetic to the cause than it seems Republicans or Democrats have been.

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