Dr.Phil The Next Thompson?
August 15th, 2007 by Erich Jurgens in NewsAccording to GamePolitics, Dr.Phil, yes, that Dr.Phil, is dedicating one of his
episodes to addressing the violence in video games. You may recall Dr.Phil, along with Jack Thompson, blamed violent video games for the Virginia Tech shooting.
“The problem is we are programming these people as a society. You cannot tell me - common sense tells you - that if these people are playing video games where they’re on a mass killing spree in a video game, it’s glamorized on the big screen, it’s become part of the fiber of our society. You take that and mix it with a psychopath, a sociopath, or someone suffering from mental illness, add in a dose of rage, the suggestibility is just too high. And we’re going to have to start dealing with that.”
The episode will be taped this Thursday, but we don’t know when it will air. So, if you are under the age of twelve, and your mom watches Dr.Phil, get your dose of Halo while you can. Then again, there’s no reason that this couldn’t be a simple warning to parents about M rated games, and not just a mindless rant. We’ll have to wait and see.
Tags: News
August 15th, 2007 at 11:15 am
I always knew this dude was an idiot but I didn’t know he was a complete buffoon as well. Of course this isn’t surprising … what else is there left to attack … and believe me people like him need something to attack or else they are out of business. And now that this greedy pig has wet his beak in the pool of money and fame he’ll do anything to keep his show.
August 15th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
why do people always attack the video game world? hell, u have movies with rape/murder/brutal murder/killing presidents,killing kids and etc. Wow, I kill fictional characters in a freaking game that isnt real. If u cant handle rl from a game then only u need help.
August 15th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Because there is very little that can be successfully attacked these days … this is one of the last areas where people can still get people to believe this is what is killing our children. Movies and Music won their wars … not the VG industry has to do the same … somehow.
August 15th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Weak people will always be influenced by the works of stronger people.
And have you guys noticed that it’s never the parents’ fault? Whenever a kid f**ks up, one way or another, it’s always blamed on movies, games, the society - never the parents. But when a kid succeeds, then the parents are the first to take credit.
August 15th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Why can’t we meet half way and blame the Postal movie for all our problems?
August 15th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
nah its not the parents fault. If my son.. hes only 4 months old. But, if hes out of control and hurts someone I shouldnt be the one to blame. He should be convicted for his own actions not me. Now, If I abused him and he does something like this then it’s my fault.
I feel with american laws, people know how to dodge them. Oh, I see movies.. it shows me how to kill people so I just had to try it! Or sorry, but Im use to hearing it from my songs. No, they’re sorry they were caught and just blaming it on crap to get out of trouble. If u can tell I wont be easy to roll over when my son gets into trouble in the future.
When i play games(cod,bf2,css etc) I know its a game.. I know its fake, I know its there for me to have fun. If I were to kill/hurt someone, it wouldnt be over a game. The only time I would hurt someone is for protecting myself or if someone hurt my family.
August 15th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Interesting, how old will your son have to be before you let him play M rated games?
August 15th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
riiiight so for however many gamers there are in the world who play these games in a sensible manner, one or two psychopaths are the reason to ban all violent games.
August 15th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Im not sure Erich.. I’ve been playing M rated games since I was like 4(wolf3d/Doom/Duke nukem).. not as graphic as doom3/sof2/quake 4, but still way more gore in todays games then the past. I probably wouldnt let him play mature games till 13-16. I think at the age 13-14 when u can get a job/learners to drive a car or what not would be a good mature age.
Most of the stuff I said up was just random stuff. I m just saying people always blame it on games/movies/music for them doing bad things when it’s clearly the person that does the crime to do the crime. I would never hurt people, unless they are attacking me/or my family.
I just feel the older people are jealous of our technology, seriously I do. My moms boy friend from years ago, ur games are graphics.. u play bad games. Im like dude.. u watch saving private ryan and other movies that i cant remember to list lol. I dont think games are that bad, now.. cussing on the other hand shouldnt be in games IMO, like f**k and such.. Now, I shall go play some bioshock.. yes, the real version of bioshock.. not the demo :-).. peace
August 18th, 2007 at 6:49 am
I believe that mature games are meant to play by people who are mature. I believe its the parents job to pay attention to how mature their children are. I personally would not let my children play many mature games if any before he or she is 14. but to the subject video games are not the only reason and should not be targeted. Everything has a bad influense on children like this the everyday news in New York has some graphic story almost that always damaged me more than games because its real. Movies have the same effect as games and worse movies come out than games you dont here phil complaining about that. Last, yes video games have a major effect on people but i have to say that video games and movies should both be viewed with discretion. They have ratings for a reason parent should pay attention to their children more i mean if you have to b legal to buy the game its obviously not meant for children. Before i commented about a mother blaming video games for her son becoming a murdurer now i have to say that i dont just blame video games. Its the world we live in, but i do think video games have a major part in corruption of youth.
August 18th, 2007 at 7:22 am
Most kids in America/the world watch R rated movies even at the age 10 or lower. Movies are worse than video games, I still think a video game should be meant to be played as a game. Like Bioshock, even though it was so real to life with visuals and water effects/physics engine. I still had the feeling of playing a game. The voice acting was amazing and etc. Same with doom 3.. I knew I was playing and game and had a crap load of fun!!!
The problem with most games are they’re trying to be so so realistic. Look at battlefield 2, it was meant to be a game and now they tried to make it a real to life shooter. Developer’s need to realize they cant make real to life game’s, U cant breathe the air, touch your surrounders.. etc.
Why did I say that? Well think about it guy’s… A movie is suppose to be real to life… I dont like it when a game cusses.. It kinda bother’s me, cuz kid’s play these game’s. Saying the F**K is kinda to much. When a parent buys their kid a game, it’s usually the mother that does.. Now-a-days fathers know what to look out for.. like me, so when we go buy the games I know they have ratings.
When u played doom or half life they rated it M bc of blood. Now, with the visuals.. the technology. Like fear,doom3,quake 4,sof series.. they’re to grahpic for kids under 13/15 area. That’s just me.. No, im not with dr phil or thompson. Im a huger gamer, I feel theyre trying to blame something on something they dont know the answer too. ANd he blamed it on the va shooting at the college? isnt it funny the kid didnt even have a console in his room?
September 4th, 2007 at 6:55 am
The saddest part about this whole story is that if you study psychology you learn how little “common sense” really is true in how our minds work. What you think is happening might not be.
September 19th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
[...] little over a year ago, we commented on Dr.Phil taping one of his shows which was focused on violent video games. Now, while I have to [...]