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Thursday, 21 July 2005
Put the parents in time-out!
Thursday, 21 July 2005 10:01The ESRB caved. It caved to government pressure, parents, and retailers like Wal-Mart.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas will now receive the first ever adults-only rating (AO), a rating that has long been established by the ESRB, but never used. Why the change? Because using a computer program, one can access graphic sex scenes embedded in the game--scenes that normally aren't seen in regular play.
The article: Parents not doing their job.
I'm not surprised that the game got the ratings change, considering its content.
This is what happens when Mom or Dad buys little 8-year old Johnny a game that contains nudity, graphic sexual content, drug use, explicit violence and ignore the big fat "M" rating on the box. The clerk (if they're responsible) tries to tell the parents that this game is NOT for kids. The parent buys it anyway. Then they see what the game contains...then they go back to the store and scream at the same responsible clerk and/or write to their politicians wanting stringent controls on video games.
When I worked in Wal-Mart in Falmouth, I was appalled at the number of parents who didn't even know that a rating system existed, despite the fact that the ESRB has been in place for nearly 15 years. Very few did, and for those that did, I was commended and thanked by parents for letting them know what games like GTA contain, much to the anger of little 10-year old Johnny who knew damn well what the game contained, but attempted to sugarcoat it and nearly convince his parents to get it.
I mean, while it doesn't affect me in the slightest...there's still something about being asked for ID to buy a video game that's unsettling to me. It goes back to the idea of, "I'm 19--I can buy tobacco, porn, lottery tickets, and be licensed to drive. But I can't buy alcohol, and I may be asked for ID to purchase a video game because, under the right circumstances, I can take what I've learned in video games--blowing up shit--and go to a local school to wreak havoc. Yet, I can be drafted, go to war, and die for my country." Personally, I've always felt that once you're old enough to be drafted, off to war, and unwillingly die for your country, then you should be able to have all rights, privileges, and licenses herein and herein contained. It seems only fair.
Whatever happened to a parent's responsibility? If they don't want to be responsible, they're called condoms. They're called birth control. Use them. Don't pawn off the responsibility to crazy folk like Hillary and Joe Leiberman.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas will now receive the first ever adults-only rating (AO), a rating that has long been established by the ESRB, but never used. Why the change? Because using a computer program, one can access graphic sex scenes embedded in the game--scenes that normally aren't seen in regular play.
The article: Parents not doing their job.
I'm not surprised that the game got the ratings change, considering its content.
This is what happens when Mom or Dad buys little 8-year old Johnny a game that contains nudity, graphic sexual content, drug use, explicit violence and ignore the big fat "M" rating on the box. The clerk (if they're responsible) tries to tell the parents that this game is NOT for kids. The parent buys it anyway. Then they see what the game contains...then they go back to the store and scream at the same responsible clerk and/or write to their politicians wanting stringent controls on video games.
When I worked in Wal-Mart in Falmouth, I was appalled at the number of parents who didn't even know that a rating system existed, despite the fact that the ESRB has been in place for nearly 15 years. Very few did, and for those that did, I was commended and thanked by parents for letting them know what games like GTA contain, much to the anger of little 10-year old Johnny who knew damn well what the game contained, but attempted to sugarcoat it and nearly convince his parents to get it.
I mean, while it doesn't affect me in the slightest...there's still something about being asked for ID to buy a video game that's unsettling to me. It goes back to the idea of, "I'm 19--I can buy tobacco, porn, lottery tickets, and be licensed to drive. But I can't buy alcohol, and I may be asked for ID to purchase a video game because, under the right circumstances, I can take what I've learned in video games--blowing up shit--and go to a local school to wreak havoc. Yet, I can be drafted, go to war, and die for my country." Personally, I've always felt that once you're old enough to be drafted, off to war, and unwillingly die for your country, then you should be able to have all rights, privileges, and licenses herein and herein contained. It seems only fair.
Whatever happened to a parent's responsibility? If they don't want to be responsible, they're called condoms. They're called birth control. Use them. Don't pawn off the responsibility to crazy folk like Hillary and Joe Leiberman.
Eyeballs popping and trousers falling.
Thursday, 21 July 2005 00:15The last two days off have been relaxing...I've caught up from Laurie's horrid scheduling, and all is well.
Yesterday, spent the day reading several hundred pages reading the 6th Harry Potter book, amongst some slight gaming and being online. The evening, however...April and I went to the mall to see the new Wonka movie. Now, we both had trepidations about this movie, which...sadly, were realized. More on that later. We ate at Friendly's, then I spent some money in Hot Topic on a new Resident Evil shirt--a crow pecking at a bony, sinewy, bloodied hand. Now, THAT I can actually go along with on Wal-Mart's dress code--not something you'd wanna wear to work. Also, a new wristband. I went into EB and snatched up a PS1 RPG, Wild Arms, and then we went to see Wonka.
First off, I want my 8.75 back...it wasn't worth it. Yes, it was quite funny and amusing in parts...but I wasn't too pleased with what Tim Burton hatched. I felt that Johnny Depp's portrayal fell a little flat, and I wasn't impressed at all. While it remained fairly faithful to the book (according to April, she's read it, I haven't)...just wasn't right. It's not gonna have the lasting appeal that the original Wonka had. It actually scared the shit out of the 4 year old behind me. Felt like I was in some demented fun house--Dr. Seuss gone HORRIBLY wrong.
I like my Gene Wilder much better, considering with my hair, I look like him.
Today, woke at 11, which is now quite late for me, and did some gaming, took a brief walk to Stewart's to get some stuff, and just stayed here all day in the nice AC. Finished the 6th Harry Potter book, and did something I never did for any book I've read--broke down crying for nearly 10 minutes.
Read it, you'll see why. I eagerly await book 7.
All righty...off to bed. Remember to vote for the battles in progress.
Nighty night, all.
Yesterday, spent the day reading several hundred pages reading the 6th Harry Potter book, amongst some slight gaming and being online. The evening, however...April and I went to the mall to see the new Wonka movie. Now, we both had trepidations about this movie, which...sadly, were realized. More on that later. We ate at Friendly's, then I spent some money in Hot Topic on a new Resident Evil shirt--a crow pecking at a bony, sinewy, bloodied hand. Now, THAT I can actually go along with on Wal-Mart's dress code--not something you'd wanna wear to work. Also, a new wristband. I went into EB and snatched up a PS1 RPG, Wild Arms, and then we went to see Wonka.
First off, I want my 8.75 back...it wasn't worth it. Yes, it was quite funny and amusing in parts...but I wasn't too pleased with what Tim Burton hatched. I felt that Johnny Depp's portrayal fell a little flat, and I wasn't impressed at all. While it remained fairly faithful to the book (according to April, she's read it, I haven't)...just wasn't right. It's not gonna have the lasting appeal that the original Wonka had. It actually scared the shit out of the 4 year old behind me. Felt like I was in some demented fun house--Dr. Seuss gone HORRIBLY wrong.
I like my Gene Wilder much better, considering with my hair, I look like him.
Today, woke at 11, which is now quite late for me, and did some gaming, took a brief walk to Stewart's to get some stuff, and just stayed here all day in the nice AC. Finished the 6th Harry Potter book, and did something I never did for any book I've read--broke down crying for nearly 10 minutes.
Read it, you'll see why. I eagerly await book 7.
All righty...off to bed. Remember to vote for the battles in progress.
Nighty night, all.