Side Quest, Episode 14: Violent Video Games Don’t Kill People (Violent People Do)

I agree. And yet...

Colin Moriarty

Thank you. I agree. They should be called out for inconsistent views and for feeding the narrative until DJT agreed with them.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for watching!

Colin Moriarty

I love that you have real, concrete solutions. I don't agree with new taxes -- introducing new taxes is dangerous, and that's a little too Big Government for me -- but I will say that you having a way through the weeds is more than 99% of people can say for themselves. And that's awesome in and of itself. My take is simple: If something innocuous is enjoyed, consumed, owned, and/or whatever by almost everyone, then it's simply not valid to point at that thing and say it's at fault. If X didn't drive all of these other people to madness, then why are we blaming it for driving Y to madness? It doesn't add up. Interestingly, I also know someone who was at Vegas, and who was a few feet from multiple people who were shot (she's close friends with my girlfriend). I'd love to tell her story one day, but until that day comes (if it ever does), I'll tell you that her takeaway, for herself and no one else, was the exact opposite of gun control.

Colin Moriarty

I'm really glad that the video sparked a productive and positive conversation between you and your loved ones. That's really awesome. Thank you for your support!

Colin Moriarty

I saw that and was reading about that, but felt the video was long enough. That said, it's definitely an interesting wrinkle.

Colin Moriarty

It's crazy in 2018 that this has to be said.

Joshua Chap

Great video. I especially loved the call outs to the industry since thats something that needed to happen.

Brogan Wassell

Another great video I will show to people so they understand what’s going on. It’s like media personalities forgot we have the internet and can do a 2 min google search to find past articles haha.

James Galos

As usual, Colin, I almost agree with you. As a lifelong gamer, and frankly, lover of violent games, I can say, speaking solely for myself, that video games (or other forms of violent media) haven’t adversely affected my general disposition, which prizes conflict resolution to an obsessive degree, or my worldview. I say this not as a validation of the broader point of the video, but rather as a credit to myself. As a well-adjusted individual, no doubt similar to the vast majority of gamers (and, by extension, gun owners), I have the ability to put this form of media, as well as movies, etc, in its appropriate context. To the extent that I glean any meaning out of these things, it’s in the context of techniques of storytelling, where violence isn’t a non sequitur, or speaking strictly of gameplay, of violence an extension or exaggeration of the risk/reward feedback loops that the art of gaming is built upon (see the latest Doom as a supreme example of this). This is how I see things, but this is not how everyone see them, most notably, the deranged. The finger-pointing graphic that served as a motif throughout your piece is apt, as is Greg’s tweet that acknowledges the round-robin flow of the blame game. Conveniently for everyone, so few datapoints are provable, which provide enough cover for all parts to weather the storm. Each of these situations themselves is fluid enough to encourage different subtopics in response to the event (i.e. not much talk about bump stocks this go round, but there’s a ton of talk about the failure of authority figures, from the FBI to local law enforcement to the security guard who never stepped into the fray). However, at this point in the cycle, my exasperation is such that instead of heaping a disproportionate amount of blame on one party, so I’d like to propose a solution that harms them all equally: Akin to the gas tax, create a 2% tax on ammo, guns, and gun parts, as well as, on violent media of all stripes (with clear delineations between what constitutes violence, e.g. Doom and CoD, yes, Ratchet and Clank, no). Additionally, allow the FCC to impose fines of $1000 on any news organization or media outlets for every mention of the shooter’s name(s) or photo in the two weeks following a given attack to deter copycats/the infamy loop. I don’t consider the cost of such taxes or fines too onerous to change behavior, so the proceeds should be ample. This money should be kept out of the general fund and should be used to do any or all of the following: mental health initiatives/institutions, mandatory weapons training for prospective gun buyers (and licensing), additional law enforcement and mental health professionals dedicated to investigating potential threats, epidemiological studies of gun violence, independent studies on the effects violent media and perhaps the potentially dangerous pathologies perpetuated in modern gun culture (if such things can even be studied.). Basically, use that money to work the problem from every conceivable angle. You are correct. In the strictest sense, guns did not kill these people, the shooter did, but there’s no argument for what gave him the means. And no, in this case, or Vegas, did video games have any effect on the disposition of the killer, but the same can’t be said for the Columbine shooters or the Norwegian shooter. Is banning either of these things bad policy? Yes. Is there an argument for complicity, however tangential, in these events? Yes. Does the media give voice and fame of the shooters through exhausting coverage? Yes. Does it encourage others? Undoubtedly. Does law enforcement fail, through neglect, legal loopholes, and simply by being overwhelmed? Yes, but they also succeed: <a href="http://time.com/5159578/student-suspect-washington-state-school-shooting-plot/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://time.com/5159578/student-suspect-washington-state-school-shooting-plot/</a> For what it’s worth, in all the finger-pointing, I don’t see Nikolas Cruz being singled out as victim of society, and I don’t conflated explanations for excuses. And I don’t see him going free anytime soon. But I do think it’s fair to ask what allows this type of person to blossom into a mass killer, and ask how we all might be a little responsible and what we, as a society, can do about it. As a close friend of several people who mercifully survived the Vegas shooting, as well as, a small group of people who were burdened with the responsibility of retuning to the site for clean-up and collection of our equipment that was left there, all of whom have been or are currently being treated for PTSD, I feel especially entitled to say this: the only thing we can’t do any longer is nothing.

Timothy Monnig

I am a 40 year old father of 2 boys that both play these games. I have been playing them since the good old Atari 2600 days, still shoot aliens in the face several times a week. I can’t stand how every time these insane school shootings happen someone goes back to the ole “games cause these boys to kill” well. Will we ever get past that scapegoat? And these folks that now want to defined these games after doing in them forever........no thank you. Are some games violent, yep. So are some movies. But I know I worry less about my kids now then my parents did when I was younger. I talk to them about the violence in these games and my wife and I watch them play and jump in when they will let us. We involve ourselves. Long story short (too late I know) thank you for this video. The kids and I watched it and had a great conversation afterwards. Thank you as always for your videos and all of your channels. I never miss a single one. You voice is important and needed. Keep them coming and I'll make sure the kiddos keep on learning.

Missed opportunity to also bring up Kentucky’s governor not only blaming violent games, but exonerating parents who don’t research or control the content their kids consume. Kotaku did a nice article on it right after the Parkland shooting. I recommend you peek down that rabbit hole and see what you can find.

Ryan Berry

It's fine to make guns "less available," but that needs to be defined, and within the parameters of 2A.

Colin Moriarty

&lt;3

Colin Moriarty

Thank you so much!

Colin Moriarty

I agree completely. Thank you for watching.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! I was!

Colin Moriarty

I certainly have no issue with legislation that makes it harder (or impossible) for people who shouldn't have guns to get them.

Colin Moriarty

God damn rockers.

Colin Moriarty

The sad and scary part is he seems to be oblivious about everything.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! Average watchtime on Side Quest is a little over 9 minutes, and has actually gone UP as the videos have gone a little down in runtime. So... the people have spoken!

Colin Moriarty

=D

Colin Moriarty

Fuckin' curtains.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! I'm doing my best. &lt;3

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! I'm so glad it resonated.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you. Trust me, it was my pleasure.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! Consistency is everything.

Colin Moriarty

Stub your toe?

Colin Moriarty

Great video but I do take issue with equating guns to video games from a regulation perspective. Guns are made with the sole purpose of causing harm (both for offense and defense) while video games are a form of media like music,movies or books. So, regulating one is a whole different issue than the other. Lower availability of guns will most definitely have a positive effect on the occurrence of violent crimes (look at the rest of the world) while restrictions on video games will just lead to a whole lot of bored nerds😛 despite whatever the old geezers say about them causing violence. Even though I have a purely Asian upbringing where gun ownership is rare, I don't have anything against responsible gun owners (keyword: responsible). Like you said, it's the individual who should be held accountable but the lethal tools they can so easily get their hands on is also a factor. Kudos to calling out the hypocrites too!👍👍

Moiz Khan

YES! Well said, bud. 😉❤️

BettyAnn Moriarty

Personal responsibility, a forgotten characteristic within modern society. It’s always someone (or something) else’s fault today. Great episode! Loved your enthusiasm!

Adam Niksch

Great video, Colin! These are conversations we must have, while thinking logically and putting aside other outside noise.

Kyle Stephenson

hooo booy this is a good one. You sound fired up and I love it

Brock Thomas Walsh

I do like the overarching theme of this video of blaming the individual. While I am a 2nd amendment supporter, at this point I am ready for some change in that arena. Banning guns is never going to happen, but it would be awesome if the government heavily enforced the laws that are already in place. The lax pursuit of the government's part on enforcing our laws has helped build a problem I have a hard time ignoring... As for the comparison with video games, I get your point, and I agree. Thing is though no ones going to go on a murderous rampage with their Ps4 as their weapon (although that would be a sight to see).

Owen

Reminds me when they used to blame heavy metal.

John Bury

Terrific video. Even though we'll have a brief scare on the subject, all I see is an old out of touch man being oblivious on a subject. Granted he's the president but he'll move on when he can't get anything done there.

Peter Campbell

Absolutely agree, people kill people, not some magical thing out there. Videos are too short man, always enjoyed your take on stuff from way back at IGN.

Anthony Schemel

Great video Colin. God damn curtains 🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂.

Cameron Paterson

These god damn curtains! muahahahahahahaha 5 months pregnant!

Joey Finelli

Great video! I loved your point about hypocrisy and sticking to your own opinions. Keep up the awesome content, Colin!

Will Hahn

Thanks for making this; probably the most important and powerful content you’ve made to date... sharing the hell out of this!

Christopher Hopkins

I must say I appreciate you calling out Polygon on their crap! Great video as usual, Colin!

Marius Skarsem Pedersen

Great job calling out hypocrisy in application of principles, while staying civil and fair. Here’s hoping those who were criticized see it that way too; but whether they do or do not, we appreciate the honest take 👍

Marc Boggio

Oooh weee.

Michael Ferrari