This is an article from Fox News about a 2003 shooting of
three police offices by an 18 year old teenager. His crime is being blamed in
part on by the violent video game series, “Grand Theft Auto”. The article is
about a pending lawsuit by the families of the victims. Their lawyer is looking
for compensation from the company that developed video game, both of the stores
that sold the teen the game, and Sony who is the maker of the Play Station
video game system. Their attorney, Jack Thompson claims, "What has
happened in Alabama is that four companies participated in the training of
Devin ... to kill three men."
Do you think that the “Grand Theft Auto” video game was
truly a training tool for Devin or do you think he would have committed these
shootings regardless? If you think yes, than do you think it is the
responsibility of the users parents to monitor the use of such a video game; or
the responsibility of the video game developers to tone down the game to
prevent a future incident?
Prompt 6
ReplyDeleteThe author of this article explains how people believe a young teenager named Devin Thompson used a video game, after purchasing the game from two different stores, to kill three police officers. In the article, the author mentions that Devin used Grand Theft Auto (the video game) as a "training tool" for his killings of the officers. He or she also states that Thompson bought the game while he was under the age of seventeen to play on his play station and the game is advised for users seventeen or older. However from my point of view, I believe the families of the victims are just looking to blame others for the teenager killings rather than blaming the teenage boy. Moreover, Devin should have not been able to purchase the video game since he was not seventeen at the time and whoever the cashiers were should have checked his id before letting Thompson buy the game. But than again he could have had a fake id to buy the game. Lastly, I feel that the maker of the play station game was blame simply because this game system is what Devin played the game on.
I do not think that "Grand Theft Auto" video game was truly a training tool for Devin and I think he when would have committed these shootings regardless because many people probably had bought that game and did they go on a killing spree to kill police officers and steal their patrol cars, no. I think it is the responsibility of the users' parents to monitor the use of such a video game and see if that type of game is something they would want their child or children to be exposed to. Though, it would not be such a bad idea for video game developers to tone down the game.
Shatia's comment was a good comment because she stated the claim that the author is trying to make. She also used specific evidence from the text that the author brought in to prove their claim. She also answers the questions of the person who posted this blog. I also think that she brought up an important point from the article, that the boy should not have been sold the video game if he was under 17, so the cashier should have checked his I.D. But she also points out the possibility that he could have had a fake I.D. SO she is looking at all possibilities in the argument.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing prompt 6 as well.
ReplyDeleteThe author stakes his claim rather firmly. It is clear that the author believes that Devin Thompson killed the officers because he played the video game. First of all, he states that this may be the reason behind the violence, but then offers no other possible reasons. He makes it seem as though it is only a possible explanation, but then only offers evidence for it. He explains the Devin bought the game when he was under 17, even though it is for ages 17 and older. He quotes attorney Jack Thompson, "What has happened in Alabama is that four companies participated in the training of Devin ... to kill three men." I agree with Shatia that it is not the video game's fault Devin killed the men. There are plenty of other factors that I am sure went into the act.
I do not think "Grand Theft Auto" was a training tool for Devin. It may have influenced his actions, but obviously the game is not making every person who plays it go off and kill someone. Either way, I think parents are responsible for what games their child plays. They should use their judgment as to whether their child is mature enough to handle it or not.
Kelly did a good job with her comment. While sticking to her prompt, she also brought in the similarities from Shatia's comment. Evidnece was used throughout from the article to support her opinion of the claim made. She did not seem to get off topic or over analyze the article. The facilitator's questions were also answered.
ReplyDelete1. Looks matter
ReplyDeleteFrom the website, Fox seems to try to make their audience believe they are unbiased with their news by putting under their symbol "Fair & Balanced." There are different tabs to lead the readers to certain topics. Other articles with common themes are listed on the side. A blog is at the bottom for the readers to be able to discuss with other readers. At the bottom there is also a link to contact information.
All of this seems like Fox is trying to help the readers and provide unbiased information, but like Kelly says above in this specific article the author does not talk about any other possible reason for the shooting. By only showing one view point the website seems to have made up their own decision on who's fault it was for the three officers being shot.
Do you think only stating one reason shows the website's opinion or were they just sticking to the facts of the case? Or could Fox have something to lose if they pointed out another possible reason, maybe with a company they are associated with?
I think the game could be a training tool, but by itself may not be efficient enough to blame entirely for the shooting. Although the concept of stealing the officer's gun was portrayed in the game, shooting a gun in a game is different then shooting one in real life. This event probably would have still happened even if the game was set up differently. Parents should definitely pay more attention the games their children are playing, even though they did not buy the game for Devin. It only takes a second to see what the games look like to know if they are a bad influence.