Random Off-Topic

There were several types. Lets see: For the spicest and whimpest chili was won by the same woman who entered two. Tastest was a co-worker of my dad and I forgot who was the best cowboy. Also I was never aware that you can make Thai sushi chili. Spicy yet good.

Sushi chili? Sounds weird.

Thought so to but it was really good. These guys know how to make good chili.

I've never eaten chili... am I missing out on anything with that?

Depends on how much you like spicy stew.

I love spicy things so I guess I am missing out.

People noticed the 'violent videogames = real violence" thing rearing its ugly head again?

I hate the media. Its not about news (in America anyways), its about getting stupid and/or un-informed people riled up and attracting attention for more viewers and pushing various agendas. Worst part of it is, it works. They simply refuse to air any informed argument that detracts from their position and nobody ever hears it.

Lots of people here, does the media suck less where you live or if you want real information do you have to dig up the raw data yourself?

I've got to do all my own digging. I sort of prefer it that way personally. But yeah, the media blows. There are points where it's like, "Well yeah, that actor threw a hissy fit in a diner and punched a child in the face. No matter how you spin it, that isn't acceptable." I mean, that I don't think is ******** if it's just what happened. But when it is trying to slander someone based off an old quote, or use total misinformation or merely play to one groups code of ethics "We saw them associating with a church of X religion, are they converting to X religion which we consider bad?"

Don't even get me started on how incorrect that violence and video games thing is.

Forum Pirate wrote:People noticed the 'violent videogames = real violence" thing rearing its ugly head again?

I hate the media. Its not about news (in America anyways), its about getting stupid and/or un-informed people riled up and attracting attention for more viewers and pushing various agendas. Worst part of it is, it works. They simply refuse to air any informed argument that detracts from their position and nobody ever hears it.

Lots of people here, does the media suck less where you live or if you want real information do you have to dig up the raw data yourself?

The media's main form of income comes from ads, so they have to try to get the most views possible, that's just how it works. As for three videogame violence thing, humans always want reasons for things that happen(especially tragedies), Republicans rely on their backers, amongst which the NRA, the NRA just want any kind of attention deflected from guns.

While we're on the subject http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-truth-about-guns-video-games/
A very interesting read which shows video games are part of the problem, but not the way the media portrays them in.

DoughGuy wrote:While we're on the subject http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-truth-about-guns-video-games/
A very interesting read which shows video games are part of the problem, but not the way the media portrays them in.

I read that article when it came out, it definitely gave me a view I did not expect, but I agree with it.

I'm aware of why it happens D, but that doesn't make it less bull ****. Its bad that millions of sheep take it as truth, they're not innocent either, but that doesn't justify whats done. When "girls at party get drunk and topless, and are kicked out" is turned into "gaming company hires naked women to eat off of" something is wrong. (yes, thats a real story)

@dough while it could be easily argued that any perceived violence can increase violence, especially with lengthy exposure to young children, it could also be argued that the extensive exposure is really down to poor parenting. There have been lots of studies, and none can effectively link media to more than a temporary (a couple hours tops) increase in aggression (not violence, aggression) in healthy individuals. I could also argue, that just imagining violent scenarios can be/is just as much a work up device as any game could ever be for the unhealthy people who commit such violence.

www.theincidentaleconomist.com/wordpress/its-not-the-video-games/

suggests quite the opposite of that article btw. With the exception of america, more video games (and vicariously more video game violence) more frequently accompanies lower violent crime rates (specifically where guns are concerned)

Did you read the article Forum? The point was its not the video games causing the violence. They are simply a symptom showing up in a culture where forms of violence are perceived as heroes and put on pedestals. Its why other countries don't have the same problem, its an American thing because of American culture. Which (from your post) means that article simply supports the one I posted.

Forum Pirate wrote:I'm aware of why it happens D, but that doesn't make it less bull ****. Its bad that millions of sheep take it as truth, they're not innocent either, but that doesn't justify whats done. When "girls at party get drunk and topless, and are kicked out" is turned into "gaming company hires naked women to eat off of" something is wrong. (yes, thats a real story)

I do believe that's a real story, and it is ********, but yeah, that's how media works. I'd certainly like the media to be less coloured, but if not for the financial backers we'd get NO information at all. It's why I try to get my information from multiple sources.

On the topic of the media sensationalising stories, KLM, the Dutch airline, had one airplane where there was a drop of oil from a leak(yeah, pretty bad for them to have an airplane with a leak) and the media gave us this beauty of a headline: "KLM gives passengers oil shower".

Yes I did.

Then again, its down to parenting. One cannot control everything ones child sees, but one can expose their children to forms of violence and teach them why its a last resort. Asking your child things like "How do you feel about that guy killing? How do you think the dead persons family feels? How would you feel if that was me being killed?" is a somewhat harsh, but very effective way of putting things in perspective, especially for children.

I was raised like that myself, and I've watched many children over the years voluntary stop doing things like hitting, or even wanting to play some of the violent games with the more sensitive children, because they understand the impact violence has.

@densetsushun there are less biased or sensational ways of getting information than bigger media outlets. I'd prefer the public be completely in the dark than seeing the "news" after its been spun. It fuels people doing really stupid things, which can do more harm than good.

Like the mistreatment of soldiers after vietnam. Media says "they kill children!" Reality is "child has live grenade taped to chest, so they're dead either way, and shooting it saved the lives of your squad"

I don't agree with the mainstream media sources having colourful headlines, but at least they report on real things and they use sources. Any other "news outlets" generally lack any sources and are almost always slanted, albeit it towards a different slant than the mainstream. Take Russia Today, where their stories are always geared towards anti capitalist sentiments and anti mainstream media. They don't even bother to keep their bias to the headlines, they shove their videos and articles full of bias.

Because Fox keeps their bias to the headlines? CNN keeps their bias to the headlines? I call BS. They use sources alright, but they use their sources whenever possible and take things out of context to further their point if the source is neutral or opposed.

If you don't believe me, rewatch the youtube videos of the mass effect sex scene controversy from the major news networks. A more biased story I would be hard pressed to find. It was also blown way out of proportion, not just in headlines. It was refered to, in discussion, as "full blown digital pornography where the player chooses how many and which women he sleeps with."

We don't have the "lesser of 2 evils" here. Its just as decietful, just as manipulative. Its just focused in different directions. (making people rich)

I never said CNN kept their bias to their headlines, nor would I ever in my wildest dreams defend Fox, gaming will sadly always be reduced to nothing more than a waste of time in media. But in the majority of cases you can't say CNN, BBC or Reuters doesn't report on things without bias(editorials don't fall into this because they're clearly opinion pieces, people are allowed to publish their opinions).

This thread is now about calzones because reasons.

The media uses whatever to sell it's ****, because it needs to sell. The only corporation free of this is the BBC, but then again it is funded by the British government, so it will sometimes report things to their favour.

And I'm not saying non mainstream media is free from the practice of selling it's stories, every sort of news site or paper needs to sell otherwise it won't run, unless you're the BBC of course.

Hydreigon11 wrote:The media uses whatever to sell it's ****, because it needs to sell. The only corporation free of this is the BBC, but then again it is funded by the British government, so it will sometimes report things to their favour.

And I'm not saying non mainstream media is free from the practice of selling it's stories, every sort of news site or paper needs to sell otherwise it won't run, unless you're the BBC of course.

*BBC or other state financed media in countries with freedom of press.

RAAAAAAAAAAVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENS!

WHOO!

Ah, yes the game every one is talking about right? My facebook has blown up with posts about it. I decided to write four paragraphs about banana peppers, just to confuse the **** out of them.