Do Video Games Kill Analysis

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It seems that as a society we tend to create “folk devils” to cover up the reason why things are actually happening. In “Do Video Games Kill?” by Karen Sternheimer, Sternheimer argues that blaming youth violence on violent video games is simply inaccurate and unfair. Additionally, in “Dream Machines” by Will Wright, Wright argues that video games are in fact beneficial for children and teens. Video games do not make children and teens into violent people, video games are beneficial to children and teens because video games allow gamers to express themselves, forces them to problem solve and think of the outcome of their actions, and lastly helps to expand their horizons and creativity.
In “Do Video Games Kill?” Sternheimer explains how politicians have made violent video games folk devils that allows parents and politicians alike someone to blame when a middle-class white male chooses to go on a killing rampage somewhere whether it be at a school, a theater, or a mall. (Par.6) Then continues with, “Video games, those who play them, and those who create them have become contemporary folk devils because they seem to pose
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Wright continues on with “Society however only notices the negatives. Most people on the far side of the generational divide – elders – look at games and see a list of ills (they're violent, addictive, childish, worthless). Some of these labels may be deserved. But the positive aspects of gaming – creativity, community, self-esteem, problem-solving – are somehow less visible to nongamers.” (Par. 4) When Wright states this he is meaning that as a whole humans tend to look at the cons of a subject more so than the pros and also how many positive things can be taught from playing video games. (Par.