Journalism Can make a Difference For Games!

An article that got my interest was about how gaming needs some more journalism. The writer of this article Aaron Conklin said that Entertainment weekly has always been sketch about gaming.  They would write about it one day and completely leave it out the next.  Conklin describes how he is kind of disturbed by this because he feels that Entertainment Weekly doesn’t have that much expertise in the area where gaming should be talked about.  Conklin said that the writer of this one particular story, that he was writing about games in a way that he would be avoiding them because he doesn’t want to get outplayed by his sons or daughters. Conklin is saying how its ridiculous or someone to write a paper, even though he respects this certain writer, about comparisons between two games or two types of gaming systems if they have never played the game in the first place.  He feels that writers that write about something should be interested and wanting to tell the readers that they should get a certain game because its awesome.  Conklin said that, not hating on the Entertainment Weekly journalist, that it’s possible for writers to write about games and not having their readers feel lost or dumb because they don’t understand. Also that it is better having some credibility and not telling your readers that you kind of know what you are talking about.  Conklin really feels that if we have expertise writing about gaming, then the gaming industry would have a better understanding in the world of games.

 Aaron Conklin

This writer seemed a little mad about what the Entertainment Weekly had to say about games. The main thing that set him off was that the writer said that he kind of knows what he is talking about. If I were to read an article and it said that this person sort of knows what he’s talking about, I would put the article down. Conklin and myself both have the belief in having good credibility and having some practice in what they were talking about, such as playing games to review how good they are.  I’m not such a big fan of games, but when I hear that there is a good one how, I want to go check it out. So it is very important for writers to really tell their audience that this certain type of game is really fun so I would feel more confident buying it or at least excited to play it with a friend. 

 

In today’s world, a writer must really give it his all to speak to the audience and tell them how they personally feel about something.  It lets us know and have more knowledge on what we’re reading about so we’re not half as clueless as if a writer were giving no effort on something he only half cares about.  Also, giving it some thought, I noticed that whenever I hear about video games…the article is always criticizing them. They talk about how violent they are and that it’s not good for your children.  I have also heard that on the Wii, there are issues concerning how dangerous it can be, even though it’s a great game to get involved with because it’s allowing you to be active and really get involved while having fun.  Overall, I feel that journalists should put a little more effort on giving us information on games and not criticizing them as much.

Article on how journalists need to be better writers on gaming

News story stating that a man has been murdering people based on the video game "Grand Theft Auto"

Television and Violence

The issue about television and violence caught my eye right away.   Back in the day, crime wasn't seen as big as a problem.  But today, more and more violence occurs.  Who are we to blame? Could it possibly be the media's fault or the game makers that include violence?  The media impact during the 1960's showed a very significant level of interest.  I believe that this caused people who were crazy to want attention so they went off killing people or doing horrible things.  As his went on, people began to see violence as an everyday thing so they didn't think too much of it.  I believe that having that belief, you are bound to become violent without thinking it is a bad thing.  Also, same thing with video games.  Children and adults play them all of the time.  The violent ones are extremely popular in today’s society.  The bad thing with that is once again the players are playing so much that they begin to become more and more use to the violence.  This is called desensitization.  In chapter 2 is says that’s desensitization is a process by which viewers of media violence develop callousness or emotional neutrality in the face of a real-life act of violence.  I have never witnessed any type of real violent act, but if I were, I would be more scared that ever and not know what to do in the situation.  In my perspective, I couldn't see myself having desensitization.  Sure, I watch a lot of violent movies and have played violent video games, but I know that they are fake and not real.

In chapter 2, it also said that the commission found that only a tiny percentage of the population had any real experience with violence as a victim, assailant, or observer.  I agree with this because I don't believe that I have ever met somebody that has been in a violent incident.  Out of all of the places where I have lived in, even Jackson, Mississippi, I couldn't ever find myself running into a situation where violent crimes are being committed. 

I believe that television over exaggerates the likeliness of being in a violent situation.  Also television usually matches the killers with complete strangers but in reality, the killers tend to go for family members, friends, or acquaintances.  I can see how television can cause people to thing that everything that happens can be real and might even relate to a true story, but the thing is that not everything on TV has happened or at least it wouldn't happen as much as you think it would.  If people were to get the idea in their head that none of it is true and it's just for entertainment, then there might be less crime in our country.

  I honestly can't see why someone would act in a violent way and kill or hurt someone.  Do they even think about the consequences?  It could possibly have to do with the certain type of people who watch violent television and/or it could have to do with the type of people who grew up in an environment that was abusive or if they were in a dysfunctional family.  Or maybe it can be because of whom the crazy person hung out with.  If the crazy persons friend was crazy, then that could have a big impact on why the crazy person is like that.

Here's a link that I thought was helpful on understanding television violence so check it out!

Information on Television Violence!!

Serbia Media ft. Sasa

I interviewed Sasa Vasiljevic who is from Serbia.  He is currently a senior and is on the men’s volleyball team.  He also is the JV assistant for the woman’s Gold volleyball team. Sasa had many things to say about the media in Serbia.  When he was young, he learned about the American culture by watching children shows such as cartoons.  For example, he would watch shows like Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Turtles.  He also said that Serbia gets MTV.  I was curious on what types of movies he watched that were exported from America.  He said that the most popular types were action and drama.  Comedy movies weren’t that popular so he never really watched them.  He explained to me that he wasn’t that big of a reader so he barely ever had his hands on an American novel.  He also told me that he didn’t see much of them either.  I asked him about the free press in Serbia and he said that it was very limited.  It isn’t government controlled so when stuff happens, people don’t hear it through the media.  They hear it through word of mouth.  I also asked Sasa if the media there was like ours in the way that it runs 24/7.  He said that it isn’t on all of the time and that it usually stops around 8pm.  Sasa said that the TV stations there are privately owned but the government controls them.  In Chapter 1, it says, “the government determines the information, entertainment, and persuasion that will be present through the media.” 

Now to MUSIC! Since other countries have different tastes in music and the way they dance, I wanted to know what type of music he listened too.  He said that he likes rap but the majority of people there prefer dance pop, techno, and Serbia national music.  Something else he said really caught my attention.  He said that many of the celebrities are singers.  He also said that it wasn’t based on talent but more on how attractive the artists were.  I feel that in our nation, we have many talented singers who are also very attractive.  Also in our nation, people who aren’t that talented can’t really get that far.

I brought up the idea of cultural imperialism and if it affects his country in any way.  He said that many people enjoy American movies but can sometimes take offense.  In Chapter 1, it says “ one study of teens from 12 countries found that many of the teens considered Americans materialistic, sexually immoral, and often criminal people who seek to dominate other cultures.” I asked Sasa if he agreed with this statement and he said that it is true but never really thought of it in a bad way.

One of the major radio stations that he remembers is called Radio BIS Plus and it was located in Kragujevac, Serbia.  It played all of the hits.

One of the major news broadcast media is called B92. 

Also----Check out this website!! 

Types of Media in Serbia!

Millenial Generation

Is this me? Yes, because I always want to do things my way and not really have someone tell me what to do.  I feel if I work hard enough, I’ll be able to accomplish anything that I want. Basically, when I want something, I get it.  Working hard had always been a task for me, because my parents had high expectations.  Many days I just wanted to stop and just be lazy, but knowing that I didn’t accomplish something really bothered me.  I also feel that I have put so much time and energy into volleyball.  If I didn’t have volleyball, I wouldn’t have the motivation that I do now, especially in school.

 

I agree and disagree with what 60 minutes had to say about our generation. It is much more resourceful and moves at a fast pace.  The technology that we have is amazing and I feel that our generation knows how to use it the best. When we go to work, I feel that we just “roll into work” and not really care how our appearance is.  That’s mainly due to less rules and I feel that the older people think that we work better in that type of environment. I also agree with what Jeffery from Wall Street Journal had to say about parents being less strict.  The example that he gave was saying that back in the day a piano teacher and parents expected you to practice everyday.  But now it has changed to where the parents are just saying to the children to have fun and practice when you can.  Since parents are less demanding on their children’s goals, it can be kind of bad because children are becoming lazier and possibly becoming more obese. I also agree with what Jeffery said about when a student needs to talk to the teacher, the student brings his mother or has his/her mother talk on the phone with the teacher because the student can’t really be brave or is too scared to talk.  I can relate to this situation because my mom would do everything thing for me until the end of my senior year.  It was kind of hard for me because I felt awkward talking to older people and planning things out, but after doing it for a while it because very easy and less awkward.

One of the things that I disagree with is that when 60 minutes said that growing up didn’t prepare us for the work force.  In my opinion based on my life, I was very prepared for college and the work force.  Having a job made you realize how much time and effort you have to dedicate in order to get what you want, for example money. I have also had many life experiences that have shaped me into the person that I am and have learned from my mistakes.

 

The advice that I would give to older generations to communicate with me better would just to be less strict because believe it or not, us millenials will get things done without being yelled at.