[Rasorow]

hmmmmm

I have to say that I disagree with many opinions here. There is a line where something (anything game or otherwise) harms society by inducing harmful behavior. Where that line is? I dont know but I believe it exists. You have the right to do anything you wish until you cause harm to another, another group, or society at whole. That harm can be physical, spiritual, mental, or emotional.

Having obtained my undergrad in Psych and been a subject (as all undergrads in Psych are) in behavior modification studies at various points it was a real-eye openner just how much your behavior and thoughts are influenced by what is around you and presented to you. You can be influenced by books, games, movies, etc.

I do have a problem with games that are overly violent. There have been people (not always kids) that have modeled the behavior.

There is a level of danger to society. Where does it cross the line? Don't know but I assert there is a line.

The difference between SEIV, Stars!, other grand Strategic games and games that graphically have you stealling cars, killing police, driving over people for points, cutting people open, is that strategic games deal with abstraction. There is little or no emotional desensitization going on due to the abstract nature. The goals/means of those games are beyond what a person can achieve. When is the last time you took your Ravager class Dreadnaught to the nearest star system for a quick spin? When is the last time you took your car for a quick spin around the block? How many people were out walking? Worth how many points?

Do you see my point?

One Truism to remember -> Garabage in = Garabage out

What we do/experience/witness affects us and changes us, we are little bits of experiences - we can choose how much they will affect us to a degree but we can never choose for them to not affect us.

BTW I also support freedom of speech... but it already has limits - ever hear of slander? Libel? You are not permitted to have your rights restrict the rights of another.

So in closing I will respectfully disagree with many of you.

Rasorow