On the Subject of "Muslim Massacre"

[hooplala]

I won't believe that the media affects the behavior of non-mentally ill citizens until I see some very strong evidence for it.  I'm sort of outlandish like that.

My concern is that you seem to be setting the bar too high.  Your proposed cases are basically schizoid breaks; the effects of environment are much more subtle and gradual than that.

My concern is that you set the bar too low; I don't think people are as stupid as you believe.

[P3nT4gR4m]

I won't believe that the media affects the behavior of non-mentally ill citizens until I see some very strong evidence for it.  I'm sort of outlandish like that.

My concern is that you seem to be setting the bar too high.  Your proposed cases are basically schizoid breaks; the effects of environment are much more subtle and gradual than that.

My concern is that you set the bar too low; I don't think people are as stupid as you believe.

[hooplala]

I won't believe that the media affects the behavior of non-mentally ill citizens until I see some very strong evidence for it.  I'm sort of outlandish like that.

My concern is that you seem to be setting the bar too high.  Your proposed cases are basically schizoid breaks; the effects of environment are much more subtle and gradual than that.

My concern is that you set the bar too low; I don't think people are as stupid as you believe.

I don't need a citation for an opinion.

[P3nT4gR4m]

If you go around having far fetched opinions like that you're going to be asked for them regardless

[hooplala]

The evidence around me day to day is enough for me to know that most people are not stupid.  It's just the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.

[Cait M. R.]

The evidence around me day to day is enough for me to know that most people are not stupid.  It's just the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.

[Triple Zero]

Wow. well for starters, let me say that anyone who even considers an upper limit to human stupidity will be proven wrong by the sheer ingenuity of idiocy so quickly they ought to be held responsible for creating the mere opportunity for the Force of Nature known as The Dumb to demonstrate itself.

Having said that, I can relate to the OP.

I remember seeing some people play GTA:San Andreas, and was impressed by the realism as the player pulled/punched someone out of their car and realized "hey that actually isnt very nice".

Not that I think it should be prohibited or something, but yeah, it did affect me in some way.

Just to pull a hypothetical example. What if videogame gfx become so utterly realistic, it's indistinguishable from a snuff? Would that be bad? It would certainly make me sick, personally. And depending on the context, perhaps indeed a bit wary about the person enjoying that sort of thing.

[hooplala]

What if videogame gfx become so utterly realistic, it's indistinguishable from a snuff? Would that be bad?

No.

It would certainly make me sick, personally. And depending on the context, perhaps indeed a bit wary about the person enjoying that sort of thing.

Fair enough, that's your right.

I can't imagine why someone would want to play the first person shooters based on the Columbine shootings, but do I think they should be banned?  Certainly not.

I find a lot of things distasteful... I had a hard time getting through Cannibal Holocaust, but some people love it... I'm not wary of someone who enjoys it, though.  Not unless their behaviour has several other indicators that something is off.

And, for the record, I didn't state that stupidity doesn't exist, just that I don't think the vast majority of the planet is stupid, as some other people obviously do.

[Cait M. R.]

I think you're misinterpreting what we're saying, Hoopla.

The games are fine. The people who play them are fine, mostly. It's just that when I see someone catch the giggles from setting someone on fire, I feel disgust. It doesn't matter whether or not they are bad people or will be bad people, they tripped the "oh god what the hell" switch in my brain.

I'm sure Trip feels similarly.

[hooplala]

No, I understood your point, I just don't share it.  When I see someone catch the giggles from setting someone on fire I see something different I suppose.  At any rate, I've probably said all I can on the matter, so carry on.

[Triple Zero]

I don't think the vast majority of the planet is stupid, as some other people obviously do.

be careful, every time you say that, a Democracy is born.

[Arafelis]

Regardless of the other factors in play: I don't necessarily equate suggestibility with stupidity.  Some of the smartest people I know are Christian ministers.

[Kai]

Regardless of the other factors in play: I don't necessarily equate suggestibility with stupidity.  Some of the smartest people I know are Christian ministers.

So, christian ministers are by default suggestible?

[Arafelis]

Regardless of the other factors in play: I don't necessarily equate suggestibility with stupidity.  Some of the smartest people I know are Christian ministers.

So, christian ministers are by default suggestible?

Christians are.  As are Muslims, Buddhists, Ba'ha'i, Scientologists, Shinto, and Wiccans.

[Kai]

Regardless of the other factors in play: I don't necessarily equate suggestibility with stupidity.  Some of the smartest people I know are Christian ministers.

So, christian ministers are by default suggestible?

Christians are.  As are Muslims, Buddhists, Ba'ha'i, Scientologists, Shinto, and Wiccans.

Sorry, I don't buy it.