Another layer to game fear was added this week, with the charge that computer gaming lead to the economic crisis. See, it starts with child reading and education:
What if the recent wave of recklessness amoung bankers was due, in part, to the fact that the younger generation has been brought up in two dimensions – subjected to prolonged time in front of a screen, immersed in the world of computer games.
Then the argument addresses brain effects:
first, reckless behaviour is related to a mindset where the prefrontal cortex under-functions, and a premium consequently shifts to the excitement and thrill of the here and now. Second, our brains are shaped b the environment. Third, if the screen culture creates a world dominated by sensation and process rather than by content, significance and narrative, it may well be that those playing computer games have brains that adjust appropriately.
The speaker is Lady Greenfield, who worried about social networking services a few months ago,
What a powerful move, knitting together two powerful complexes of fears, gaming and the economic crisis. This can be used in all sorts of ways, from pushing for more game regulation to taking the heat off of other economic actors.
(thanks to Steven B.!)
Hearsay and conjecture are KINDS of evidence! This is how the "consensus" was built for global warming; empiricism be damned.
I'd like to actually read the article, however! Is it available online?
Posted by: peter naegele | May 18, 2009 at 09:58
It's Wired UK, but I can't find the thing.
Posted by: Bryan Alexander | May 18, 2009 at 10:27
There is quite a bit more about Lady Greenfield's manic campaign here, with links: http://bit.ly/11Ov3y
Posted by: Owen Kelly | May 23, 2009 at 02:23
Just now finding this. I'm agog.
How does Lady Greenfield account for all the evils and miseries and faulty judgment that predated video games? Does she have any other "science" to share?
I can't understand how she can continue to draw an audience with this junk science.
Posted by: Gardner | May 25, 2009 at 19:05
Not all games have bad effects on the gamers. The life and attitude of the gamer only depends on his choices. Speaking of games, I submitted an entry for a contest that can win me 500,000 gold just by simply giving a name to the twitter pig! You can try your luck as well, just visit: http://www.wowgoldpigpen.com/twittercontestform/
Posted by: Amaru | June 01, 2009 at 07:08