TECH: GTA as a Barometer

Planned to update on Monday, but was too busy. Anyway, I plan to update throughout this week, although tomorrow may be missed.Note I’m not sure about the classification of this.

Now for the kind of things you’re looking for. No more blog-info fluff. Grand theft auto(GTA) came out today, and it looks like it will be a best seller(6 million expected to be sold in the first week, according to CNN). But what does GTA’s success indicate?

While many people claim video game violence leads to real-world violence, hardly any consider it as a sign of potential violence or as a sign of society’s health in terms of violence. I think this is much more likely to be true, and so is more valuable thing to consider. I’m not disagreeing with the possibility that violence in video games(or other media) causes violence, however¹.

I personally feel that the success of violence in video games is a warning that this may be an issue. Part of this is because video games are closer to reality because even if they are less visually realistic, the player is actually doing things.

The problem increases in games like GTA because they involve totally immoral violence: this is not superman saving people and fighting along the way, you play as a gangster, without morals. The fact that this game is so popular is somewhat disturbing. Of course, GTA may simply be a fun game series, and the violence and immorality are incidental. That is why it would be a mistake to say that violence in video games is a certain sign of problems. However, it would be stupid not to consider the possibility.

¹ It seems to me that, while video games probably cause some violence, it seems more dangerous when an unusual amount is already present, because the violent thoughts and desires are then amplified by violent media. If a person has a mental disorder or psychological problems, that could lead to an outburst of violence.

Introduction

Or ‘In which the author alienates readers at the very beginning of the blog’
This is the introduction to my blog. I currently have a relatively complex plan*, because I am trying to eventually have some dependable readers. This blog will be fairly eclectic, but it will be on technology, religion, and miscellaneous topics. In keeping with the title’s scheme, all posts will be labeled TECH, GOD, or one of the other category names.

I hope that despite the fact that very few people share interest in all the topics mentioned, I will have a readership base. One way is by making these designations so that people can find topics they like and ignore the topics they don’t. I’m also hoping that I cover the topics skillfully enough that you can enjoy/tolerate them. That may be wishful thinking and/or foolish pride. We’ll see, I guess.

Under the current plans, I will post one decent-length column weekly(about 500-700 words), and several interesting links either daily or every week day**, along with some short ramblings on a topic, perhaps just the day’s current events. I hope to announce any lapses in that schedule.

I welcome comments, as long as they are not mean***. You really have no reason to be mean to me: I didn’t force you to read this, I’m not planning on insulting anybody, and I currently have not broken any laws(except for copyright, e.g. song downloading).

I do already foresee problems, so be aware of that if you’re thinking “this guy is in for a rude awakening.” I’m not completely naive. Here are some of those problems: this blog is more eclectic than most blogs, I don’t have that much experience writing, and I do not plan to put so much time in it. Of course, I hope you ignore these potential problems and either go on to read the next post, or decide to return to some other post in the archives^†.

I guess even if this blog fails in popularity, it’ll be good writing practice, which is something I need.^‡

Feel free to e-mail me( techgodmisc at gmail dot com remove spaces[sorry for those of you who like to copy and paste]) or leave comments, even if they are a short comment plus a link to your blog, or criticism.

Next Friday, a real post!

Here’s the current topic list:
TECHnology
GOD
LITerature
CMX(comics, specifically web comics)
HA-HA(humor,either about humor or actually humorous things)
MATHematics
SCIence
POLitics
MAThematics
ME (things about myself)
NEWS
Some are not 1 syllable, but I’m trying to be consistent with other sites(i.e. NEWS) and/or logical without explanation.

* Compared to other bloggers, because it often is a fifteen-minute thing. 1 minute to decide to do it, 4 for research, 5 to write the first post, and 5 to tinker with the settings and/or e-mail people about it. Note: This is my first footnote of my blog. I’ll try not to have too many.

** This is a little closer to what this guy is saying is the true meaning of a
blog.

*** Example of Mean: ‘you suck why do you think you [profane noun] can [profane adverb] blog.’
Example of constructive: ‘a good post, but you could do [area of improvement] better…’ (This one I would like to get)
Example of constructive: ‘that post was pretty bad, but it can be improved. Here’s how…’ (This would be okay to get)

^† I’m thinking ahead. Incidentally, another example of possible wishful thinking and/or foolish pride.

^‡For what do I need writing practice? To find out you’ll have to read the blog, won’t you?

Hello world!

This is a placeholder for my introductory post, coming tomorrow.