technocracy & the matrix

Video Game Censorship Goes to Supreme Court

We live in a world in which a 17-year old can sign up to possibly die in a foreign war but cannot buy a video game where his avatar would do the same thing. At least in California. Yes, that California. The state on the edge of bankruptcy has as one of its priorities the restriction of much needed commerce in the guise protecting the youth from "anti-social behavior."

Worrying about "anti-social behavior" in modern day video games is akin to having concern for your rabbi's foreskin. This is not the Pac Man days. Most of the games of concern have online components that usually exceed the popularity of the single-player campaigns. Playing with others - SOCIALLY - is how most of these games are marketed.

California censors also cite studies about the violence desensitization and aggression. These studies are as reliable as alchemy. The studies are so flawed, in fact, that they've figured into the prior actual rulings (all of which have stuck down gaming censorship). Judge Consuelo Callahan said in the 9th Circuit ruling:

"None of the research establishes or suggests a causal link between minors playing violent video games and actual psychological or neurological harm, and inferences to that effect would not be reasonable"

Ultimately, the national past time of America's soccer parents are feigning outrage over getting involved in their child's life. Their motto should be "Government, please raise my kid for me." And since all government start quelling free speech "for the children." we need to see protecting the First Amendment has a very grown-up matter. Full Story

The Daily P.P. Awards

Predictive programming - when TV tells you how it's gonna be

Sunday night's award goes to American Dad (episode "Bully for Steve") on Fox. In order to teach his son, Steve, how to stand up for himself, dad Stan becomes his bully. Father beating up son, or child abuse, is the humor here. Funny stuff? But this is only found out because of the surveillance system at Steve's school. A system in which the principal (who seems to have secret proclivities) is the only one with access. This is much like what is going on in Pennsylvania in which a school district used laptops to spy on the students at home in their bedrooms. Men in private rooms secretly watching teenagers - the new norm.



also:
*Senator calls for privacy protection from FaceBook and the other Info Pimps

*At Apple's orders, police seize Gizmodo editor's computers

*Frontline to broadcast Vaccine Wars Tuesday night

*The people vs Apple: Class action suit against iPhones, iPods liquid sensors

*Wall Street Journal now top paper in US