The games are played like slots. Quarters in, noise and action
out. We call it recreation. With slots, you have a chance of
winning. But video game arcades give the player no chance to win,
only to get points. The next generation of gamblers is being
groomed. The player wins points and sometimes another round. Some
argue that it is recreation. Some gamblers argue that playing the
slots is recreation.
Editor,
The games are played like slots. Quarters in, noise and action out. We call it recreation. With slots, you have a chance of winning. But video game arcades give the player no chance to win, only to get points. The next generation of gamblers is being groomed. The player wins points and sometimes another round. Some argue that it is recreation. Some gamblers argue that playing the slots is recreation.
The most popular arcades today are called adventure games. When you take over the control you find yourself hunting, targeting and killing human beings.
A recent television special reported that some kids of the “M” generation, the media generation, are plugged in up to 40 hours per week, many from media center in their bedroom with TVs, cell phones, computers, Ipods and games. The purpose is to give the children, often teenagers, a place to do homework and socialize with “privacy” that they need at their age. When parents need to discipline kids, some are sent to their rooms for time out. Most parents tell me that because they have these rooms they have no problems with their children. But the children are playing games on the computers, more games that involve killing. They contact their friends and let them know their scores.
Television has adventure movies with more violence. Even the “lifetime” movies depict the violence in the homes today. Many are true stories.
On the weekends dad takes the kids to paintball, the war-like adrenaline-filled game is exciting recreation. The objective” hunt and “kill” a human.
I am not saying that some of this isn’t fun. Years ago, dad took the kids hunting but the No. 1 rule was “never point the gun at a human.”
Some argue with me that it is our society evolving into a technical society. I argue that a steady diet of anger and violence creates an appetite for danger and violence.
I had paintball permits. I am turning them in. I believe the exposure to violence-filled arcades, movies and paintball is contributing to the desensitization of our children and families and contributing to violent crimes against family members and others.
I urge all businesses in San Benito County and the city of Hollister to fill their arcades with more physical and mentally interactive games and less violent games. I ask the leaders of our planning commissions to take a stand. It could very well be that practice makes perfect.
Sally A. Haydon, Hollister
