Apparently, if you listen to what certain political leaders and conservative media outlets have to say, then I am a statistical anomaly. You see, I?ve been playing video games for nigh on my whole life now and they?ve never incited me to acts of violence. I whooped ninja butt in Turtles in Time. I explored worlds from an island in MYST. I decimated hordes of Zerg in StarCraft. I saved the planet with an enormous sword, I became a motorcycle-riding bandicoot, I looted treasure from ancient civilizations. I?ve shot aliens, Nazis, robots, and outlaws. I?ve punched, kicked, and ripped the spines out of beings from other realms. I?m also a perfectly normal and well-adjusted person, and so are the vast majority of the millions and millions of people who play games. This conversation comes up again and again as lawmakers, bad parents, and anyone not paying attention attempts to deflect issues to the easiest scapegoat. It?s always ?those darn video games, ruining our kids!? It?s also largely a US issue. Just this week we not only saw two horrific mass shootings that ended the lives of 30 people and wounded many others, but we also saw Dr. Phil take on an unruly child who was out of control with games. And of course, blame landed squarely on video games for these issues. Let?s separate these briefly, as there?s a different conversation to be had for each one.

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