Commentary says Wii offers nothing "but a false sense of what its like to compete"

[agbulls]

From Evil Avatar:

In a post on Ars Technica, Frank Caron exposes that apparently, when parents run out of obvious things to chastise about video games, they can get quite creative. How creative, might you ask? Read on and find out:

http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2007/2/13/7029

I always say everyone is entitled to their opinion. But this just seems beyond ridiculous. A false sense of success? This lady's kids are already idiots, considering who they belong to. The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree...

[jajaja]

Hehe ye, i read it earlier, pretty crazy stuff lol. Its damn typical tho, shes blaming it on everyone else. Its her responsibility to learn her kids from fiction and realitly, but i'd say that comes very natural anyway :P If a kid think playing tennis on Wii is the exact thing as playing it in real life.. well, i have no words for that actually haha.

[agbulls]

I just can't wait until we're all like 50-60 (not that I actually WANT to be older) and everyone sees gaming as just another form of the media. Its going to happen. There are just too many parents that are afraid of games because they can't play them and don't understand them. Thats what happens when you don't grow up with something I guess and continue to shun it instead of learning about it and trying it.

This same thing COULD happen to my generation (I'm almost 27) but I really don't see a lot of technical advances being something that I would shun or not learn about. Don't we all just graviate towards this shit anyway--regardless of what it is? Bring it on!

[jajaja]

I have a feeling that her kids uses the Wii as an excuse to excercise or even go out to get some air. You can excercise with Wii Sports indeed, but you must play quite some time then and you dont get any fresh air. Maybe this is why shes so pissed hehe.

[CartCollector]

Maybe she should rail against fiction for the "false sense of reality" it provides.

[8-bitNesMan]

Where's a defective wrist strap when you need one the most? BONK! Oh sorry mom :)

[Wolfrider31]

Maybe she should rail against fiction for the "false sense of reality" it provides.

Already been done man. When I think of the video game debate I think of the 19th century controversy surrounding the new form of the "novel". And the arguments were all about bad influences, and making people lazy, and giving people "bad ideas". Sound familiar? Don't forget movies, and rock music. The fact that this type of knee-jerk anti-art hysteria is almost cyclical really says something about mainstream intellect.

[dgdgagdae]

Part of what I read there was that she doesn't think that playing the Wii is an acceptable substitute for going outside, picking up a bat and glove, and actually exercising with real kids. Yes, playing the Wii is more active than playing some other consoles, but it's hardly exercise. One of the "sports" in Wii Sports is bowling, for crying out loud. As much exercise as that is in real life, how much less is it with a Wiimote? You can't blame a mom for wanting her kids to be active, rather than obese little game playing couch potatoes.

But any points that she's the mom, and she's responsible are absolutely correct. Someone had to buy the Wii, and someone has to let it remain in the house. Hopefully she's putting her money where her mouth is, and it gets limited play time.

Of course, all this from hearing an opinionated report on what she actually said on NPR, so who knows.

[whoisKeel]

Of course, all this from hearing an opinionated report on what she actually said on NPR, so who knows.



Click the NPR link on the page (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7361034) for audio

IMO either she's off her rocker or her kids are seriously whacked. I love NPR and all, but sometimes they are way off the mark...and sometimes they just suck.