Running Over Hookers

I’ve recently ran into a few stories online about increasing governmental plans to legislate video games, in part due to the recent Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas release, and it’s bothering me a bit. Now, it’s somewhat reasonable that the government would try to repress the sale of a video game that involves extremely violent missions, complete with the ability to slaughter civilians, to children who arguably might not be mature enough to handle it. But, what has the NIMF (National Institute on Media and Family) in an uproar has essentially nothing to do with the violent aspects of the game, but, rather, an unlocked “MOD” (no, I don’t know what the hell that means either), which would potentially allow children to play a sexually explicit game, apparently showing the sex scene as its happening and even allowing the gamer to control the sexual tempo! So, basically, lots of teenage boys are going to be pretending they’re having sex. Like I’m telling you something you don’t know.

Anyway, this irritates me, because, as usual, our government is trying to protect us from the wrong things. Granted, I’ve never really been convinced that playing violent video games causes acts of violence, however, I’m pretty sure it’s got a better chance of causing it than video game sex. Really, why exactly are we so horrified with letting children see “sexually explicit” scenes, or, god forbid, actual nudity, when we seem to have little problem at all with them watching the seemingly never-ending stream of violence that plays all over cable TV?

Honestly, I’m just not convinced that exposing children to sex is going to spoil their minds in any way, but, I could see how running over hookers in a fantasy world might have unintended effects. Which, again, isn’t to say that kids or anyone else who runs over hookers for fun (on the game) is a potential harm to society. Hell, I do the same thing when I play and I consider myself a pretty nonviolent guy, but, still, I suppose the concept of children running over hookers is at least a bit worrying. However, while this is something that merely makes our legislators shake their heads, the minute children have the opportunity to actually be exposed to sex, they flash into action.

So, now, we we can all rest easily knowing the terrorists of tomorrow won’t be perverts.