Paul Hackett

I’ve enjoyed playing Grand Theft Auto since the day I discovered it’s more fun than going to work. With the release of Grand Theft Auto IV there was a little bit of chatter about video games and violence. A random review I read says: “Commentators agree that the game, with its sophisticated graphics, sets a new standard for realistic violence and sex.” It then goes on to cite studies linking violent media with real life violence.

It seems to me that there are a lot of people out there that don’t want other people to have fun. GTA comes with with a “mature” rating and an explicit warning about what the game contains. While GTA is an incredibly popular franchise it certainly doesn’t appeal to everyone. A study that sets out to link video games and violence is going to prove just that. It’s no different than a study aiming to disprove the link achieving its goal.

There is no conclusive connection between video games and violence. Just as there is no clear link between movies and violence. Blaming media for problems in society is simplistic. Video game players and their developers are going to defend their efforts, just as the producers of an ultra-violent movie would stand by their work. No one knows what comes first: the violence or the depictions of violence.

Now leave us alone and let us play video games. They’re fun!

Every now and then, someone comes up with an idea that makes the time spent surfing the Internet actually worth it. The latest thing is the Simpsonize Me website. Basically, you upload a picture of yourself, make a few selections for appearance, and voilà, you have a picture of yourself in Simpsons form. Here’s what I look like as a Simpson’s character.

I wonder how much it looks like me. It’s kind of like writing about yourself, you want to describe yourself the way you want people to see you. Thanks to Helena for brining this cool, new toy to my attention. Here’s one more of me with one of my kitties.

I have been tagged by William Speruzzi at This Savage Art to cough up eight unknown facts or habits about myself. So here goes:

The Rules

1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Eight Facts About Me

1. I read fewer than eight blogs so finding people to play along means seeking out new blogs.
2. I fart way too much.
3. I’m fluent in Chinese and sometimes dream in that language.
4. I drink 4 bottles of Gatorade everyday.
5. I like to take two naps everyday.
6. I forgot how to cook.
7. I don’t know nearly as much about things as most people assume.
8. I have a stalker so I always lie online about where I live.

Now the hard part: finding eight willing participants. Here goes anything:

David Hodge
Helena Bouchez
Ray DeRousse
Swifty
Adam
Dan Denley
Gishdog
Darrin Koltow