How to make the world a better place?

[Cantando]

Originally Posted by Brutha

Playing Video Games Reduces Sex Differences In Spatial Skills makes the case that a lot of the advantages that boys have at math is due to playing more video games than girl. It is a good example for the case that there is a certain real value in a game like GTA4.
Before you ban it you should at least show that the negatives (increasing aggression) outway the postives (increasing math abilities).

You may find this article of interest:

Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions

My 15 year old son is well above average in maths without the need to play video games. I'm so happy he is not a brain-dead, anti-social zombie who spends his life alone in the bedroom playing computer games, and hardly able to string two words together to form a coherent sentence.

[schola]

Originally Posted by Cantando

My 15 year old son is well above average in maths without the need to play video games. I'm so happy he is not a brain-dead, anti-social zombie who spends his life alone in the bedroom playing computer games, and hardly able to string two words together to form a coherent sentence.

So you've probably thrown the entire television out then right? Because there is no way you let him watch TV if you are that careful about video games.

[Cantando]

Originally Posted by schola

So you've probably thrown the entire television out then right? Because there is no way you let him watch TV if you are that careful about video games.

There's a hell of a difference between watching selected TV programs as a family (and before the 9:30 pm watershed if there are children present) and leaving a teenager, alone, to his own devices - playing violent games, surfing the net, or watching late-night, violent TV programs in his bedroom, without any kind of monitoring or supervision. I don't blame the children, it's lack of parental concern and responsibility.

Actually, I'm not that careful about video games in my own home, as my children have never been interested in them - probably because they never had TVs and computers in their bedrooms, and because we actually spent time with them, played family games together and encouraged them to read.

[Ak47]

I'd just like to say that i play violent video games. I also own guns. I've never started a fight, either. Okay, i started one fight when i was 15, when a kid said he'd kill my mother and rape her dead body. Admit it though, that was called for.

Know what? I play more violent video games than that kid, and he said what he did for absolutely no reason at all (believe it or not!). I personally believe that talking about raping the dead body of anothers mother is FAR worse than hitting someone in the jaw (at least more twisted or sick anyway).

Also, you should know there is clear evidence that increase in the availability of pornography REDUCES the amount of aggrrevated sexual crimes in any given society. What makes you think it'd be any different for violent games/shows?

Let me say again: I'm a big, bad digital killer. I own guns in real life, too. Does that make me a threat?

Do note that i'm here asking you for suggestions of how to make the world a better/happier place for everyone... something that many people, violent video game players or not, would never do.

Sure, video games can influence aggression, this is true. However, i strongly disagree that it alters someones sense of morality and ethic when it comes to actual killing. That's poor parenting and raising your kids with weak values more than anything, i'd guess.

[Ak47]

and thanks guys, all of you, for your participation in my thread. feel free to keep the comments coming, i'm enjoying all of them.

[Cantando]

Originally Posted by Ak47

I'd just like to say that i play violent video games. I also own guns. I've never started a fight, either. Okay, i started one fight when i was 15, when a kid said he'd kill my mother and rape her dead body. Admit it though, that was called for.

Know what? I play more violent video games than that kid, and he said what he did for absolutely no reason at all (believe it or not!). I personally believe that talking about raping the dead body of anothers mother is FAR worse than hitting someone in the jaw (at least more twisted or sick anyway).

Do note that i'm here asking you for suggestions of how to make the world a better/happier place for everyone... something that many people, violent video game players or not, would never do.

OK, I’ll come clean. I realize saying ‘Ban all violent computer games and TV shows’ is a bit extreme, and I said it partly to generate some lively debate, not because I believe it 100 per cent.

Some ‘pretend’ violence in games is harmless and can be fun, and some violence in TV shows can be part of the plot, for example, where someone is defending themselves.

However, there is a wider issue here with regard to violence, which I believe is important. If you actually enjoy a violent thought, for whatever reason, it sends out a message. It attracts similar thoughts which become a reality in the sub-conscious mental planes. You, personally, may not feel affected at the time, but these mental projections take on a life of their own and can manifest elsewhere and affect others, or rebound on you in the future. Don’t forget that what you think is what you create.

That is why so many of us pray for, and meditate on, peace in the world – to counteract the effects of non-peaceful thoughts and projections. This has been known for thousands of years. LoA has picked up on this to a limited extent, but, generally, is more concerned with manifesting one’s own, personal desires.

Watch your thoughts. They may be more powerful than you think. I may be exaggerating, but one negative, violent or harmful thought could cause a tsunami on the other side of the world, if it were not for the positive thoughts of others to counteract it.

How about moving away from video games and playing the real game of life? It's a lot more exciting.

[Ak47]

Originally Posted by Cantando

How about moving away from video games and playing the real game of life? It's a lot more exciting.

I've played the game of real life more than you know.

Frankly though, i don't think you're in a position to be judging my lifestyle, nor is anyone for that matter.

"I'm the one who has to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way i want to." Jimi Hendrix.

I'd like to think if a constantly drug-induced musician can figure that one out, everybody else should be able to as well...

[Cantando]

Originally Posted by Ak47

I've played the game of real life more than you know.

Frankly though, i don't think you're in a position to be judging my lifestyle, nor is anyone for that matter.

"I'm the one who has to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way i want to." Jimi Hendrix.

I'd like to think if a constantly drug-induced musician can figure that one out, everybody else should be able to as well...

I wasn't addressing you personally. It was a general exhortation. I am a great fan of Hendrix, BTW. He was a peaceful soul.

[Ak47]

Originally Posted by Cantando

I wasn't addressing you personally. It was a general exhortation. I am a great fan of Hendrix, BTW. He was a peaceful soul.

Alrighty then.

Peaceful soul... sure... his music and guitar playing was pretty good too.

[Barcs]

Good parenting goes a long way. Believe me. That is a MUCH greater thing than any inanimate object.

[coLLege kid07]

Originally Posted by Cantando

OK, I’ll come clean. I realize saying ‘Ban all violent computer games and TV shows’ is a bit extreme, and I said it partly to generate some lively debate, not because I believe it 100 per cent.

Some ‘pretend’ violence in games is harmless and can be fun, and some violence in TV shows can be part of the plot, for example, where someone is defending themselves.

However, there is a wider issue here with regard to violence, which I believe is important. If you actually enjoy a violent thought, for whatever reason, it sends out a message. It attracts similar thoughts which become a reality in the sub-conscious mental planes. You, personally, may not feel affected at the time, but these mental projections take on a life of their own and can manifest elsewhere and affect others, or rebound on you in the future. Don’t forget that what you think is what you create.

That is why so many of us pray for, and meditate on, peace in the world – to counteract the effects of non-peaceful thoughts and projections. This has been known for thousands of years. LoA has picked up on this to a limited extent, but, generally, is more concerned with manifesting one’s own, personal desires.

Watch your thoughts. They may be more powerful than you think. I may be exaggerating, but one negative, violent or harmful thought could cause a tsunami on the other side of the world, if it were not for the positive thoughts of others to counteract it.

How about moving away from video games and playing the real game of life? It's a lot more exciting.

Well I think if you want to actually "make the world a better place" you might want to start with practical ideas that could actually have an effect in the world. Sorry to say eliminating violence or anything like that is not going to happen for a long time, so you might want to put that idea on hold and think of something else.

If you're really serious about this, volenteering for any local community service or national community service will have a great effect in the world.

[Cantando]

Originally Posted by coLLege kid07

Well I think if you want to actually "make the world a better place" you might want to start with practical ideas that could actually have an effect in the world. Sorry to say eliminating violence or anything like that is not going to happen for a long time, so you might want to put that idea on hold and think of something else.

If you're really serious about this, volenteering for any local community service or national community service will have a great effect in the world.

You can help reduce violence immediately by thinking peaceful thoughts. But, if you feel that your calling is of a more practical nature, then that's fine as well, and rest assured that it is supported by the thoughts and prayers of others in helping make the world a more peaceful place. We all have an individual calling and one calling is not better than another. They complement each other and work together.

[infinitethoughts]

Originally Posted by Ak47

I'm doing some personal research on this subject for a personal project. This question is pretty open ended. Truly, i'm trying to get ideas related to making the US a better place, not the world. So, i'm not as interested in ways to fix 3rd world countries, etc since they don't pertain to the US directly.

I'm not looking for individual ways to make a difference, but rather major things that could be changed to make things better for everyone such as economy, education, poverty rates, government, etc. Both broad and specific answers and ideas are welcomed. Thanks!

As my pal Cantando above sez...

Technically "the world" doesn't exist. Or better said, is generated moment to moment by your Perceptions. (Perceptions-meaning How you perceive yourself and "the world".)

Granted. It is a strange and "otherworldly" concept. But it seems the Ancients knew what they were talking about.

One could argue, Great. You're telling me to stick my head in the sand.

No. Not stick your head in the sand, but actively participate in the moment to moment (which is the only way it's generated) re-construction of "the world" from the inside out.

More and more people start doing this, then events really change.

[Buttercat Apocalypse]

Anarchy!!!!!!!!!!!! :d