CNN Blames Video Games For Men's Lack Of Ambition
See Full ImageYep, just another missile aimed in the gamer's direction. And it comes from a mainstream media source...of course.
This one's gonna get some attention. And maybe I'll address it a little later in an editorial. But for now, head on over to CNN and read the article entitled, "Why Men Are In Trouble." There's a big picture of a dude playing a video game above the headline.
It first says that 18-34-year-old men are playing games more often than 12-17-year-old boys, and claims that while women are graduating college and finding good jobs, "too many men are not going to work, not getting married and not raising families." And here's one of the quotes from that piece that's going to really get arguments raging:
"Get off the video games five hours a day, get yourself together, get a challenging job and get married. It’s time for men to man up."
Just...just...give me a second. I have to process this. When I do, William J. Bennett is going to get a relatively large - and peeved - piece of my mind.
Tags: video games, cnn, gaming culture, gaming industry
10/5/2011 10:51:05 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (76 posts)
DrRockso87
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:02:17 AM
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Aside from not going to work, is that really a negative result of video games? Sounds more like a great way to control over-population if you ask me.
11 up, 2 down
Highlander
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:16:25 AM
As usual this is someone seeking an answer to a problem that existed long before games, and as usual the 'new' medium is to blame.
14 up, 0 down
Excelsior1
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:07:23 AM
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5 up, 0 down
duomaxwell007
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:10:19 AM
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6 up, 0 down
TrophyHunter
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:49:34 AM
10 up, 0 down
archs13
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 2:34:24 PM
3 up, 0 down
archs13
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 2:36:38 PM
0 up, 1 down
friction
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:13:17 AM
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I for one would trade all that in to sit on a couch with my favorite games day after day :P
4 up, 0 down
TrophyHunter
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:51:38 AM
2 up, 0 down
jimmyhandsome
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:26:47 AM
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Not to mention he completely misrepresents those statistics from the 1950s.
3 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 12:12:30 PM
We saw this same thing happen in the 80's, and it wasn't videogames that got the blame then, though I can't remember what it was, I think it was gang violence (in the UK at least) and drugs.
2 up, 0 down
jimmyhandsome
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 12:21:03 PM
Its hard to blame a 25 year old for wanting to go to bars and play video games with his buddies rather than get married and have a 50% chance it'll end in monthly alimony payments. Who's to say this guy isn't well educated with a great job? Men playing videogames into their 30's hardly seems like the root of this country's problems.
His article was blantantly stirring the pot for viewership/readership for CNN. And of course, videogames are in the cross hairs.
1 up, 0 down
Kingharris
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:29:04 AM
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So, I get married, have a kid, get a good job.
Now for entertainment, CNN, no, American Idol, No, Americas Next Top Model, no.
Well, you seen TV is mostly trash.
Gaming on the other hand..
8 up, 1 down
TrophyHunter
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:48:40 AM
5 up, 1 down
Fane1024
Thursday, October 06, 2011 @ 1:12:49 AM
0 up, 0 down
Gabriel013
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:31:00 AM
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I'm not in a relationship but that has nothing to do with games and I have absolutely no interest in raising a family. Whole damn world is populated enough as it is.
2 up, 1 down
Twistedfloyd
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:36:46 AM
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I do, but I'm not just going to throw my PS3 out the window and be like well I guess I gotta go be a business executive somewhere and screw my secretary, then get a wife out of nowhere and have unwelcomed children. Sounds like the damn American dream right there (sarcasm).
There are plenty of women who game as well, moron. God, the thing I can't stand about these things is that so many people who belittle gaming haver never played video games before. They've seen a trailer or watched someone play. Or if they have played, their exposure has been minimal.
There are plenty of great games out there that enrich the mind, or are pure escapism.
There are plenty of great stories and meaningful experiences to be found in games. Hell, as silly as it sounds playing MGS-MGS4 back to back to back to back having never played them before, quite frankly saved my life in 2008 and inspired me TO BE SUCCESSFUL and want to control my own destiny. It was the first thing that began to get me out of a major depressive funk and changed the way I live my life.
So to this person, I say F U C K you and your BS. Sure video games eat up time, sometimes we all play too much, but they're not the cause of the world's problems. They're a fun and sometimes meaningful source of entertainment that narrow minded individuals such as this "gentleman" can't seem to wrap their head around.
3 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:46:30 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:51:22 AM
3 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 12:25:22 PM
1 up, 0 down
jimmyhandsome
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 12:30:52 PM
2 up, 0 down
Gordo
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 3:50:41 PM
(Please someone get the reference!)
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 3:55:54 PM
Or perhaps something to do with American Psycho?
I will admit, it rang a bell, but I had to google to get a specific reference.
0 up, 0 down
Gordo
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 8:19:57 PM
Adam Sandler song:
But there’s a problem
It’s not your average problem
But it’s a pretty big problem
His hobby is moyda
His hobby is moyda
He’ll eat a hamboyga
Then commit moyda
Classic!
1 up, 0 down
TrophyHunter
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:47:31 AM
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3 up, 0 down
AcHiLLiA
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 1:15:45 PM
2 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 5:59:05 PM
0 up, 0 down
Gordo
Thursday, October 06, 2011 @ 5:02:40 PM
I thought that was the "other thing" that gentleman of leisure like to do with their hands!
I'd like to raise a toast to "taken one for team me"...
Cheers!!!
0 up, 0 down
nogoat23
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:49:11 AM
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Can I have a job, also...will you marry me?
7 up, 0 down
gumbi
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 11:52:59 AM
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I play as often as I can. Granted, I don't get to play as much as I used to, but boy I sure used to play a lot. All that video gaming I used to do doesn't seem to have affected my ambition any.
And lets not forget, some people have no desire to have a family and a trophy job. Some people are genuinely happy with what they have. Is that really so bad? This doesn't mean they suffer a lack of ambition, they just have different ambition.
I'm in no way condoning the lazy unemployed leaches who live off our hard earned tax dollars. But is it anything to be ashamed of to be happy with your warehouse job, or your retail job? And to have the freedom to go home after a days work and chill out on the couch with some vids?
And seeing higher graduating rates and employment rates among women has nothing to do with men playing video games. That's just ludicrous. It has everything to do with the strong push for equality and the simple fact that times have changed. In today's society women are capable, and expected, to be career driven. In in many cases, to support this trend, women are given a lot of breaks to help them emerge into markets that are predominantly run by men.
I'm in IT, when I was in college there were 2 girls in my class. Yeah, just 2. And they both had their tuition/books paid for, straight up, paid for by gov't programs for women in IT. Years later, I'm still paying off student loans. Now tell me this isn't incentive to get more women into college and into the workforce.
2 up, 1 down
Qubex
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 12:02:30 PM
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No thanks... keeping mostly to myself - with a few quality friends (and you guys at PsXeXtreme), playing on the console and saving my money has saved me ass compared to many others around the globe...
So they can go and shove their manlyhood somewhere else...
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Last edited by Qubex on 10/5/2011 12:04:01 PM
0 up, 0 down
Russell Burrows
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 12:12:18 PM
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The real reason for "articles" like that is that in most cases actual TV Show viewership and TV news viewership is going down.
The reason?
Folks tired of the trash on TV are turning in greater numbers to the one thing with no ads.
Yeah its the good entertainment value in Video Games that are killing off the mainstream TV shows numbers.
CNN blames video games for lower viewership numbers.
There.
Fixed.
Hmmm todays to do list:
Visit public notary
Lawyers interview
check on new contract for commercial power
pick up kids from school
pay kids private school
go see public accountant
get parts for one of my vehicles
fix my sons netbook
edit and print out some documents
and time permitting
visit dentist
buy camera tripod
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 12:14:22 PM
1 up, 0 down
Russell Burrows
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 12:23:53 PM
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I went huh????
Nope!
I found the entire series on the Bay and after MKV2Vob did its thing I then placed the entire 51 Rave Master shows on my Sons PS3
And I said thats Daddy TV where there are no ads!! just PS3 entertainment.
So my kids started watching the Rave Master shows on the PS3 and asked for Meerkat Manor and I am searching for that.
My point is that the PS3 is entertainment when YOU want it and not when the TV station gets tired of showing ads.
0 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 6:01:54 PM
0 up, 0 down
Dreno
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 12:41:33 PM
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"oh if you play games, your lazy and uninspired, blah blah blah"
i myself am living proof to disredit this story. No I'm not married, but I've been with the same girl for going on 5 years, she also happens to be the mother of my 1.5 year old son.
And I have a job, granted its not the best paying job in the world, I still earn money for my labor in which I use to pay bills such as rent, electricity and gas. I buy food for my girl, our son and my self. That to me sounds like I'm your average everyday tax paying money making child raising blue coller american.
These reporters should get a clue about something before they attack it. Maybe get some insight from actuall gamers and report everything they learned instead of trying to blame someone being "lazy" on gaming because it just happens to be said persons no1 hobby. Isn't that just a coincidence
Besides this kind of reminds me of racial profiling, only minus the racial part. So I guess just profiling.
2 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 12:50:21 PM
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Last edited by Jawknee on 10/5/2011 12:57:21 PM
1 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 2:44:53 PM
"I don't understand why people say 'grow some balls'. Balls are tender and weak. People should want to grow a vagina. Those things take a pounding!"
This "man up" stuff is childish enough, as is. And Betty makes a great point. lol
3 up, 0 down
FxTales
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 2:58:40 PM
0 up, 0 down
79transam
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 12:52:50 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 2:08:09 PM
1 up, 0 down
79transam
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 3:17:24 PM
0 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Thursday, October 06, 2011 @ 1:20:02 AM
0 up, 1 down
GuyverLT
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 2:16:21 PM
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It's easy to call someone lazy when you don't have a job at all, let alone a job in this market. I find it rather amusing that someone who has worked in office jobs for his entire professional life can have the audacity to call others lazy.
The idea that religion is necessary to be a man of moral worth or virtue is non-sense. I know many men who are both non-religious and strong men of character, as well as many religious "men" who are barely worthy of the either label.
And on to video games, my favorite topic. You don't have to like them, but at least do some research. There have been strong positive statistical results for interactive media consumption and improved problem solving, critical thinking, and rapid decision making skills in children and adults. When monitored properly, games can provide powerful teaching moments for people. How is choosing to spend leisure time playing a game any different from spending it listening to music, or watching TV, reading. Answer: it isn't. It's all media consumption, just in different forms.
P.S. If you're sad that the controller is too difficult for you to use, just say so...
3 up, 0 down
sawao_yamanaka
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 2:20:08 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 4:51:00 PM
The founder of Planned Parenthood(Margret Sanger) would concur. Such a terrible thing to believe.
0 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 2:21:22 PM
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But most people know that's just ignorant, too.
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 2:34:51 PM
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On a serious note...
I've been playing games since I was 4 years old. I also played sports my whole life, played piano for 15 years, trumpet for 8, sang for 11, and got good enough grades to get an entrance scholarship into university. I also scored a leadership scholarship upon entry... and that whole time growing up? I had a tv in my bedroom with a NES, gameboy, SNES, genesis, N64, and PS1. And I played the crap out of games too. With friends even... who also became successful.
And my parents didn't buy them for me (except my NES. I got that for Christmas). No... you want motivation? I was motivated enough in my love of games to work my ass off mowing lawns and shoveling snow for neighbors to buy my own systems.
So I went off to university, where I also had a tv in my itty bitty dorm room with all the aforementioned systems, but also an XBOX and a PS2. I was motivated enough to still get good grades, and as it turns out, I was motivated enough in high school to be good enough at both soccer and volleyball to make it into the OCAA for both sports. In fact, in volleyball, we were 13th in the country. Turns out, I was also motivated enough to be ranked number 5 in the province in long distance running for track and field.
Did I mention I also took part in plays and musicals?
And here's important info.... I played the friggin' crap out of video games. LOADS of them. My best gaming mate was my roommate, and we played every night. EVERY night. He was on the deans list and finished in the 3 percentile in teacher's college afterwards. He's also a fantastic hockey player.
Now I have a career! I still play sports recreationally (I'm not as in shape as I used to be, admittedly, but sue me. I'm married now.) I am a home owner, I own a car, I am married, and I volunteer about 6 hours per week. I also have a baby due THIS FREAKIN' MONTH! *fear*
oh... and yeah... I still love to play the crap out of my PS3 games. I even play online with many of the friends I grew up with and went to college with... like my roommate who is now a vice principal of a school.
So.... f**k you, CNN.
Who are you to downplay what I do? I bet most people on this site have made more contributions to their community in a positive way than your entire corporation to ever hope to achieve.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 10/5/2011 2:36:45 PM
7 up, 0 down
Deleted User
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 3:20:57 PM
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Funny thing is, Canadians can buy the CNN & Fox News channels. I guess they provide good comedy for some. I'd rather order up Al-Jazeera. I watched their free preview in March and I thought it was excellent, low-key and professional. No egomaniacs there.
Last edited by n/a on 10/5/2011 3:22:34 PM
1 up, 0 down
5TAY3R
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 3:41:32 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Gordo
Thursday, October 06, 2011 @ 5:07:43 PM
You know a sentence isn't going to end well when it starts with: "I'm not a fan of an*l s*x but"...
Classic!
0 up, 0 down
PharaohJR
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 3:46:30 PM
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ya see this why i dont flow with stereoypes. i have a friend who plays both 360 & ps3 works a security job married & resides in 500,000 house in ATL whos 28. then i have some folks who run around swearing they tuff untill they see red & blue lights & they hands in cuffs. couple months later they released & they not the same person they were before.
cause a person doesnt live according to ya aspect u want to bring down them down & say they not this & that smh. whats going on its a lot of monkey news in the media lately or am i just noticing whats been the longest.
0 up, 0 down
allDFlavors
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 5:16:04 PM
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2 up, 0 down
Oxvial
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 6:03:35 PM
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I prefer to battle bosses that battle a stupid wife.
3 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 8:58:05 PM
0 up, 0 down
PANICinc
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 6:33:09 PM
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I see it every day! And since my job revolves around gaming, being an avid gamer improves my job performance!
And as for getting married? Well who the hell do you think is paying for the games? The unemployed male, or his sugar mama? And plenty of parents out there use gaming as parenting TOOL! Get good grades, game. Finish homework, game. Screw up, no game!
I'm a divorced professional gamer. CNN, I contradict you!
(And no, gaming had nothing to do with the divorce)
1 up, 0 down
Lairfan
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 7:02:44 PM
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Last edited by Lairfan on 10/5/2011 7:07:14 PM
1 up, 0 down
DarthNemesis
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 7:09:52 PM
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Last edited by DarthNemesis on 10/5/2011 7:12:50 PM
0 up, 0 down
Nas Is Like
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 8:12:10 PM
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CNN is just a bunch of idiots.
0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 9:00:38 PM
0 up, 0 down
johnld
Thursday, October 06, 2011 @ 1:00:13 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Thursday, October 06, 2011 @ 1:08:48 AM
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(goes back to playing videogames)
;D
0 up, 0 down
Kevin555
Thursday, October 06, 2011 @ 2:27:06 AM
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Cool.
(Goes back to playing video games)
Last edited by Kevin555 on 10/6/2011 2:30:54 AM
1 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Thursday, October 06, 2011 @ 8:49:33 AM
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___________
Thursday, October 06, 2011 @ 3:14:26 AM
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hmmmmmmm?
my god the arrogance and short sightedness of these idiots never ceases to amaze me!
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
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Wednesday, October 05, 2011 @ 10:59:58 AM