Gary Whitta & Col. Grossman Faceoff

Circa 1999, soon after the Columbine tragedy, PC Gamer Magazine Editor in Chief Gary Whitta went on FOX News to defend video games against their most fervent opponent of the day, Colonel David Grossman.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• videogames
• whitta
• columbine
• pcgamer
• pc
• gamer

[Ashleytb]

And Whitta went on to be the most evil Jedi of all time.

[TheCrazyMuffin]

Always be testing.

[raccool2]

And quite why Mr Whitta thinks that he doesn't feel safe if that is part of how soldiers and police officers are trained I don't know. Instead of acting like an authority on the psychology of how these things act upon the mind, he should ask Colonel Grossman those questions and listen and learn from the answer. simulations are used precisely because they are so effective.

[raccool2]

Mr Whitta says that there is a world of difference between the simulations the military use, and those available to the public in video games..........well, if anything, some of the video games available to the public are superior simulations, and the people they are available to are not subject to medical examination prior to being allowed access to them as military recruits would be. His argument is not much superior to, "I smoke and dont have cancer, therefore smoking doesnt cause cancer".

[bigboss686]

I had a lot of respect for Lt. Col. Grossman until I watched this video, now the only thing I can think about is how ill-informed and downright idiotic he is on the subject.

Really? Playing video games is going to make you an expert marksman? Well if that is the case why are police hit ratios still roughly the same? answer, because to become good at something you actually have to,. You know, do it.

The only guy living in a fantasy world on the subject is Colonel Grossman

[steven4570]

@oldschoolpaulie ok then, i was just was reading through the mass of your comments but couldn't get a clear view of what your stance was, good enough

[oldschoolpaulie]

@steven4570 Then we agree; the violent games aren't for children. I'll leave it at that.

[steven4570]

the reason he was so accurate was because it was a freaking .22. the gun has no recoil and it makes about as much noise as a firecracker. if he would've had a 9mm or .45 he wouldn't have been near that accurate with it

[steven4570]

@oldschoolpaulie violent video games are not a direct root cause of anything violent, sure they can be used by people to fuel their aggression but so could a lot of other mediums, sometimes it could be things that dont even make sense. i agree kids shouldnt be playing violent games but i think more time needs to be spent on the root of the problem rather than wasting time focusing on indirect ways

[steven4570]

@angryfishmonger how many is "some"? and im so sick of people saying "oh well you're an adult, so playing games is obviously childish" seriously pull your head out of your ass