Over the Edge « November 9, 2005 Opinion _ o Wintergarden Roundtable ISSUE 1: Video Game as Social Tool Kids Who Play Video Games Aren't Closet Psychos KEVIN GILLICH THE LINK (CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY) MONTREAL, QC. (CUP) The be- lief that video games entrance children into a zombie-like state may be as far- fetched as the story of a plumber who fights evil turtles and consumes mush- rooms to double in size, according to a team of Concordia researchers. Sociology and anthropology profes- sor Bart Simon and humanities profes- sor Shanly Dixon have recently com- pleted their research paper, “Where the Boys Play: Video Games, Nostalgia and the So-called Other Spaces of Child- hood,’ that looked at whether children from the video game era become dis- connected from the world around them as they play. “The surprise was [the kids] were not disappearing into other worlds,’ said Simon, “[Game] designers think they are sending kids into another world, but the kids don’t understand it that way. There has been much debate as to whether children become disjointed from reality when they are playing vid- eo games. One of the major arguments of video game opponents are that video games cause kids to lose touch from the world around them and commit hor- rible acts of violence. However, according to Simon and Dixon's research, children playing vid- eo games in groups see that the game world and the real world co-exist and are not two separate realities that can be confused with each other. ISSUE 2: Mandatory Voting The Only Way to Restore Government Credibility CARIEWILLSON THE PROJECTOR (RED RIVER COLLEGE) WINNIPEG, MB. (CUP) - In the last federal election voter turnout reached an all time low with just 61 per cent of eligible voters casting a ballot. This trend is concerning politicians, who are now looking for ways to com- bat growing voter apathy. Senator Mac Harb was in Winnipeg recently to discuss mandatory voting. Harb sees the decline in voter turn- out as a result of Canadians forgetting the importance of voting. This, in turn, has created a“hollow democracy.’ “How can we have a government who claims to be representative when just 60 per cent bother to vote?” In an attempt to stop what he refers to as the erosion of the democratic sys- tem, Harb introduced a Bill on manda- tory voting to Senate chambers on Dec. 9, 2004. Under the Bill, voters would be re- quited to vote in all federal elections or face a $50 fine. To avoid the fine one would be able to refuse the ballot, vote for none of the above, or provide a let- ter to Elections Canada with a legiti- mate reason for not voting. Harb’s Bill is modeled after Austra- lia's electoral system, which has been in place since 1924. During their last election, he says voter turnout was 95 per cent. He also points to other countries, such as Belgium, Brazil and Greece, who have mandatory voting laws. In countries with mandatory voting, he says turnout reaches over 80 per cent of eligible voters, showing that “the system works beautifully.’ Critics argue that every individual has the right to decide whether they vote and by not voting, the individual may be making a statement to the gov- ernment. “T's the adults that feel the need to tease these spaces apart,’ said Simon. The research also shows that chil- dren do not get absorbed into video games to the point where the outside world is drowned out. While observing groups of children playing video games, the researchers noted that the children didn't simply sit immobile in front of the screen. “They don't stare at the screen blank- ly like zombies,’ said Simon. The kids were, instead, constantly talking to each other, their conversa- tion frequently switching from game- related talk and bragging about their skills or scores to questioning each other about various aspects of their real lives. Furthermore, the children studied had rich and varied conversations and ELIZABETH FYLES Jillian Merrick (right): “Animal Crossin, are not reduced to aggressive speech and behaviour. According to Simon, the video game doesn't dominate the social interaction, but rather serves as a mediator for so- cial interaction. This research applies to children who are playing games in groups. “Alone with a good game, it’s so easy to get absorbed and feel displaced,” said Simon, The same could be said of a book or movie. When asked if the experience of © playing video games is any different for girls, Simon could not give a definitive - answer. “Dividing spaces is a result of patri- archy,’ said Simon, therefore it made sense to begin by observing boys at play. More in-depth research needs to Six semi-willing UNBC students give their opinions on events happening around the world be done, but Simon: guessed that. the social tendency to divide up spaces would over-ride more gender-based behaviour. Though this research helps answer whether video games are harmful to children, it has also brought up several other questions as well, one of which Simon seems particularly interested in having answered. “What if children experience spaces differently from adults, and what if kids never grow up?” This was the first public event held by the Montreal GameCODE Project, a collaborative research project focused on the social and cultural analysis of digital games and gaming cultures. Drew Bailey (left): The problem is not with gaming, it's when it’s hooked up to the internet. Games like Everquest came out and people were making “friends” but they never actually meet them, Instead.., they hang out with their “friends” there which I think impedes social evolution as they aren't used to face to face ‘interaction. This causes a major conundrum because kids think they have a lot of social friends when in actuality there's no chance that they will have a date this Friday night at the boxcar social. ig” rocks, I would way rather live in that world. Perhaps this is an issue because new video games are all Roe playing and creating alternative worlds where as “DuckHunt” requires no imagination and role playing. Did I mention I love “Animal Crossing”? Brandon McClounie (centre): I think video games broaden their horizons to think that they can steal a car, do a hooker, shoot an elderly lady, and they can always go to restart. This oad ‘them a good sense of worth in the modern world today. Under his proposal, Harb says the individual still has the right to decline the ballot. He further cautions that politicians see an individual not voting as “being happy with the status quo.’ While Harb allows for people mak- ing a statement, he has harsh words for people who simply chose not to vote. “If you want to be lazy and not both- er with your duty to other Canadians because you dont care about your fel- low citizens; because you don't care about those who govern your nation; because you are un-Canadian, then, you know what, take your name off the list because you don't deserve to vote,’ says Harb. Harb is the first to admit that he does not have the perfect solution, which he says would be for everyone to “get off your rear end,.go to the voting booth and vote.’ Bill S-22 is at second reading and has been referred to a Senate committee. “| may not agree with what you have to say, but! will defend to the death your right to say it.” ~ Voltaire The opinions expressed in editorials or letters to the editor that are submitted to Over the Edge are not the opinions of Over the Edge or UNBC. The views expressed in a letter submitted to Over the Edge are the views of the original authors, and therefore, do not reflect the views of Over the Edge, or its staff. Over the Edge welcomes your submissions to our opinion section. Due to the high volume of letters we receive, we would appreciate it if letters were kept at 500 words or less. To submit a letter to the editor e-mail over-the-edge@unbc.ca. Cal Hilde: It should be mandatory for provincial and federal elections. Nik Holm: Even if it is mandatory people will scratch ballots. People would rather scratch the ballot than pay a fine. Annika Gerlach; My only concern is that protection of the elite will be in dan- ger if the common man is encouraged to vote. Caitlin French: I think deep down I don't care about politics, I think if I know nothing about the people I'm voting for, do you really want me to vote? International saan Management KE} TA T14 ie NEXT LEVEL Take your degree to a whole new level of success. St, Postgraduate Learn to manage international development projects overseas, International Project Management is the only postgraduate program in Canada that shows you how your degree can change the world. Call 416-675-6622, ext..3032 or email rupen.das@humber.ca for further information, Apply for all Business School programs at the OCAS web site — www.ontariocolleges.ca Seating is Limited! (jy HUMBER The Business School www. business. humber.ca