This photograph by Jim Sterling was probably set-up depicting what is actually a very common event – a wife beating. This facial expression carries the most significance of the photograph and the fist carries secondary importance. The facial expression shows that she has lost all of the trust that she had for her husband from what he did and also is twisted with great perplexity which cries out, “who ARE you? You are a monster!” This represents the common studies performed that state that increased aggression levels are linked to video games. Most in-depth video game players can agree that they have felt great bolts of frustration and annoyance when their parents suddenly call them to get off of their video game and do their chores or a favor. This frustration and feeling is the perfect explanation of this photo. The extremity of this photo invokes a powerful feeling of shamefulness, disgust-with-one’s-self, and morbid regret. It describes what a lot of people have felt in one way or another. It tells a simple truth that cannot be described by a thousand studies – concluding it all with the words: “You never forget your first time.” This is a horrifically powerful statement.
The significance to this photo is that is shows the reality of violent video games. Obviously this action does not happen to all, but it certainly IS a direct result of violence lingering inside of a video gamer's mind, and the emotional attachment in a video game lets the images fester inside of one's heart (subconsciously) as well. This photo describes only what a billion words cannot. We have seen these "wasted words" used countless times in courts - but do the people in courts really see the effects? As a previous video gamer and an observer of many, I know first-hand the truth in this picture... As our subconscious slowly but surely takes priority over what it delights in, and once it’s been denied that pleasure, it consumes.
Works Cited
Sterling, Jim. “Study: Violent video games ads the most memorable.” Photograph. destructoid.com. 9 Apr. 2009. Web. 20 May 2010.
That is a massive amount of extrapolation based on what is clearly anecdotal evidence of one subject (namely the author.) You do realize that scientific studies (many in fact) have been done on the subject and have found that video games raise aggression in some males....exactly to the same degree that competitive sports do. I shall await your treatise on why Timmy shouldn't play tee-ball because it will make him abuse his future wife. God forbid Jessica starts playing soccer because as soon as you tell her to put the ball away she will brain you with her cleats.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe I found this here, haha. Did you even read the page you took the image from? Jim Sterling is one of the most rage-based gamers on the internet right now, and his short study is focused primarily on the fact that people are the problem, not video games. I quote, "It's because we're all sick and twisted, deep down."
ReplyDeleteThis photo isn't talking about the games resulting in violence, rather that the first time we encounter a force with as powerful an impression as violence, we remember it. The first time I got into a fight as a young adult sticks with me, sure. But the first time I shot aliens on the PC? No. It's about separating our experiences from reality and understanding the difference. Cheers on your misinformed disdain on violent video games, heaven help the sheltered children you will no doubt raise in this increasingly aggressive world...