Art can be interpreted in may ways. Just because the author reads it one way doesn't mean it was the intent.
I’m also not sure what your point regarding intent is. If something has a certain unintended effect the authors’ statement that they never intended that effect may be interesting (especially when looking at the creation process and when looking into why certain things turn out the way they do) but it’s not exactly a valid defence. The effect is very real, intended or not.
Is the stated effect a reasonable interpretation and is it likely to be at least no completely rare? That’s the question you should ask and discuss. I don’t think intent is even a tiny bit relevant here.
However, this whole topic is still a vast wasteland. All the discussion always seems to focus on violence and whether or not video games cause it (for which there is very little evidence and if there is an effect it is likely to be quite small) – but completely ignore the importance of talking about art and entertainment and the messages it has. This isn’t about censorship, this is about serious criticism.
I’m too tired for a nuanced discussion on this today, so I will allow myself to be a bit harsh: When I look at popular games I see the most brutal violence being celebrated everywhere. And it sickens me. I want more better games with less violence for this awesome medium. And I want game creators to ask themselves why they feel the need for violence to always be so, so central.
Maybe many many years from now we can appreciate it aesthetically, like we do some propagandic speeches, but right now it's very clear that COD drives a very certain message to the people who play it - but now I'm just repeating the article.
>>"Not co-incidentally, G.I. Joe returned when America needed him most. It was re-launched in September 2001, with the battle against terrorists replacing its ‘80s communist foes.
This is evident in everything from comics to music. For instance here is a nice tune for you 80s babies, ActRazer - Kill Switch: http://youtu.be/_jhHRth-4qg
First of all, children are not actively engaged with media. They can appreciate art, but for the most part they are not having a conversation with what they consume, so, yes, we should be aware of what they consume, because, again, they do not consume like we do.
Second, I don't think we should ban Call of Duty. I think we should shame the executives responsible out of the industry and set the developers right or not work with them. However my opinion would be different if the games were less vulgar/parents had better control over them.
> they do not consume like we do
They are smarter than you think. Some play dumb because people except them to be dumb, but try talking to a kid who isn't oppressed by people who think they can't engage with media actively.
>I think we should shame the executives responsible out of the industry and set the developers right or not work with them.
In other words, you want to encourage censorship for things you don't like.
That's right! People who are worried about some of the crap kids get exposed to are actually actively causing whatever they're worried about. This makes so much sense.
I've met kids who were raised as people instead of as sub-human property. They are not damaged. They can make solid choices. They know what's real and what's not, and fiction doesn't hurt them no more than it does any adult. Children are hungry for knowledge, and when gained it is exactly what makes people more resilient against what you fear.
On topic, CoD is not made for children. It's made for adults. But if a child was exposed to it and they understood it was all pretend do you think they would be in any way damaged? If they understood that in reality it's not okay to shoot people that playing a game would make them want to shoot people in the real world? Would they think it was okay to shoot Russians? That the US needs a larger army?
I grew up in a highly religious family and was censored from basically every media in fear of the "crap" turning me toward satan. Which was everything, and it makes me roll my eyes now what they thought would turn me away from their god. This is why I hold so much disdain for people who are so worried about kids being exposed to crap. Let the kids decide if it's crap or not. Talk with them about why they like it or not. If something concerns you about what they are interested in, talk with them to make sure they understand what is and isn't real, what is acceptable in the real world and what isn't. If they know what's real and what isn't why should they fear? Why should they be damaged in any way?
Why? The game is rated M, the game shops doesn't let children buy M-rated games. Educate the parents instead. Leave my games be, please.
Because it's a lot of fun and guns are cool. What lasting impression would CoD make on a 12-year old kid's mind anyway?