Video Games Do Not Prepare the Mind for the Grim Realities of War

The following correspondence originally took place upon my Facebook wall, after I posted artwork being shared by an acquaintance from here

Rayn

“Maybe we should always show pictures. Bin Laden, pictures of our wounded service people, pictures of maimed innocent civilians. We can only make decisions about war if we see what war actually is – and not as a video game where bodies quickly disappear leaving behind a shiny gold coin.” – Jon Stewart

Diana B.: right. that’ll work!!! ppl who fight tribal wars, chop off heads and parts of babies, men, women and children need to see more pictures of dead people?! mmmk

Rayn: Jon Stewart is referring to America’s youth. It is impossible for the individuals you speak of “who fight tribal wars, chop off heads and parts of babies, men, women and children” to see war “as a video game where bodies quickly disappear leaving behind a shiny gold coin.”

Diana B.: yea, im not so sure most americans have that view of war, but i do think alot of kids have violent perceptions of the world due to whats on TV and in video games. thank Gd we cut our cable, best decision we ever made!