Article Summaries by Michael Ratay

Article 1

The Article "Violent Video Games: The Effects on Youth, and Public Policy Implications" was published by Douglas A. Gentile and Craig A. Anderson was published in 2006 in California. It is a chapter from the book Handbook of Children, Culture and Violence, written by D.G. Singer and R.F. Wilson.
The articles main focus is the effects of violent media pertaining to children. The authors start by describing the levels of violent video games from the first game up until the more violent games of 1990’s while periodically reminding the reader that at that time there hadn’t been research to determine whether or not these games cause aggression. They then move to the research through the years, detailing experimental studies, correlation studies and longitudinal studies. They explain differences such as experimental being conducted for short-term effects, whereas longitudinal measure effects over a long period of time. After the author finishes talking about studies, they move onto comparing research between the birth of violent video games and what we know now. The authors then finish by talking about things from the amount of time playing and just how much content is graphic and the age at which these games have the most effect to responsibility and public policy. Finally the authors conclude with their feelings, reiterating that something still needs to be done in regards to exposure of children to graphic gameplay.


Article 2

The article “Weinstein, Tarantino and the standoff over movie violence” is an internet article written by Andrew O’Hehir for the website, Salon.com. It was published on February 1, 2014.
The underlying message in the article is the continuous debate over aggression related to media, however the author really only touches on how brave Harvey Weinstein is more starting to move away from making violent films. O’Hehir begins by drawing attention to Weinstein’s latest media interview with CNN. He claims that Weinstein has now “vowed” to stop making such incredibly violent movies. O’Hehir talks briefly about Weinstein’s movie history and how he has made Quinten Tarantino into the director he is today just by supporting his films. He then goes on to applaud Weinstein for his “courageous” actions and break down how long and hard he must have thought about this decision. O’Hehir brings up Tarantino’s interview with BBC, in which he was remiss about answering questions pertaining to the relation of media violence to the real world. Finally O’Hehir ends by stating that the effects of violent media in relation to the real world simply aren’t conclusive.


Article 3

The article “Columbine: Whose Fault Is It?” is a periodical written by Marilyn Manson for the magazine Rolling Stones. It was published in issue 815 on June 24, 1999.
This theme of this article is Manson telling it like it is. Manson tries to convey the point that everyone would rather point fingers in any kind of difficult situation rather than look at the real problem at hand. Manson begins by shining a light on just hypocritical we can be by talking about the violence before music, movies and gaming-the bible. He states that before all of what we blame today, no one has been brave enough to look at the “good book” and take a step back to see what it really is. He then talks about what fueled his music and how it was never meant to be what it is viewed as. Manson continually talks about hypocrisy in America and makes excellent points as to wars and bombs we applaud and watch so diligently. Manson claims to have no respect or association for the Littleton shooters. He explains how he became the scapegoat of a violent tragedy by stereotypical journalists and people. Manson brings up his “against the grain” style and how it is so loathed whereas other artists who have done the exact same thing are idolized and revered. Manson ends with revealing why he never publicly went on television to speak of Columbine and finishes with an eye-opener. We have been on a path to destruction long before he started making music.