metrocake

I was going to respond to Bill O’Reilly’s comments on technology and video games with a succinct “Fuck off,” but that’s not giving his comments nearly as much attention as they deserve. Go read them, then come back. I can wait!

So here goes…
The printing press was once considered a new technology. So was the Victrola. So was the television. All are methods of communication, and all could be considered potentially addictive. “He always has his head in a book” is not necessarily a complimentary term…and teens have been using music to block out their parents since forever ago. To state that these new techologies are unduly addictive is to ignore all innovation for at least a century or more.

And to state that “In the past to flee the real world people usually chose drugs or alcohol…now you don’t have to do that, Now all you have to do is have enough money to buy a machine…” is just ludicrous. Which costs more, a Playstation or a fifth of gin? And does he somehow think people are becoming less addicted to drugs or alcohol? Quite frankly, I’d rather folks be addicted to computers — keep addicts out of the hospitals and off the roads. Here’s a hint, Mr. O’Reilly: I haven’t heard of anyone arrested for driving under the influence of a video game…have you?

“Basically what you have is a large portion of the population, mostly younger people under the age of 45, who don’t deal with reality — ever. So they don’t know what day it is; they don’t know temperature it is; they don’t know what their neighbor looks like. They don’t know anything…because they are constantly diverted by a machine.” I think it’s Tuesday…it’s kind of cold out…and I know what my neighbors look like. I’m going out with them in a few weeks! But seriously? How is it possible for him to make these statements when there are so many ways to socialize and communicate online? Look at MySpace. Look at blogs. I know who my friends are — and since some of them live pretty far from me, my blog and their blogs are how we catch up! (Hi, Suzie!) And here’s how I meet new people, and am exposed to new ideas — gasp — did I say “new ideas?!” — through people I come into contact with online.

Granted, yes, there are some people who become addicted to these technologies. Of course there are. There are people who, for example, scheduled their entire Christmas holiday around the new World of Warcraft expansion — and genuinely didn’t know what to do for the holidays when it was delayed. There are folks who have neglected their kids, their significant others, and their extended families to play videogames. It’s very easy to do that. However, the same could be said for gambling, drink, and drugs. If you have an addictive personality, you need to be on guard, no matter what the activity. Period.

“If this is your primary focus in life — the machines…it’s going to have a staggeringly negative effect, all of this, for America…did you ever talk to these computer geeks? I mean, can you carry on a conversation with them?” I am one, I’m living with one, I’m friends with several…and yet, I’ve also been an actress, sung in a band, have great relationships with those who are not geeks (who rely on my geekiness from time to time)…and devoutly hope my kids are geeks. :)

But enough about me. So in O’Reilly’s world, does that mean that Bill Gates — the world’s biggest geek, and who donated 106 million to charity — can’t hold a conversation? Then how’d he get Warren Buffet to donate 30 million dollars to his foundation — sign language? Cue cards? C’mon.

“I really fear for the United States because, believe me, the jihadists? They’re not playing the video games. They’re killing real people over there.” Oh, WELL, then, let’s just put down the video games and kill some real people over here! I’ll just grab my Uzi and fire into Times Square, that oughta do it! : sigh : Hello. HelLO. This is the knee-jerk conservatist reaction to everything — link it with the terrorists so we’ll all be scared, scared, scared. What the fuck do video games have to do with any of the jihads currently going on? If you play “World of Warcraft,” the terrorists will win?

Empty comments from a frightened little man, all of them. Go buy an iPod, Bill, it’ll do ya some good.