The PRC vs. Gamers

[Imran Siddiqui]

well... except for Dominicans, Mexicans, Panamanians, Cubans, Japanese, Koreans, Philipinos, Australians, Saudis, Russians, etc (and that's just baseball!).

[Kuciwalker]

Baseball isn't really American though. It was invented in Romania. I have no facts to back this up.

[Az]

Keep on deluding yourself.

[Datajack Franit]

I don´t like limitations to personal freedom, but when you have kids spending up to 10 consecutive hours a day on a computer, it´s time to say "it´s enough", no matter if their parents don´t know or just don´t give a damn about it. And remember you are supposed to have a break of 20 minutes for every hour of gaming

[Sava]

let parents parent their own kids

mind your own business

stfu

thank you drive thru

[DaShi]

Originally posted by mindseye
Two quick points:

(1) Laws, rules and regulations in China are not the same as in the west. Western media often neglect to mention this when breathlessly reporting on the latest new law in China.

Laws & regulations may be enforced, selectively enforced, or not enforced at all. If young Chinese want to spend money at net bars, you better believe Chinese net bar owners will find ways to accomodate them, regardless of some regulation on the books thousands of miles away in Beijing.


(2) Online gaming really is a big social problem here. For many teens, Counter Strike is their number one pastime,nothing else even comes close. Many of my students are teenagers, and the amount of time some of them spend sitting on their asses, smoking and eating junk food while playing online in their bedrooms or at net bars is frightening. It affects their weight, health, studies, and their social skills.

I know some of my students cut class (these are expensive classes their parents pay for) to go across the street to play Counter Strike instead. Recently, I had a chubby teen student who claimed his ideal job would be to legally kill people. Several times in class he mentioned his desire to kill people. Naturally, he's a Counter Strike addict. Also here in Shanghai, a guy recently knifed another to death over a dispute involving some treasure won in an online game.

Online gaming in China is a different problem than in the US, and I can easily understand the government's concerns.

I think one of the concerns in China's increasing use of technology to keep people in line. Yes, China has a problem with enforcement, due heavily to the corruption among police and local officials. The technology they want to implement is completely impartial. Thus, unfair laws can't be broken, and everyone is forced into the same small box. I'm glad that I have the freedom to make my own choices for better or worse. The problem here is that Chinese children are taught how to make the better choices either because they are an only child spoiled by their parents or their parents themselves are unable to make such decisions instead relying on the government nanny system.

However, I agree that gaming is pervasive in modern Chinese society. Many of my college students spent far too much time playing games. My school would turn off their electricity at 11:00pm, which made an excellent subject for debates in class. But I don't think that gaming is the cause the violent or aggressive behavior displayed by some.

[DaShi]

Originally posted by Sprayber



I'm not understanding the point of having a law that goes unenforced or is enforced only on certain occasions. You end up undermining the rule of law if they are only meant for show.

Actually, that's why a lot of laws are passed. Tingkai often touts China's environmental laws, but the record has shown that these laws have done nothing to improve the environment other than pacifying protestors temporarily. In Chinese culture, appearance is more important than substance. Hence the heavy significance of 'face.'

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Datajack Franit
I don´t like limitations to personal freedom, but when you have kids spending up to 10 consecutive hours a day on a computer, it´s time to say "it´s enough", no matter if their parents don´t know or just don´t give a damn about it. And remember you are supposed to have a break of 20 minutes for every hour of gaming

The state is supposed to play parent? I think that's the reason all these kids play games so much, because of the lack of freedom in other respects of their lives.

[lord of the mark]

pardon, doesn't this law apply to ALL, not just to minors?

[pchang]

Actually, I find this very creative. It is not illegal to play as long as you like. You just get "in game" penalties for it. China has essentially classified computer games as dangerous substances (like drugs) that must be regulated. As far as the rule of law goes, it is already undermined in China.

[Datajack Franit]

he state is supposed to play parent? I think that's the reason all these kids play games so much, because of the lack of freedom in other respects of their lives.

Sure, you get fat, pc-addicted teenage dirt because there is no personal freedom!

[:) Smiley]

Originally posted by Sprayber
I'm not understanding the point of having a law that goes unenforced or is enforced only on certain occasions. You end up undermining the rule of law if they are only meant for show.

There's no rule of law there to begin with to undermine.

[Kuciwalker]

Incorrect.

[:) Smiley]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Incorrect.

There's a difference between rule of law and rule by force. A rather large one.

[Kuciwalker]

Wow, that picture matches well with my sig