• R18+ Rationality Is Dead (Australian Games Ratting)
    78 replies, posted
[quote]Sadly, there is no such thing as a rational debate when it come to the R18+ issue in Australia. When it comes to R18+ rationality is dead. When someone, in the face of overwhelming evidence, refuses to adjust his or her opinions, you have to ask yourself – is this really a discussion? Or is it something else entirely – something far more insidious. A discussion involves both sides listening to one another, and responding in kind. From what I’ve seen, those on the other side of this ‘discussion’ have done a whole lot of talking, but they clearly haven’t been listening to a word we’ve been saying. How could they be? We’ve been told more public consultation is needed on the issue. How so? We had a public consultation, with 58,437 responses. More than any other public consultation in Australia’s history – overwhelmingly in favour of an R18+ rating. Apparently that wasn’t enough. Game and PALGN tabled a record breaking petition, with 89,210 signatures – more signatures than any petition ever presented in parliament. Still, that wasn’t enough. Then the Federal Government commissioned an independent survey. In said survey, over 80% of Australians claimed they were in support of an R18+ rating for Australia. Nope – still not enough. In the face of this concrete evidence – as concrete as it gets – what gives anyone the right to say that more “public debate” is required? How is this rational? How can we call this a ‘discussion’ or a ‘debate’, if you are not willing to accept the facts and figures placed in front of you? Lyle Shelton of the Australian Christian Lobby claims that ‘academic research’ shows that games are more harmful to children. What academic research? Where is this research? A government literature review of all relevant research has shown that games are no more harmful than any other medium in that regard. All credible research has shown this. All literature reviews on the issue have confirmed this. There are claims that “vested commercial interests” are attempting to force an R18+ rating through with “propaganda”. There is next to no commercial gain here – Australia is a tiny market, and a miniscule amount of games are refused classification. In the grand scheme of things video game publishers couldn’t really care less whether an R18+ rating is passed or not – in fact, before the matter was raised again last December, publishers had informally agreed to stop pushing for one. Why? Because it doesn’t affect their business in any significant way. Today, astonishingly, Robert Clark – the Attorney-General for Victoria – claimed that an R18+ rating would “legalise games with high levels of graphic, frequent and gratuitous violence, including violence against civilians and police”. Is he referring to Grand Theft Auto IV? A video game that can already be purchased in stores under an MA15+ rating? Did he not hear Brendan O’Connor when he said, repeatedly, that games already Refused Classification would not be given a new rating? Does he not understand that 99.9% of these games are already available in this country and, regardless, those that have been refused classification are easily accessible via online piracy or through importation? Have we not already discussed this? Is this not a ‘discussion’? These are the facts, backed by irrefutable evidence. If you make a point, which is subsequently made redundant through evidence, you must abandon that argument. That is simple logic. So why do we continually have to repel the same arguments? How can you call this a discussion? This is not rational. This is something else entirely. This is not a discussion, it’s a process. A process that, in part, justifies the existence of Lobby Groups such as the ACL, a process seized upon by politicians seeking to avoid the broader issues, a process whose primary function is to sustain the position of people who do absolutely nothing of consequence. And the problem with processes are – they tend to repeat themselves. Endlessly. This is not a discussion, this is not a debate – if it was it would have ended years ago, rationally. But this is a process, and rationality is dead.[/quote] [img]http://media.kotaku.com.au/wp//2010/12/ready_v05_no.jpg[/img] [URL=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/04/r18-rationality-is-dead/]Source [/URL]
OP fixed his post.
That red text. It's time for the Federal Government to step and pass amending legislation instead of waiting for the old redundant and time wasting method to never work.
[QUOTE=BigOwl;28983399]Was all the red text so necessary?[/QUOTE] Fixed, was trying to do something else. My apologies.
Good god, what the hell is wrong with the people that run this country? CLEARLY we, the people, have made our voices heard on the matter, have they forgotten that their sole reason for existence is to serve the public will?
Australian games ratting is that rat hunting or something [editline]4th April 2011[/editline] Im either really stupid or that article made no sense :v:
They banned small tits because it is a gateway to pedophilia. And you're surprised by something like this getting passed? lol...
[QUOTE=Richard Simmons;28984973]They banned small tits because it is a gateway to pedophilia. And you're surprised by something like this getting passed? lol...[/QUOTE] How does that work? If a girl has small tits she needs implants? :v:
You know, I like reading articles about stuff like this. It's good to know that America isn't the only country with a fucked-up, incompetent, government.
[QUOTE=gman003-main;28985113]It's good to know that America isn't the only country with a fucked-up, incompetent, government.[/QUOTE] I think almost every country has a fucked-up and incompetent government
[QUOTE=Nifae;28985066]How does that work? If a girl has small tits she needs implants? :v:[/QUOTE] No. She needs to stop taking pictures topless. They're making the general population turn into pedophiles. You're being ludicrous
[QUOTE=gman003-main;28985113]You know, I like reading articles about stuff like this. It's good to know that America isn't the only country with a fucked-up, incompetent, government.[/QUOTE] Germany says hi.
Why don't Australians just buy their games online from New Zealand? We get a lot of games you guys don't and we also get the gore versions too. Though with all those signatures and petitions going on I don't see why the Aussie Government just won't give what you want. Besides if children are playing those R18 games and what not then it's their caregivers/parents fault for letting them have it in the first place.
[QUOTE=gman003-main;28985113]You know, I like reading articles about stuff like this. It's good to know that America isn't the only country with a fucked-up, incompetent, government.[/QUOTE] don't kid yourself mate this is just for games
Pretty hard-hitting article, love it.
Totalitarianism much?
[QUOTE=Roo-kie;28986790]don't kid yourself mate this is just for games[/QUOTE] For video games, the U.S. is surprisingly liberal. Every insane anti video game bill is shot down.
[QUOTE=keatinator;28986637]Why don't Australians just buy their games online from New Zealand? We get a lot of games you guys don't and we also get the gore versions too.[/quote] Because Customs then seizes the game, and the only thing you might get is a fine.
[QUOTE=gman003-main;28985113]You know, I like reading articles about stuff like this. It's good to know that America isn't the only country with a fucked-up, incompetent, government.[/QUOTE] I'm guessing you're American because no one from another country would be so dumb. Leave it to an American to not understand his government in contrast to the rest of the world or just to be a little whiny mo-fo. I'm American by the way, part of the better half however. Our government has flaws but it in contrast to others its far from "fucked up".
[QUOTE=Explosions;28987041]For video games, the U.S. is surprisingly liberal. Every insane anti video game bill is shot down.[/QUOTE] Fortunate for us, we have the 1st amendment. That keeps all the right and left wing moral guardians in check.
[QUOTE=Richard Simmons;28985234]No. She needs to stop taking pictures topless. They're making the general population turn into pedophiles. You're being ludicrous[/QUOTE] I may be homo but small tits on an adult woman do well :frown:
[QUOTE=dogmachines;28987117]Fortunate for us, we have the 1st amendment. That keeps all the right and left wing moral guardians in check.[/QUOTE] it's not fortunate it's the reason america is so fucked
[QUOTE=Roo-kie;28987155]it's not fortunate it's the reason america is so fucked[/QUOTE] Uhh... Care to go into more detail on that one?
Wait so the R18+ is not going to pass? Shouldn't you all be happy or am I reading this sketchily worded article wrong?
[QUOTE=Fables;28987182]Uhh... Care to go into more detail on that one?[/QUOTE] This outta be good. [editline]4th April 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Roo-kie;28987155]it's not fortunate it's the reason america is so fucked[/QUOTE] You're worse than the guy calling America a secular-atheist society dominated by islamic extremists. Its just an extreme statement for shock value with no evidence what so ever.
[QUOTE=Sand;28987196]Wait so the R18+ is not going to pass? Shouldn't you all be happy or am I reading this sketchily worded article wrong?[/QUOTE] Austrailian game ratings only go so high, and R18+ (the equivalent of America's NC-17 or in some cases R ratings) would make it so video games can go as high as they want, with out having to cut things out.
[QUOTE=sonictrey;28987303]Austrailian game ratings only go so high, and R18+ (the equivalent of America's NC-17 or in some cases R ratings) would make it so video games can go as high as they want, with out having to cut things out.[/QUOTE] Ah I see
[QUOTE=Fables;28987182]Uhh... Care to go into more detail on that one?[/QUOTE] it's basically because you think you have something you actually don't
[QUOTE=Roo-kie;28987528]it's basically because you think you have something you actually don't[/QUOTE] That's the detailed version?
Scotland FTW
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