Posted Mar 11, 2009 at 06:13PM by Karl B.
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If Richard Taylor could have his way, gamers in the UK could be facing a heavy increase in the price of violent video games. See, Mr. Taylor is the guy who advises UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown on knife crime, and he thinks that the PM should levy a "very high" tax on violent video games in order to cut the number of knife crimes. "I have young people who I mentor and I see them go up and buy the games and it saddens me that they are being able to have such a negative impact," said Mr. Taylor, who thinks that violent video games are "too cheap". Hmm. And here I was under the impression that game prices these days have become astronomic. In the US, legislators in Pennsylvania have also entertained the idea of a 5% violent video game tax, but there has been some concern that it would be problematic in a legal sense. If he's really gung-ho on reducing knife crime, I personally don't think levying high taxes on violent video games is a solution. Look at cigarettes. One study has concluded that taxation can indeed help reduce tobacco consumption, but it also leads to a dramatic increase in illegal street sales of untaxed cigarettes. Now, we all know how open-minded the video game industry is about piracy, don't we? Now, I understand why the guy wants to get rid of knife crime (his 10-year-old son was a victim of such an incident) but it seems like he's just trying too hard to hold on to any scapegoat he can find instead of looking at more concrete solutions. Then again, it's way easier to just jump on the bandwagon and point fingers at this generation's official scapegoat. He also has too much of an emotional attachment to the issue, which brings up the interesting question of why he was appointed to the position in the first place. Man's not going to be subjective, people. Mr. Taylor also mentioned that a lot of rap music, especially those coming from America, is full of negative content. "It is creating more of a problem because of the language that is used," he said. "It is language that, as a father, I would not allow my children to hear." Related articles:
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11 Jumps
Reach won't be the last for Halo?
26 Comments
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by m3rox - 2009-03-11 |
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» .
Yes, because the gaming industry needs more people to start pirating games.
Yes, because the gaming industry needs more people to start pirating games.
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by M-Lin - 2009-03-11 |
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» Respect
Mr Taylor's 10 year old son bled to death in an alley after being stabbed in the leg. I'm not sure if he should be advising the prime minister on violence in games, but I am sure that the author of this post should show more respect when voicing his opinions. Just my opinion.
Mr Taylor's 10 year old son bled to death in an alley after being stabbed in the leg. I'm not sure if he should be advising the prime minister on violence in games, but I am sure that the author of this post should show more respect when voicing his opinions. Just my opinion.
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Re: Karl B. (QJ. NET Staff) - 2009-03-11 |
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» Respect
Would you mind pointing out to me the instances where I disrespected Mr. Taylor or his kid?
Would you mind pointing out to me the instances where I disrespected Mr. Taylor or his kid?
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by Justingraziano - 2009-03-11 |
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» ...
"I have young people who I mentor and I see them go up and buy the games and it saddens me that they are being able to have such a negative impact,"
But they dont have a negative impact on adults at all? What about seniors? Surely video games have a negative impact on senior citizens (and yes some seniors do play them). But of course you dont mention them now do you, just the young ones. Go *****ing die you ageist piece of british *****.
"I have young people who I mentor and I see them go up and buy the games and it saddens me that they are being able to have such a negative impact,"
But they dont have a negative impact on adults at all? What about seniors? Surely video games have a negative impact on senior citizens (and yes some seniors do play them). But of course you dont mention them now do you, just the young ones. Go *****ing die you ageist piece of british *****.
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by Orlyeh - 2009-03-11 |
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» Karl B.
Maybe you don't get just how much scapegoating goes in the UK? Thugs run the streets of London because there's no fear of retribution. Violent crime has seen a huge jump since they effectively banned gun ownership.
Defend yourself against a burglar or attacker? Get arrested and face stiff sentences.
Maybe you don't get just how much scapegoating goes in the UK? Thugs run the streets of London because there's no fear of retribution. Violent crime has seen a huge jump since they effectively banned gun ownership.
Defend yourself against a burglar or attacker? Get arrested and face stiff sentences.
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Re: Karl B. (QJ. NET Staff) - 2009-03-11 |
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» Retribution
That's what I mean when I say they should look towards more concrete measures. How would heavy taxation on video games affect these thugs? Do they think of it as some form of retribution that I just don't get?
Now if the government actually try and fix problems like the one you mentioned ("Defend yourself against a burglar or attacker? Get arrested and face stiff sentences." - which by the way is totally F-ed up), then maybe crime would indeed be reduced.
That's what I mean when I say they should look towards more concrete measures. How would heavy taxation on video games affect these thugs? Do they think of it as some form of retribution that I just don't get?
Now if the government actually try and fix problems like the one you mentioned ("Defend yourself against a burglar or attacker? Get arrested and face stiff sentences." - which by the way is totally F-ed up), then maybe crime would indeed be reduced.
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Re: ajnauron - 2009-03-11 |
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» Since when did this site become a place of political debate?
Less politics, more pspupdates, please. We have other sites for politics.
Less politics, more pspupdates, please. We have other sites for politics.
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Re: Musev - 2009-03-12 |
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» ...
"Violent crime has seen a huge jump since they effectively banned gun ownership."
Thats got nothing to do with guns..
"Violent crime has seen a huge jump since they effectively banned gun ownership."
Thats got nothing to do with guns..
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Re: Alienhideout - 2009-03-13 |
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» Orlyeh, My thoughts exactly...
When you disarm law abiding citizens, criminals know they have easy targets. Musev, it has everything to do with guns. If an attacker suspects he may be shot he will probably avoid confronting you. ajnauron everyone has the natural God given right to defend themselves and their family and property by any means necessary. Guns just happen to be the best means available. There is nothing political about it. And if you don't believe in God, you still have the right to defend yourself.
When you disarm law abiding citizens, criminals know they have easy targets. Musev, it has everything to do with guns. If an attacker suspects he may be shot he will probably avoid confronting you. ajnauron everyone has the natural God given right to defend themselves and their family and property by any means necessary. Guns just happen to be the best means available. There is nothing political about it. And if you don't believe in God, you still have the right to defend yourself.
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Re: Xastabus - 2009-03-17 |
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» ...
ajnauron, politics became inextricably linked with games when politicians decided to start having public opinions about them and making attempts to regulate them in illegal ways. Therefore, any site that delivers gaming news and allows user comments is by default a forum for political debate.
And on the main subject... Laws, no matter how well intentioned, need to be developed and administered intelligently. Laws that further victimize the victim by making one defenseless against an assailant doesn't reduce crime, it promotes crime. Taxing "violent video games" doesn't reduce knifing incidents, it promotes piracy. Furthermore, how does one define violence? Mario has murdered billions of living mushroom people by stomping on their heads, should we levy an increased tax on Mario games to prevent fungicide and or copycat crimes against humans?
I'm not joking here, think about this seriously because there are people who belive no form of violence of any kind has any place in video games because "video games are for kids."
ajnauron, politics became inextricably linked with games when politicians decided to start having public opinions about them and making attempts to regulate them in illegal ways. Therefore, any site that delivers gaming news and allows user comments is by default a forum for political debate.
And on the main subject... Laws, no matter how well intentioned, need to be developed and administered intelligently. Laws that further victimize the victim by making one defenseless against an assailant doesn't reduce crime, it promotes crime. Taxing "violent video games" doesn't reduce knifing incidents, it promotes piracy. Furthermore, how does one define violence? Mario has murdered billions of living mushroom people by stomping on their heads, should we levy an increased tax on Mario games to prevent fungicide and or copycat crimes against humans?
I'm not joking here, think about this seriously because there are people who belive no form of violence of any kind has any place in video games because "video games are for kids."
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by BloodMachine - 2009-03-11 |
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» Idiocy
If they did that in my country, I'd stab more people. Trust me. Like video games are the cause of all problems. How about movies that cost a tenth of most games? Eh? Movies that aren't CGI, that more accurately portray violence? People love blaming video games don't they.
If they did that in my country, I'd stab more people. Trust me. Like video games are the cause of all problems. How about movies that cost a tenth of most games? Eh? Movies that aren't CGI, that more accurately portray violence? People love blaming video games don't they.
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Re: ajnauron - 2009-03-11 |
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» exactly
People are always looking for a quick and easy scapegoat.
People are always looking for a quick and easy scapegoat.
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Re: Shatterdome - 2009-03-11 |
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» Yeah....
I hate it....why are movies never mentioned.
I suppose it's because you are not "pretending" to be the person doing the violence....but really, if you get in to a movie the whole idea is to assume the state of mind of all the people in the movie in order to get the best thrill....including the killers.
This is just stupid, too many studies have shown it does not increase violence and none have shown that it increases it.
Just a dumb way to give the gov more money. Violent games are the most popular....let's tax them, than play it off like we are trying to do a service to the people....
fawk you....
I hate it....why are movies never mentioned.
I suppose it's because you are not "pretending" to be the person doing the violence....but really, if you get in to a movie the whole idea is to assume the state of mind of all the people in the movie in order to get the best thrill....including the killers.
This is just stupid, too many studies have shown it does not increase violence and none have shown that it increases it.
Just a dumb way to give the gov more money. Violent games are the most popular....let's tax them, than play it off like we are trying to do a service to the people....
fawk you....
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by Relys - 2009-03-11 |
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» LOLWUT
That has to be the dumbest, most self centered thing I've ever heard.
That isn't going to reduce anything, it will just be giving the government more money.
That has to be the dumbest, most self centered thing I've ever heard.
That isn't going to reduce anything, it will just be giving the government more money.
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by akadewboy - 2009-03-11 |
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» I thought it was proven that sin taxes don't work
Sin taxes have been put on alcohol, cigarettes, and other things. I thought there have been studies that found that this does not stop people from buying them. I imagine that it wont stop ANYONE from buying violent games.
Sin taxes have been put on alcohol, cigarettes, and other things. I thought there have been studies that found that this does not stop people from buying them. I imagine that it wont stop ANYONE from buying violent games.
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by fortex - 2009-03-11 |
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» Violent Video Games are good
Not really sure, but, I think violence will increase without violent video games, because, thanks to this type of games, we can do what we can not do in the real life.
Not really sure, but, I think violence will increase without violent video games, because, thanks to this type of games, we can do what we can not do in the real life.
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by lavino - 2009-03-11 |
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» What about very high tax on knife instead?
It was the knives that killed.. not the games.
Ok we can spare the butter knives may be but that *+3 ATK enchanted dagger* that I see in the mall fantacy shop. Is that thing really necessary in real life?
It was the knives that killed.. not the games.
Ok we can spare the butter knives may be but that *+3 ATK enchanted dagger* that I see in the mall fantacy shop. Is that thing really necessary in real life?
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Re: aiman241 - 2009-03-12 |
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» XD
"
It was the knives that killed.. not the games.
Ok we can spare the butter knives may be but that *+3 ATK enchanted dagger* that I see in the mall fantacy shop. Is that thing really necessary in real life? "
super lol
agreed
"
It was the knives that killed.. not the games.
Ok we can spare the butter knives may be but that *+3 ATK enchanted dagger* that I see in the mall fantacy shop. Is that thing really necessary in real life? "
super lol
agreed
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by Serosis - 2009-03-11 |
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» hmm...
"Mr. Taylor also mentioned that a lot of rap music, especially those coming from America, is full of negative content. "It is creating more of a problem because of the language that is used," he said. "It is language that, as a father, I would not allow my children to hear."
I believe this is what you should tax then, because in my mind, Rap is more violent than video games. In fact music in general can be extremely violent, not just Rap as a genre.
He is also right in knowing that most of that sh*t is coming from America, I hate it when teenager "bump" that sh*t when I'm out with my family, makes me want to slit someones throat.
"Mr. Taylor also mentioned that a lot of rap music, especially those coming from America, is full of negative content. "It is creating more of a problem because of the language that is used," he said. "It is language that, as a father, I would not allow my children to hear."
I believe this is what you should tax then, because in my mind, Rap is more violent than video games. In fact music in general can be extremely violent, not just Rap as a genre.
He is also right in knowing that most of that sh*t is coming from America, I hate it when teenager "bump" that sh*t when I'm out with my family, makes me want to slit someones throat.
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by Musev - 2009-03-12 |
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» lol
The tax would only affect the people that arent involved in that *****.
The *****ing knife crime isnt just any kids, its the mostly london kids that are trying to act the way black americans are shown on tv and through rap, FFS they are fighting over postcodes... they are delusional little idiots!
How the hell does making games more expensive change anything?? Does he seriously believe if games didnt exist these little idiots wouldnt be stabbing each other.
The tax would only affect the people that arent involved in that *****.
The *****ing knife crime isnt just any kids, its the mostly london kids that are trying to act the way black americans are shown on tv and through rap, FFS they are fighting over postcodes... they are delusional little idiots!
How the hell does making games more expensive change anything?? Does he seriously believe if games didnt exist these little idiots wouldnt be stabbing each other.
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by InterNutter - 2009-03-12 |
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» this is most dumbest thing i have heard
So a high tax on games then , not films, books, comics, cartoons. I hate the fact it is always the games blamed, no one blames the perents for buying the games for their kids or the shops for selling an 18 rated game to a kids.
I think some people forget that machines like the 360, Wii and ps3 are also played by grown ups aswell and not just kids.
I have been playing games for over 30 years, however i dont feel like going out and stabbing someone. all it needs is education, perents need to know about game ratings, all because it is a Wii game dont think it is a kids game i.e Manhunt 2.
So a high tax on games then , not films, books, comics, cartoons. I hate the fact it is always the games blamed, no one blames the perents for buying the games for their kids or the shops for selling an 18 rated game to a kids.
I think some people forget that machines like the 360, Wii and ps3 are also played by grown ups aswell and not just kids.
I have been playing games for over 30 years, however i dont feel like going out and stabbing someone. all it needs is education, perents need to know about game ratings, all because it is a Wii game dont think it is a kids game i.e Manhunt 2.
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by Mentality - 2009-03-12 |
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» >>
Great make the one thing young people have to do even more expesive, I'm sure that will really resolve the situation. Young people are the way they are because they are angry, and not because a video game told them to do it, this is not what influences them. Movies have been doing what games are doing for much longer, and we don't see the governments blaming the movies now do we.
Great make the one thing young people have to do even more expesive, I'm sure that will really resolve the situation. Young people are the way they are because they are angry, and not because a video game told them to do it, this is not what influences them. Movies have been doing what games are doing for much longer, and we don't see the governments blaming the movies now do we.
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by mysterysword - 2009-03-12 |
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» .
Taxing these games will lower the sales of them. I expect heavy backlash from the video game companies, seeing as how some violent games are among the top-rated.
Anyway, taxing would stop people who are even 17+ from wanting to buy the games as well (especially considering the state of the global economy). Just as how school uniforms won't stop gangs, taking violent things from society won't stop violence.
Taxing these games will lower the sales of them. I expect heavy backlash from the video game companies, seeing as how some violent games are among the top-rated.
Anyway, taxing would stop people who are even 17+ from wanting to buy the games as well (especially considering the state of the global economy). Just as how school uniforms won't stop gangs, taking violent things from society won't stop violence.
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by Acteon - 2009-03-12 |
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» Jesus...
These people don't live in the real world. Knife crime is possible due to the ready availablility of knives and the *****ed up lives of those that carry them - violent videogames are the reflection, not the catalyst.
These people don't live in the real world. Knife crime is possible due to the ready availablility of knives and the *****ed up lives of those that carry them - violent videogames are the reflection, not the catalyst.
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by Aphex85 - 2009-03-13 |
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» (rant time)
Agreed, Taxing computer games will NOT reduce Knife crime in the UK at all! I can only imagin how painful a loss it was for Mr taylor to lose his son in such a pointless way, but attacking computer games and saying there to blaim is like him saying computer games killed his son and not the killer. Is that how we are meant to look at knife crime in the uk and indeed the rest of the world now? What, so is the government going to tell all these people who have lost family and friends "We're so very sorry for your loss, but don't worry. we have found the game that the killer was playing and are now going to sue the companie. all will be fine now", Bull**it!
Movies, Tv programmes, books and other media are Just as bad, if not worse. It's so easy the blaim games than it is to blaim the parents, who should be paying attention too what there kids are up to and guiding them in life. Oh no, instead they sit on there fat arses, letting there kids run a muck and then think to blaim computer games because A: they either don't educate themselves to what there kids play or just don't care but feel a need to blaim games anyway because some twit said so. B: There lazy, stupid, one sighted fools who just because they didn't have this when they were kids but be the root of all todays problems. Well done you clever people! your short sightedness has just F**cked another generation of gamers.
Agreed, Taxing computer games will NOT reduce Knife crime in the UK at all! I can only imagin how painful a loss it was for Mr taylor to lose his son in such a pointless way, but attacking computer games and saying there to blaim is like him saying computer games killed his son and not the killer. Is that how we are meant to look at knife crime in the uk and indeed the rest of the world now? What, so is the government going to tell all these people who have lost family and friends "We're so very sorry for your loss, but don't worry. we have found the game that the killer was playing and are now going to sue the companie. all will be fine now", Bull**it!
Movies, Tv programmes, books and other media are Just as bad, if not worse. It's so easy the blaim games than it is to blaim the parents, who should be paying attention too what there kids are up to and guiding them in life. Oh no, instead they sit on there fat arses, letting there kids run a muck and then think to blaim computer games because A: they either don't educate themselves to what there kids play or just don't care but feel a need to blaim games anyway because some twit said so. B: There lazy, stupid, one sighted fools who just because they didn't have this when they were kids but be the root of all todays problems. Well done you clever people! your short sightedness has just F**cked another generation of gamers.
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by scottishtaz - 2009-03-13 |
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» Tax
They only want to put pathetic tax on things because they are running out of money. Stupid government.
They only want to put pathetic tax on things because they are running out of money. Stupid government.
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