On Closer Examination
- Stuart Ramsay
- Nick Rosier
- Matt Clark
- Will Johnson
- JD
Are Computer Games And Violence Related?
Thursday, October 12, 2006
By Matt Clark, Technology Editor
Is there a link between computer games and violence? This is a question that has been asked many times by leading scientists, headteachers and parents. Let's look at the arguments for either side:
"There Is A Link"
With an increase in technology, computer games are evolving faster and faster all the time. With each new year comes faster and more powerful consoles, and with these, games to match. Game graphics are becoming more and more lifelike (for example the Gran Turismo racing series) and the graphics engines used to model particles in the game are getting rediculously close to real life. This is leading to a more realistic gaming "portal" for the player to enter whenever he/she turns on the console/computer, making the player believe that he/she is actually playing inside the game.
This eventually leads to an addiction of the game, and the player becomes hostile when away from playing, displaying such withdrawal symptoms as not eating properly, not socialising as much as normal, and having irregular sleep patterns. With long terms away from the game, the player becomes hostile towards other people, and shows an increased level of violence. This is considered a threat to society and the individuals health, as well as that of others.
"There Isn't A Link"
It must be taken into consideration that if any games lead to an increased level of violence, that it is mainly games with a violent aspect in them (for example the Grand Theft Auto series).
Research has suggested that gaming increases the players reflexes and ability to cope with stress and hostile situations. It also allows them to formulate a tactical plan and carry it out. Currently, the US army is using large multiplayer games to train their soldiers on, for them to improve on their teamwork and to increase their skills when under pressure. This saves them wasting money on practise firing exercises; however playing a game isn't the same is being out "in the field" holding a real gun and shooting someone.
In my opinion, I don't think that gaming increases violence, but young children are being introduced to violent games too early in their lives. A sudden increase in the amount of violence they experience at a critical point in their life could prove to change their character in their later life.
The Labour Party Handover Fiasco
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
So, Tony Blair really messed up Question Time...David Cameron confronted him over his support for Gordon Brown...and Tony Blair stalled for as long as he could, giving, as usual, answers about education, healthcare, and foreign policy.
Naturally, Cameron asked him again, and Blair stalled, although by this time the front bench were looking rather worried...and Tony Blair out of nervousness even reiterated his pledge (and I don't know how this related to the question) to deport foreign secretaries (meaning prisoners).
Now, Gordon Brown has made it very clear that he will run for prime minister...and giving his speeches on Britishness and the like, he wants it badly.
John Prescott, amusingly, on Andrew Marr's Sunday AM, said in reply to "Will you support Gordon Brown", that he thought he would be a strong candidate, but there would be others, and in the favourite Labour party phrase, wanted an "honest and open debate" (or words to that effect, mainly in the wrong order...). When asked again, citing his previous pledge of Brownite support, he replied, "Yes and I won't support anyone else". Surely it would have been easier to say that the first time?
So, Tony in tatters after Cameron's relentless (not) questioning...Prescott in a mix-up and Gordon Brown, sitting quietly, waiting to take that centre seat two swords away from Mr Cameron...
Selected Entries from the Devil's Dictionary
Not strictly politics though I could argue a major part of politics is satire...
Stay (v) – To ignore the fact that you are no longer welcome
Staying power (n) – The cornerstone of job security in the public sector
Steam bath (n) – The paradoxical invention based on the belief that after sport, the odour of ones perspiration can be cleared by the induction of further perspiration
The forerunner to the electric iron. An iron that heats up water such that clothes can become pressed due to the application of steam to their surface.
Steel band (n) – A group of musicians using instruments (mainly percussion) made of steel, forged as to produce particular notes. Many visitors to the Caribbean have asked for refunds on the grounds that a steel band should be entirely comprised of steel. Once again, a logical counter-argument has been proposed, that a rock band need not necessarily be made of rock.
A Two-Tier Education System
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Two-tier: Grammar and Comprehensive. We'll leave private schools out of the argument for the moment.
Let's have a look at the arguments for a two-tier education system:
- Comprehensive schools are mixed-ability and the sheer range does not allow good teaching as the current rules stand regarding discipline.
- Grammar schools allow the very best pupils to get high quality, high level teaching more ably than a comprehensive
- Comprehensive schools do not allow teachers to stretch the able pupils nor allow the low ability pupils to become better except at the expense of those "in the middle"
- Removing the two-tier education system i.e. eradicating grammar schools does not allow the parents to choose which would be best for their child, particularly if their child is bright
- Removing grammar schools forces a common education system for all, it makes no difference to those in comprehensive schools if grammar schools exist
- Comprehensive schools encourage pupils to recognise there are a wide range of abilities and respect that
- Grammar schools are elitist and pass on this elitism to their students
- Comprehensive schools can produce good results and allow the best pupils to reach their potential
- Intelligent pupils are not necessarily disciplined ones
- Comprehensive schools would work if good quality discipline and teaching was consistently applied
- Grammar schools are unnatural as in the working world one has to work with many different types of people
About the Columnists: JD
JD is current studying Classical Civilisation, English Literature, Philosophy and Ethics and History. He aspires to one day be curator of the British Museum, and takes a personal interest in historical matters.
He enjoys films and literature, and promises to be a valuable member of the team.
JD is of a fashionable height and values his anonymity
Specialisms: History, international
Two Million Air Miles will Buy you a Ticket into Space
By Matt Clark, Technology Editor
Sir Richard Branson, original founder of the Virgin enterprise, has announced that Virgin Galactic, his forthcoming Space Travel commercial transport service, will be taking two pilots and six passengers into the Earth's upper atmosphere at the end of next year, with regular flights from Virgin's five rocket-powered vehicles beginning as soon as 2009.
Almost 200 people have signed up for the first commercial flights, which will include three days of training before a two-and-a-half hour flight, reaching up to 3000mph at an altitude of 90 miles.
The $200 000 (£107 000) sub-orbital flight will allow passengers a clear view of the Earth's curvature, and the thinness of the atmosphere. Sir Richard hopes this experience will convince people to become more environmentally-friendly.
He has also announced that SpaceShipTwo will have nearly zero corbon dioxide emissions, compared to today's NASA rockets, which could power the whole of New York with the fuel they burn when taking off.
The extravagancy of this idea has also lead to many claims that is "unsafe", with certain insurance companies introducing "Two-and-a-half Hour Life Insurance Plans".
Did I Mention?
Saturday, September 30, 2006
We need a name!
...Ideas are very welcome from all...
The Current Labour Party: A Summary
By Stuart Ramsay, Political Editor (that sounds so good!)
Much as the title sounds boring, the Labour Party are of course the current ruling party, and are probably one of the largest sources of press speculation at the moment, mainly because their of conference in Manchester (which finished two days ago). Let's look at what's speculation, and what's fact:
1) Tony Blair will be going before Christmas. This is speculation, he will be going before the next party conference, so there will be a new Labour leader before this time next year. Although, it is possible that Blair will be forced to stand down before then: let's face it, it is difficult to retain control over a party when you've said far in advance that you will leave. It's arguably easier if you said you were leaving just one day, and let the party have an open election as soon as possible.
2) Gordon Brown will be the next Prime Minister. More speculation. The party has to have a leadership election the same as the Tories did to get from Howard to Cameron, and the Lib Dems to get from Kennedy to Campbell. However, if nobody stands against Gordon Brown, he will be the next Prime Minister. This, again, however, is unlikely: the the party is searching for an "ABG" candidate, "Anyone but Gordon", and the contenders are suggested as John Reid (current home secretary) and Alan Milburn (current education secretary, who recently announced the scrapping of GCSE Mathematics coursework, much to the delight of the NUT) Correction: Alan Johnson is education secretary
3) Cherie Blair called Gordon Brown a liar. Probably the most speculated-over statement. Cherie Blair denies the allegations, but the original journalist, who works for Bloomberg, a respected press agency, refuses to retract. It is possibly understandable that Cherie Blair might consider the relationship between Tony and Gordon as one that either of them would describe as a privilege, but who knows what goes on in No 10. Tony diffused the scandal by joking in his speech, "at least I don't have to worry about her running off with the bloke next door".
4) Tony Blair's speech left the party in amazement. Probably true for most of the party; many members considered his speech was passionate, professional and well-delivered. Indeed, some wondered why he had to leave. Then they remembered everything else that had happened :-P (sorry, I couldn't resist)
5) Tony Blair has a list of 30 policies he wants to enact before he leaves. Speculation, but it was revealed by a senior civil servant. On one hand, it makes his remaining time in office more focussed, but it might be unrealistic or considered a final pathetic act to get some policies through, although knowing much of it could be changed back as soon as he was out of office.
The Labour party is waiting now for Tony to step down; and the mounting tension to find somebody to stand against Gordon Brown is possibly overshadowing the business of policy-making. Nobody can quite be sure how it will end up.
About the Columnists: Matt Clark
Friday, September 29, 2006
Matt is currently studying Further Maths, Physics, Art and Psychology in the VI Form. He has his own logo designing website (currently under construction) and is an avid player of cricket and badminton.
Specialisms: Art, technology
About the Columnists: Nick Rosier
Nick Rosier is the original creator, designer and programmer of Darkest Times.
In academia, he is studying art, maths, dt and physics. He enjoys playing the piano and being french.
Specialisms: Art, architecture, music
About the Columnists: Stuart Ramsay
Stuart is an avid blogger, having first set up Serrated Edge, before becoming the founding editor of student-view. He is current studying for A-Levels in Economics, English Literature, ICT and Philosophy and ethics.
He enjoys playing the piano and is a freelance web designer.
Specialisms: Philosophy, politics, economics, religion
Welcome
Thursday, September 28, 2006
A new, fresh blog: a serious attempt to distill the subjects of Technology, Politics, Music and History/International into a well-edited collection of posts...
Current members include;
Stuart Ramsay (Political Editor)
Matthew Clark (Tech editor)
Nick Rosier (Music editor)
JD (History & World Editor)