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Puny Boy Follow Hulk!
May 4th 2002, 13:57 CEST by m0nty Amongst all the claims that violence in games begets real life violence, given fresh impetus by the Erfurt killings, it is refreshing to note that one American author is arguing on the side of the media. Killing Monsters - Why Children Need Fantasy, Super Heroes, and Make-Believe Violence is by Gerard Jones, a San Francisco-based "cultural critic", comic book author and historian, Pokemon translator, and all-American defender of the oppressed gaming masses. This excerpt from his book details his escape from a life of small-town mediocrity by a student in his mother's English class, whose passionately-written essay on Marvel Comics encouraged her to give comics to her lonely and disenfranchised son. My mother borrowed some, thinking they'd be good for me. And so they were. But not because they preached lofty messages of benevolence. They were good for me because they were juvenile. And violent. The character who caught me, and freed me, was the Hulk : overgendered and undersocialized, half-naked and half-witted, raging against a frightened world that misunderstood and persecuted him. Suddenly I had a fantasy self to carry my stifled rage and buried desire for power. I had a fantasy self who was a self: unafraid of his desires and the world's disapproval, unhesitating and effective in action. "Puny boy follow Hulk!" roared my fantasy self, and I followed. His argument, which he has espoused in many media appearances (on NPR, local papers, tech sites, comic fanzines and where I read about it today, in the Melbourne Age), is that violence in video games and other media has an inoculatory effect, allowing people who are experiencing rage (whatever its cause) to exercise it, and thus exorcise it. His argument is further detailed in the excerpt: go read it. So, is this guy the Great White Hope for gamers everywhere who don't want to see their games censored and slashed beyond all sense of realism or fun? Is his thesis that violence is sometimes healthy correct, or are we kidding ourselves? Can his arguments combat the well-researched studies into the violence, sexism and racism inherent in games like this one? Why can't I stop dreaming about that damn briefcase in the Soldier of Fortune 2 multiplayer test? Whose side are you on? |
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Topic: Puny Boy Follow Hulk!
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So exactly HOW violent are today's kids? The last time I checked DoJ stats on it youth violence has gone down since the mid 80s. Most of the studies that get news take numbers from schools (suspensions and the like). The problem, and likly reason the numbers keep going up, is each time something happens we get more sensitive to the idea of violence and start counting things that didn't count before. Pushing someone once lead to a nice talking to from the principal, now that'll get you suspended for fighting. Well that and if the numbers don't match what you want to say there is always those nice "estimated unreported acts" (usualy they are listed separately and as estimates but news agencies rarely ever bother with any thing other then the total) |
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Seems as if Marvel is raking in the cash with three features (Spidey, Hulk and Daredevil), as well as the new fall shows based on these properties. I think it's great. I love comic book movies.. Can't wait to see Spidey in action. Note: I heard Toby McGuire is a Vegan and had a hard time getting into shape to play the role of muscle bound teen Peter Parker. Poor kid.. I'm sure they'll make it up to him somehow. :) <a href=https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=sgt_hulka%40yahoo.com&item_name=Team+Evolve+Support+Foundation>Please consider donating</a> to the Team Evolve Support Foundation - Any and All Donations Are Appreciated
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As far as school shootings go - I read an article in (I believe) the NYT several months ago that declared that murders at school were down precipitously over the last several years... that the year of Columbine was the lowest on record total of murders in school since statistics on such things were available. The reason it's become such a big issue is because the killings now are mass killings by "disaffected youth" (meaning white kids from middle class homes) instead of inner-city minorities killing each other one at a time. "Any game you play features a big penis. Nuff said." -Neale
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Wow.. I pulled a Derek Smart [/urk! on that last post.. Let me try again. And yes, we're seriously looking for donations. We're having a problem with a past member and need some legal assistance, and need some cash! Please consider donating to the Team Evolve Support Foundation - Any and All Donations Are Appreciated
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Seems as if Marvel is raking in the cash with three features (Spidey, Hulk and Daredevil), as well as the new fall shows based on these properties. I think it's great. I love comic book movies.. Can't wait to see Spidey in action. This weeks entertainment weekly has a cover story "Can Superheroes Save Hollywood, basically saying Marvel, DC, etc. have all these great characters and stories and hollywood is so desperate they are going to make movies of every one of them. I saw Spider Man today, and I'm betting there is already a sequel planned. The ending practically begs for one. And Tobey Maguire has got to be the most boring guy that can stick to walls and shoot thread out of his wrist. He didn't get an excited expression even once. I still loved it though. I think they are finally doing comic book movies right. love is good, butter brings on the love...
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he was perfect for Peter Parker because he was so mellow. Peter was the classic wallflower, after all. I believe I can fly......urk.
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I believe that Spider-man was always planned to be a trilogy of movies. I certainly hope we'll get Venom in one of them, but my hopes aren't too high yet. They're cute, they're cuddly and jam shoots out their heads. I want 'em all!
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Also, Tobey Maguire had the best geeky reactions to being around a girl ever and that makes up for not being excited. And grinning while Uncle Ben was dying. They're cute, they're cuddly and jam shoots out their heads. I want 'em all!
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I dunno, did you catch the name dropping of Eddie LeBrock and Dr. Connors? Venom and Lizard. Though really, one of those movies needs to have the sinister six. Spidey is at his best when the odds are way against him. I believe I can fly......urk.
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Considering what an old nag the guy was, can you blame him? The good lord gave me a mind, but the devil taught me how to use it.
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Name dropping can be a clue at what's coming or it can be a nod to what they aren't going to use. I just refuse to get my hopes up because the movie was better than I expected and I want to look forward to the others without having that looking forward caught up in a character that might not be involved. Look at me, I can type run-on sentences! They're cute, they're cuddly and jam shoots out their heads. I want 'em all!
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I have to admit I got a little fanboy thrill when Peter mentioned (no spoiling) who he worked for briefly. |
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Jonah Jameson? The good lord gave me a mind, but the devil taught me how to use it.
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No. The person was never seen onscreen, and Peter got fired from the job. It's just a little geeky fanboy thing. |
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Oh weird, the page didn't update the latest posts..oh well, it's already been spoiled, yeah, the mention of Dr. Connors/The Lizard was cool |
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Its been around, but what did you guys/gals think of the X-Men film? The butter religion will spread nicely.
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I thought it was reasonably solid. They managed to pull off Wolverine which was the toughest bit I think. Considering the attention she's gotten lately, and the acting chops she evidently has under the right circumstances, I wonder if Storm will come off better the next time around. |
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Hm..insert the words "Halle Berry" in the previous post somehwere. It'll help. |
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I have to agree about Wolverine. I was expecting something lame, but they did that character well. The crack about yellow spandex was well done too. WoT?
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Aside from needing to put on about 30lbs of muscle, yeah, Wolverine was pretty much spot on. Halle Berry... well, I don't think it was good casting to put someone in the role of a main character who self-professedly thought the idea for the movie was "stupid". Small wonder she did such a lousy job. Overall, X-men was an alright flick, but I've never really felt the urge to watch it again. The world loves a bastard.
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I don't feel the urge to watch it for the first time at all. "Exit, pursued by a [space] bear." - W. Shakespeare
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Also, Tobey Maguire had the best geeky reactions to being around a girl ever and that makes up for not being excited. True, his ummm desperateness (maybe a word?) was perfect. After very few good comic book movies, I feel like hollywood is on a roll with X-men and Spider Man. Even Blade 2 wasn't awful. love is good, butter brings on the love...
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You got an extra n't in that last sentence. The world loves a bastard.
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jjohnsen I saw Spider Man today, and I'm betting there is already a sequel planned. I believe all of the major actors have been signed up for 3 films, as Foodbunny already noted, but due to the estimated sales numbers the second movie is being fasttracked. As for the sequel, some of the name dropping was a preview, because in an interview Dunst let slip that the early plots for the next film will have 2 villans, Dr. Ock and the Lizard. Funk. /I saw the film today as well, and the retired fan boy comic geek I buried gushed back the surface. I spent the rest of the day beating it into submission. |
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Now see, I thought Halle Barry did a pretty good Storm, when compared to that of the early / mid 90s Storm. As well as that of the X-Men cartoon of about the same timeframe. The butter religion will spread nicely.
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#34 by Bailey You got an extra n't in that last sentence. Amen. "that fatty crocodile! what a glutton!"
- Kayin |
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And here I was earlier today hoping they wouldn't take Doc Ock to the big screen in any of the future movies. Oi gevalt. The world loves a bastard.
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hey, Blade 2 was fun. brainless, and way over the top, but hell i wasn't there to see a revision of The Accidental Tourist with vampires. total popcorn flick. whee! just... weary.
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crash I agree! Blade 2 was cool once you got past the kid talking ("Yo, yo B , what up!?"). The action scenes were awesome ... WoT?
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Bailey And here I was earlier today hoping they wouldn't take Doc Ock to the big screen in any of the future movies. Why not? He's one of the historical Spider-enemies, and the visual effect of the arms would be great. Funk. |
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He's also Roy Orbison in spandex. |
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Portly men in their 50s have no need to wear green and orange. Doubly so if they have a bowl cut. Marketing is a crutch for mediocrity and a handicap to excellence.
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Just as an aside, Doc Ock was in the orginal script for this movie. One of the smartest decisions in recent movie history was to remove the character. He would have ruined the movie. AF He's also Roy Orbison in spandex. Ok, well if you put it that way. Funk. |
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Spider Man has a vast array of cheesy 70's villains to cringe at the thought of trying to update...Vulture, Kraven the Hunter, Scorpion...maybe with modern FX and an updated costume Electro could work... |
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You could update the look of Doc Ock...new haircut, new costume..they changed the look of the X-Men and the Goblin heavily and it turned out okay. |
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Wasn't Electro the one with the 60's dinette set clock for a face mask? The world loves a bastard.
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Yeah, all of Spidey's classic enemies look goofy. |
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Bailey Here's [url=http://www.samruby.com/Villains/Electro/electro.htm]Electro for you. Marvel in the 60's were responsible for some horrible costume design. But somehow, they've moved from bad to classic. Funk. |
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...Vulture, Kraven the Hunter The latest issue of Spider-Man's Tangled Web focuses on Kraven, Vulture, and a mystery man at a super villains bar bitching about how Spidey ruined their week. It's hilarious. Vulture all pissed off that he can't get a date, Kraven bragging about all the women he's had... comedy gold. i like monkeys. are you a monkey?
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Or even Electro Funk |
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Spider-Man's Tangled Web #13 i like monkeys. are you a monkey?
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I just want to see Venom in action. |
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As long as they leave out Carnage. That guy always came across as some bland attempt at extending the Venom hoopla. The world loves a bastard.
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Everything Spidey was fine and dandy until they turned the comic into "Days of our lives" and Spidey into Angstman. - Oh no, aunt May, don't die on me! Waaah! - Oh no, Mary Jane, don't leave me! Waaah! - Oh no, Doc Ock, don't hit me!! Waaah! "that fatty crocodile! what a glutton!"
- Kayin |
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money on that they have to get Ahnuld in if they want Doc Oc Ds Never argue with an idiot, theyll drag you down onto their level, then beat you with experience.
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Martin Err... Spider-Man was always like that. Aunt May would have a heart attack every third issue. His first love of his life died. Not too long after his second replacement father did. And did I mention that replacement father was the father of his first love (Captain Stacy, and Gwen). It was always this way. Unless you were reading the Spidey comics based on the Spidey character from the Electric Company. Funk. |
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violence in video games and other media has an inoculatory effect, allowing people who are experiencing rage (whatever its cause) to exercise it, and thus exorcise it. Duke3d = Rage 18 Doom3 = Rage 16 C&C = Parental Guidance The Sims = Any Rage Kids, don't forget to watch for the rage levels, you don't want to be cought by your parents playing under-raged! (And don't forget to the following items on your list: Napkins, Whips, Handcuffs, Chains, Leather Pants...) |
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Funkdrunk: Hmmm... I remember it getting worse and worse over time. It was a very long time ago since I read it though. "that fatty crocodile! what a glutton!"
- Kayin |
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I like how Aunt May had a really wrinkly face but had silky smooth sexy legs. I remember first noticing this in an issue where Dr Octopus kidnapped and tried to marry Aunt May. They're cute, they're cuddly and jam shoots out their heads. I want 'em all!
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Hello? Am I the only crapper alive? "that fatty crocodile! what a glutton!"
- Kayin |
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