Meathead's World

Video Game to Blame for Dawson College Shootings?

The recent shootings at Dawson College in Montreal are a stark reminder that all is not well in the world. This incident has made me realise how vulnerable and fragile the human body really is and how precious life is. It has also made me think about why something like this happens. And for those of you that are involved directly in the Dawson College shootings, I want to apologise in advnace for what I am going to write here if it does offend any of you. Offending people is NOT my intention with this blog post, it is to examine what happened, and more importantly WHY this happened.

The media has this strange desire to blame everything and everyone but the responsible parties in this mass shootings and murder case. Kimveer Gill was a loner, yes. Kimveer Gill was a "vampire", yes. Kimveer Gill was a member of a rifle club, yes. Kimveer Gill played video games, yes. Kimveer Gill was potentially mentally unstable, yes.

Was a video game to blame for this event?
The media seems to think so, blaming a video game called Super Columbine Massacre for his actions.

While it is the quick and easy thing to do: blame video games, blame his style of clothing, blame his beliefs, it is not always right, and that it what really gets to me.

We have an individual who, for all intents and purposes, went haywire and shot up his school, and for the media it's as simple as "Oh, well, he played this video game, and he was a "vampire" and he dressed funny, so that must be what did it." There is no examination of his past, no examination of home life, sexual history, family history, nothing. Just anonymous posts on a website called vampirefreaks.com and the media goes "Yes! That MUST be it!"

What we need to examine are the reasons WHY he played the video games he did. WHY he thought the way he did. WHY his parents didn't do anything to help him (if they did try, then I laud them, unfortunately some people just cannot be helped).

Video games and websites don't MAKE you do anything. I have yet to see a video game hold my parrot hostage for more playing time in the PS2. I have never seen a Nintendo DS take change out of my wallet for smokes. I have yet to see a GameCube frog-march someone to the store to pick up more ammo for a 12-guage.

A video game can't MAKE you do anything.

The predisposition to violence must have been there before Kamveer Gill picked up his rifle. By necessity it MUST have been there. I like games just as much as the next person (OK, I game on an N64 but still) and I play first-person shooter games, but I have never had the urge to pick up a rifle and go plinking at University. I was a goth. I don't dress like a Goth, but being a Goth isn't the clothing, as the media will insist. Goth is a mind set, a set of beliefs, and an appreciation for the stately and beautiful. It is NOT a fascination with death, killing and the dead as the media seems to think.

What made Kamveer Gill do what he did?

I am calling on all media outlets to seriously examine what he has done isntead of looking for the quick and easy out.