Should it be possible to ban violent video games?

[John Dibble]

No, I don't think it does; new technology such as video games isn't convered under the first amendment...

That's a rather stunning conclusion. So governments can censor movies, CDs, the Internet, and books published in fonts that were not available in the eighteenth century?

Movies, yes; I'd say CD's and the internet are more of an extension of recorded speech than anything else.

I believe this forum is protected under the first amendment, as it bascially is interactive text.

Movies are just speech with pictures.

[© tweed]

No, I don't think it does; new technology such as video games isn't convered under the first amendment...

That's a rather stunning conclusion. So governments can censor movies, CDs, the Internet, and books published in fonts that were not available in the eighteenth century?

Movies, yes; I'd say CD's and the internet are more of an extension of recorded speech than anything else.

I believe this forum is protected under the first amendment, as it bascially is interactive text.

Movies are just speech with pictures.

It's based on interpretation.  See, speech can't evolve all that much; it is what it is.

[Emsworth]

It is questionable whether a video game is speech. A video game is no more inherently expressive than, for example, a privately-run lottery (which is also banned in several states).

However, it is one thing to ban the sale of video games, and another to regulate their content. The latter raises serious First Amendment questions.

[Bono]

No, I don't think it does; new technology such as video games isn't convered under the first amendment...

That's a rather stunning conclusion. So governments can censor movies, CDs, the Internet, and books published in fonts that were not available in the eighteenth century?

Movies, yes; I'd say CD's and the internet are more of an extension of recorded speech than anything else.

I believe this forum is protected under the first amendment, as it bascially is interactive text.

Semi-auto weapons are just an extention of flint-lock muskets.

[© tweed]

I'm going to say I'm wrong about saying movies aren't free speech.

I still don't believe video games are speech.

[Gabu]

Yes.  All violent video games and video games with sexual content should be banned completely.

They are offensive and degrading, and they serve no useful, worthwhile, or meaningful purpose.

That's a rather subjective opinion to force on everyone in an entire country.  Would you approve of me banning whatever you enjoy because I think that it serves no useful, worthwhile, or meaningful purpose?

[MODU]

No, but stores should not be harassed by video game producers for refusing to sell particular titles.

[Lincoln Republican]

Yes.  All violent video games and video games with sexual content should be banned completely.

They are offensive and degrading, and they serve no useful, worthwhile, or meaningful purpose.

Fascist.

Subversive