When I was a kid, video games are cool but yeah, some kids just take it to a whole, new level.
Back when I was in college, I stormed out of a computer shop because I can't figure out how to use a ninja rope in Worms: Armageddon.
Yes, Worms: Armageddon.
This game!
I was pissed as hell and seeing the smug face of my friend as I wait for a ride and he already riding a jeepney is just... damning. It's the type of reaction that is almost similar to whenever AJ Styles rage quits a game on Up, Up, Down, Down.
Yes AJ, you do break controllers and I guess trophies and tables, too.
But now for the more serious part of this blog.
There's this post in which a kid threatened to kill a bunch of people in school and the police and school authorities wanted none of it. The police went to a home and tried to arrest the teen and we can see here that the mom is pleading for his son's freedom.
Yes, we can see this as cruel... but in light of the recent shooting sprees in the United States, it's hard to sympathize with the mother.
As a parent, I have seen my child say kill, death, and curse at things as if it's part of his basic conversation. I live in a time when it's not PC to spank a child and grandparents are more hands-on than the parents. I live in a time when Youtube creators peg their content on kids - but at the same time, their games have kill counts.
When I was a kid, there was a time when I couldn't play Contra because it had Rambo-like guys shooting at rebels.
I have been into games all my life and while I am not the best player, I can understand how a winner or a loser behaves. Some guys win well and others lose with dignity and honor. You can't say that to the entire community though. Whether you are a pro or a casual gamer, you have the tendency to carry the ire in the real world.
What's worse though is if you are not psychologically capable of switching from fantasy to reality. Most school shooters have this sort of ideology. Add the fact that America is in chaos at the moment with everything that is happening to them. Yes, Donald Trump's words could have led to the Capitol Hill insurrection but what are they doing with the gas prices? Yes, Saudi Arabia has cruel customs with their critics and women but Filipinos have worked there and they have learned to adapt to their surroundings... and it's not like America isn't the beacon of democracy with all the hate crimes.
I don't want to live in a world where kids aren't as disciplined but I guess this is what it is now. School shoot talk is as taboo as talking about bomb threats. While I agree about this, I can't help but get worried about this as a parent. Inasmuch as I hate the K-to-12 curriculum, maybe it's time for kids to have a better understanding of values. Maybe with the advent of bad English-speaking Filipino kids, maybe they can double down on either correct usage or just teach them a better degree of our mother tongue.
And religion.
Yes, a child has a choice on which religion he prefers but if the parents can't discipline a kid, then the highest being is the best way for them to have some sort of accountability for their actions. Even if you are not a religious person or regardless of stature, there must be some way for a parent to instill values in their kids.
Because here's that thing: What comes after (or before based on your religious preference) is the rule of law. And the rule of law, if followed properly, is harsher.
Just ask the mother who pleaded with the authorities because his son thought it was a cool idea to bring up school violence.