French riots and five other social issues linked to video games

French riots, who has President Macron criticized as a commonly accused culprit?

Amidst the conflagration of incendiary riots sweeping across France, President Emmanuel Macron, driven by what appears to be a tinge of desperation to allocate culpability, has revealed a novel scapegoat. In the midst of the tumultuous surge of violent protests, sparked by the heartrending police shooting of an adolescent, the audacious president initially assigned responsibility to the realm of social networks and parental figures. Nevertheless, displaying an unexpected audacity, he fearlessly directed an accusatory gaze towards a cherished yet contentious entity: video games, the adored embodiment of contemporary anxieties.

“I daresay, it is as if certain individuals endeavor to relive, within the very streets, the intoxicating realms of video games,” Macron quipped with a sardonic tone during a momentous crisis meeting held on Friday.

The 45-year-old leader resounded with a familiar refrain, albeit one lacking substantial empirical substantiation. Studies, with unwavering consistency, have repudiated any semblance of a connection between violent video games and subsequent acts of violence. Christopher Ferguson, an erudite professor at Stetson University well-versed in investigating such associations, unequivocally states that “no evidence exists to support a correlation, let alone a causation.”

As for the apprehensions of other esteemed experts, they seem to fear that this particular issue is receiving an excessive amount of unwarranted focus. The American Psychological Association, in its wisdom, affirms that “ascribing acts of violence to the influence of violent video games lacks scientific soundness and diverts attention from other pivotal factors.” Detractors, with a touch of cynicism, contend that this diversionary tactic may very well be the precise intention behind such attributions.

Undeniably, there have been plentiful instances where video games have conveniently served as scapegoats for societal afflictions. Brace yourselves as I unveil five notable episodes of this phenomenon.

1. Prepare yourself for a riveting exposé on the incendiary topic of mass shootings.

Macron is certainly not the pioneer among world leaders in attributing violence to gaming. Cast your mind back to the tempestuous year of 2019 when a weekend marred by two mass shootings captured the world’s attention. It was during this tumultuous period that the flamboyant former US President, Donald Trump, ventured down a comparable path, proffering a similar contention.

Exuding an unwavering sense of confidence, he declared boldly, “It is high time we put an end to the glorification of violence within our society.” This encompasses the abhorrent and macabre video games that have seamlessly integrated themselves into our daily lives.”

Trump’s words reverberated with a theory that has gained momentum since the distressing incidents at Columbine High School in 1999. Unsurprisingly, the National Rifle Association, known for its unwavering support, has risen as a prominent champion of this very notion.

In a blunt assertion, Ferguson, speaking candidly to The Atlantic, declared, “The truth ceased to prevail after Columbine.”

The teenagers got the protesting idea from video games? Macron is sounding an awful lot like, well…

(Published in the New Yorker in 2018, by me and @scottdools ) pic.twitter.com/LAoGAmiz1Y

— Jason Chatfield (@NewYorkCartoons) June 30, 2023

2. Behold the provocative realm of Satanism

Indulge me as I divulge a fascinating tidbit: certain illustrious video games of our time have been enmeshed in the intricate web of Devil worship. Among the prominent contenders, we find the legendary first-person shooter Doom and the renowned Pokémon franchise, both bearing the weight of accusations pertaining to the propagation of satanic motifs.

Nevertheless, the Catholic Church, with unwavering resolve, has vehemently refuted such claims. In a resounding proclamation, Sat2000, the Vatican-operated satellite TV station, boldly declared that Pokémon was rooted in the concept of “profound bonds of friendship” and exhibited a conspicuous absence of any pernicious moral ramifications.

3. Exploring divorce, an intricate realm that intertwines countless lives.

The captivating domains of World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, and Fortnite have all faced accusations of being catalysts for marital discord.

As per the records of Divorce Online, a bold 5% of UK divorce filings in 2018 boldly attributed the demise of their union to the ostensible addiction to online games. Let us acknowledge that partners entangled in the clutches of video game addictions can indeed prove exasperating (my sincerest apologies, dear), yet it is imperative to recognize that this is often a manifestation rather than the root cause of underlying relationship issues.

4. The enigmatic realm of depression

The perpetual association between gaming and the trifecta of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. However, allow me to present an intriguing twist. Recent research indicates that such impacts tend to manifest primarily in individuals who already grapple with preexisting mental health challenges.

Now, here’s a delightful turn of events to savor: multiple studies have unveiled the potential of games in combatting the very demons of depression and anxiety.

5. Indulge in the captivating realm of bad dancing

Let us not overlook one undeniable consequence of gaming: the inescapable influence of Fortnite on abysmal dance moves.

Prepare yourself for a revelation of grand proportions, for the global sensation known as Fortnite has birthed a collection of wildly popular emotes, ranging from the iconic Dab to the infectious Floss. Alas, the calamity does not end within the digital realm, as these cringe-inducing dances have begun infiltrating the very fabric of reality. Footballers, pop stars, and influencers alike have shamelessly succumbed to the allure of these wretched moves, propagating them to impressionable minds of both tender youths and unsuspecting adults.

When you find out @MargotRobbie is a fan. 🎉🎉🎉 #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/GIi9wCM6h1

— Love Island (@LoveIsland) July 13, 2018

Should Macron possess a genuine concern regarding video games, it behooves him to promptly delve into this matter of utmost importance. Yet, one cannot help but ponder if such an inquiry would necessitate an uncomfortable introspection—a disconcerting gaze in the reflective glass, so to speak.