well written, you make some good points, but I must saythat Mario is not the sort of game that is usually worrisome. Firdst person shooter and such are more worisome. And have you ever watched a five year old go from vidoe game mode to violent aggressive mode? Becuase some certainly do.

But think that muchmore than causing violence in youth vidoe games create apathy. I don't play videogames much but the other day I was and I was in some dramatic part where you can't save and I kept thinking I heard someone crying. After I was sure that there was someone sobbing outisde of my window, I actually considered getting to a save point before investigating. I haven't turned that stupid machine on since.

Wow, what an interesting essay! I'll admit, you're right about the fact that some things don't quite make sense (or, at least, aren't fully backed up by references I know and trust, which is why I'm assuming you must have a separate page for it...), so I'm glad to see you at least mentioned and acknowledged it.

Anyways, I really like this. I never really thought that video games cranked out crazy, psychotic children, but I never really played them either. I don't fully agree with some of your "positive" claims (except the economy one, which is hard to disagree with), though. I know plenty of kids who spent their childhoods sitting in front of the Playstation or other. And surveys are not always necessarily true, regarding some things you said. Aside from that personal opinion point, I really enjoyed reading this very-well written essay. It's written clearly, with an air of maturity I think is difficult to find in most essays that argue points, even in the higher levels. You should be quite proud, no matter the grade you got. This is an interesting essay, an informative essay, and an excellent one.

First of all, most people aren't blaming Mario when they say video games promote violence. I'm sure you are aware of that. Some of the older, more classic games, like Mario, are accepted by most of the sane population on this planet we call earth. What most people worry about causing violent tendancies are the violent games (Halo and all it's successors, Grand Theft Auto, etc.)

While these games do improve reflexes, I think the main cause of worry is that it desensitizes kids (and adults) who play them. They kill people on their video game, so it's not really so gruesome to hear a person was killed in real life. (And yes, you can see violence on basically every TV show nowadays; the media just isn't given quite so much crap about it as video games are.)

As to the point of not ruining a person's social life, I think you have it a bit wrong. A bit of gaming for fun does no harm, but there are definitely those whose lives revolve around video games and there is nothing else. I know a few of these people. They are really boring to be around. I'd say that's ruining a social life.

Honestly, I don't really think video games cause kids to shoot up their schools either. Some of the points those who do believe that make, though, are valid.

Have a nice day.

Dammit, why is it that people always beat me to writing essays about subjects like this?

I thought your essay was very well thought out and well written. I agree pretty much wholeheartedly.

(This is the part where I beg you to review something I wrote)

Fantastic essay that held my attention the whole way through.