Jesse Jackson largely dismisses gaming-violence link

Gamers fighting the suggestion that playing violent video games leads to violence in real life are finding an unlikely ally in the form of the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Jackson was asked by British Parliament member Keith Vaz -- who has been campaigning specifically against violent video games since 2005 -- about his thoughts on the issue of escalating images of violence in the media (not just games presumably, but music, movies, and TV as well).

Likely expecting to find an ally -- Jackson is, after all, a reverend -- Vaz must have been taken aback by Jackson's response: "Those who grow drugs in Afghanistan -- they don't listen to music."

Jackson went on to elaborate about the link between virtual and real violence: "There is some link. Is art imitating life, is life imitating art? We want artists not to use their skills to desensitize people... but the economic impact of life options determines whether one is headed up or down."

It's refreshing to hear such a grounded commentary from Jackson -- who's known best for colorful and often fanciful analogies and brazen calls to action rather than sober pragmatism on social issues. But here, Jackson is offering a common sense approach to this ongoing debate: If you're prone to violence, violent video games are probably not for you. But the vast majority of players are far more likely to be driven to potential extremes, including violent behavior, by other aspects of their lives -- whether that be the loss of a job or trouble with the wife.

The story reporting the exchange (linked above) doesn't mention how Vaz might have responded to Jackson's dismissal.