Michael Atkinson steps down -- video gamers in Australia rejoice

[Trippy]

Some background:

What you've been hearing about is not retarded ideals and censorship issues, it's simply the lack of anything higher than an MA15+ rating for videogames. If a game is not suited to 15-year-olds, even if the classification board thinks it's otherwise OK, it has to be refused classification (banned). So we're in the news all the time about "Australia has banned another videogame".

To change classification rules requires agreement from every state attorney-general. They all want to add an R (18+) rating for computer games, except a guy called Michael Atkinson, the attorney-general of South Australia. For years he's taken a stand that videogames are for kids and therefore R rated games would be bad, in an attempt to be seen as the protector of kids.

So until he gets voted out, we continue to "ban" videogames with sex scenes or extreme violence. Not because we have any kind of problem with them, but because they can't be given a rating and therefore can't be sold. Until Atkinson moves on, we're stuck like this.

The news:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/in-depth/attorney-general-michael-atkinson-to-quit-front-bench/story-fn2sdwup-1225843341005

[NiX]

Titties and bloodshed for everyone!

[schild]

Grats.

[Ironwood]

As one asshole goes, another steps up.


This is a universal truth.

[Velorath]

He will remain in Parliament until the next election in 2014.

Grats guys!  Now you've just got to wait 4 years and hope the next guy isn't as bad.

[Trippy]

He's already stepped down as AG, which is what matters in terms of finally getting a "Mature" classification created (assuming the new AG isn't as retarded).

[IainC]

Welcome to the 21st century 1950s Australia!

[Set]

While it's a step in the right direction for those of us 'Down Under', I recall a recent statement made by the Attorneys General of Queensland and New South Wales (could be mistaken on the States) which basically stated that 'we are not ready for an R18+ rating in this country'.  

In related news, the Minister for Home Affairs (aka Minister for Censoring the Internet) Brendan O'Conner spoke at a a conference in Sydney over the weekend regarding an apparent need for motion controlled games to be more tightly monitored with regard to their classification...

Here's the important bits:

"Computer game manufacturers encourage users to put down their control pads and participate physically in a game through motion-sensing technology... These interactive features are set to increase the impact of the material being enjoyed by consumers."

"We need to consider how increased interactivity will impact on children and what this means for content regulation."

"To the extent that practising the actual motions of killing in different ways actually improves someone's skill, you sort of have to ask yourself: 'Do we want a generation of people who know how to kill people with knives and swords and guns?' ... do you want ten-year-olds to be able to do that?"

Sorry son, you can't go waving about that wii remote...we don't want to teach you how to kill someone! Here, take this stick, dart gun and plastic sword instead.

(Long time reader, first time poster. This whole debate is something I take rather seriously so naturally I had to contribute.)

[Goreschach]

I like the part where he implies that he doesn't know if 10 year olds like knives and guns.

[Musashi]

Whilst

This was the first word you typed on F13.  Good luck!

[Set]

Whilst

This was the first word you typed on F13.  Good luck!

Since when does my thesis supervisor stalk me over the internet?  

What can I say, using 'whilst' over 'while' is a foible of mine (technically you may do so...though it is best to avoid it). Thanks for the warm welcome all the same.

[NowhereMan]

F13: Here be Grammar Snakes.

[HaemishM]

And assholes. Don't forget the assholes. 

[Ard]

The logical next step is grammar snakes in assholes.  I think I've got the plot of a new movie!

[LK]

Since when does my thesis supervisor stalk me over the internet?  

What can I say, using 'whilst' over 'while' is a foible of mine (technically you may do so...though it is best to avoid it). Thanks for the warm welcome all the same.

That avatar is like... brilliant. He gets a pass.

[Ironwood]

That avatar is a reuse.  It's been on f13 before.

I know, because it's in my F13 pics folder.

...

Don't even ask.

[NowhereMan]

Is there a sub-folder for Signe's avatars?

[Tale]

The news:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/in-depth/attorney-general-michael-atkinson-to-quit-front-bench/story-fn2sdwup-1225843341005

Thanks for remembering my post. For a laugh, watch the "I made the wrong decision" video clip on the story. He tried to make a law that every political comment on the internet had to include the user's real name and address. Then someone explained the internets to him.

[Azazel]

We need more in-touch people like that to govern the use of technology in society!

[UnSub]

I missed this news previously.

It's good that the main perceived barrier to Aus getting an R18+ classification for games is out of the way, but there are certainly other hidden ones that may now pop up.

Plus it is a Federal election year and I don't think this is an issue that is important enough to act on before then. I'd like it to be, but it probably isn't.

[Azazel]

Depends how secure Kevin-07 feels. Fuck, I can't believe they've been in for almost a full term already.

[Tale]

Now that Atkinson is gone ... "the federal Attorney-General's Department has confirmed that the R18+ classification for computer games is on the agenda for discussion at the next Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) meeting on May 7."

Unless the new South Australian A-G decides to mimic Atkinson, that could be the event we've been waiting for.

[Ironwood]

I love Hope.  It's like a fine grape, waiting to be crushed into the wine of sweet, sweet tears.

[Ollie]

By now even the stodgiest political fossil has taken the internet machine for a spin and seen the vast cornucopia of tits, ass and violence within. Clinging to an archaic restrictive policy would be the height of self-delusion at this point, especially since the impressionable youths these policies are meant to protect will find plenty of ways to pirate said naughtiness regardless.

Educate, don't ban. It's the only sound way. Besides, banning naughty entertainment is so very 1950's.

[Tale]

Common sense has no place in policymaking. It's about making old people and stupid people vote for you. "Game" means something kids play. "Violent game" means something kids shouldn't play. If "he banned violent games" means they'll vote for you, that's what you do.

Especially in a nation where voting is compulsory. All stupid people must vote. You haven't seen a race to the lowest common denominator until you've seen Australian compulsory democracy.

[Ollie]

You haven't seen a race to the lowest common denominator until you've seen Australian compulsory democracy.

Pandering to the barely literate should make for compelling TV campaign ads. 

[eldaec]

Whilst

This was the first word you typed on F13.  Good luck!

I'd be more concerned that he edited his post in response to this weak and incorrect grammar snake.

Whilst means in 'spite of the fact that'. While means 'for the duration of'.

While it's a step in the right direction for those of us 'Down Under', I recall a recent statement made by......

This says you recall the recent statement for the duration of 'it' being a step in the right direction. Which makes no sense.

Whilst it's a step in the right direction for those of us 'Down Under', I recall a recent statement made by......

This means in spite of the fact that 'it' is a step in the direction, you recall some shit. Much better.



Unless you are an uncouth colonial who insists upon paying attention to all that modern usage bull crap.

[Tarami]

Actually, both are correct - because they're the same word, like "among" and "amongst," just spelling variations. You can argue minor stylistic points but for all intents and purposes they're interchangeable, although you're more likely to seem pretentious using "whilst" than "while." However, only "while" can double as a noun - "I waited for a while, then went home."

I.e. "don't text whilst driving" is as correct as "don't text while driving." Under certain circumstances one or the other can sound more eloquent, like how "a god amongst men" appears more lyrical than "a god among men."

[Musashi]

Somewhiles whilst was otherwhiles used.

Not today, motherfucker.

[Lantyssa]

Whilst you're trying to be funny, I disagree.

[UnSub]

Especially in a nation where voting is compulsory. All stupid people must vote. You haven't seen a race to the lowest common denominator until you've seen Australian compulsory democracy.

... you did watch the 2008 US Elections feat. Sarah Palin, didn't you?

On this issue, I expect no movement, especially since the current Rudd Government seems to have hit a strategy to go further right than the conservative opposition. Freeing up the classifications would be an easy shot and take the Government off message about health and immigration (which is where they've staked their main claims at this point).

[Musashi]

Whilst you're trying to be funny, I disagree.

Wherefore art thou, funny bone?

[Lantyssa]

Methinks tis over yon, forsooth.

[Ingmar]

Don't make me start complaining that you're using wherefore wrong!

[Rendakor]

Don't make me start complaining that you're using wherefore wrong!

Glad I wasn't the only one annoyed by that.