Digital Karma!?

[fabianfred]

As my son was playing his usual computer games (on-line Facebook) I asked him how many people he had killed today.

He replied that it was only digital and not real.....

I said that karma is created by thought as well as deed and at least his enjoying killing...even simple sprites...caused a coarsening of his character which might affect a future action for real.

The modern US forces in Iraq are young men brought up on computer games and sometimes seem to be seen acting as if the real-life shooting they are doing is simply another game.

[huli]

I agree with you, killing people or anything is a pitiful past time for a young person, even if it is only simulated. The kid could very well grow up and be more accepting of real killing.

[eek]

Ive been blowing up things on computers since i was 10.

Before that i was playing cops and robbers and other killing games.

In real life i dont even like killing ants.

I really think people CAN separate reality from fiction.

I imagine a psychopath will be a psychopath regardless of computer games.

I personally just believe in everything in moderation.

Edit: and i still get occasional kicks out of killing computer generated things, just that i dont play around with games much anymore. Ive also knocked down mothers and kids in car games...and laughed myself silly at it... and i laugh myself silly at Tarantino movies, but find slasher movies unbearable to watch. ..because for me slasher movies are too real and gory. Game graphics and movies like Kill Bill are obviously NOT reality based. i wouldnt lift a finger to hurt another human in everyday life...quite the opposite in fact.

Edited August 15, 2012 by eek

[Several]

I have heard this before and I must say I cannot see it. Eliminating digital characters who are respawned immediately is not killing and has no attachment to it. People have blamed tv, movies, books and all manner of media for psychotic behviour but is this the cause or the thing itself? By this definition chess is murder.

One of the Columbine killers wrote levels for Doom but he obviously had problems already. 'Kill em all' he wrote in the instructions, but playing Doom didn't satisfy his desire to kill for real because in the end its only a game.

If someone were deluded enough to truly believe that they were really killing digital characters then yes thats going to probably produce negative Kamma but even then I doubt it will be on the scale of actually taking a life.

[khaowong1]

Hmmm.. I'll have to ask some one more knowledgeble than me and get back to you on this. stay tuned.

[khaowong1]

You are correct. The senior monks I talk to say's that even though it's a computer game, it's the mind that is in charge shooting and blowing up what ever character is on the game. And it's the mind that controls Karma. Karma is activated by our mind, therefore, be careful what the mind is thinking. Does this make any sense to you? Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't make it ok? Karma is a heavy price to pay for just having a little bit of fun.

Don't pay any attention to my avatar, I'm really not a grumpy guy.

Edited August 19, 2012 by khaowong1

[Several]

I like your avatar Brother. And I know its not really you, its a digital representation.