xtianw:

The list of questions raised by our military’s digital paradigm shift doesn’t stop with its effects on our youth. What few answers are provided are shrouded in the smoke and mirrors of “classified information” and “the interest of national security.” Is the risk of fratricide or civilian casualties through apathy worth the ease of war-fighting in a digital age? Are we saving lives while sacrificing our humanity? If we ever return to peacetime, will this technology be used against American citizens? Will it be sold to future enemies like so many technologies before it? These are only a few questions I find myself asking.

There is one certainty: as long as video games continue to glorify war and dehumanize the enemy (EA’s changing of “Taliban” to “OpFor” for instance), it will only get easier to teach our sons and daughters to kill. Video game makers are in a unique position to tackle contemporary war issues that no one else has, but so far have been entirely gutless in their approach, favoring marketing and giving in to pressure. At least they make a lot of money, though. Right?