Several of you have pointed us to an amazing opinion piece by Naomi Alderman at The Guardian titled "If we deny children access to all computer games, we deprive them of a rich and magical experience", a beautifully written response to recent events in the UK like the Byron Review and the banning of shocking Kane & Lynch advertisements. She praises Byron's report for touching on the many opportunities for fun and learning that computer games allow, and how we need to move away from the notion that computer games cause harm, and then points out how the print and television media reacted by warning parents about violent games and monitoring their children at all times. In short, they completely ignored the positive points and focused on the negative. Alderman paints a much brighter picture, though the quote that struck me as the most poignant was this:

The world of Grand Theft Auto does contain violence and misogyny; but then, so does The Godfather, or Goodfellas. So, for that matter, does The Iliad.

It's exactly the same sentiment we've seen time and time again, honestly, and while I doubt it will have much impact on the bone-headed, brainwashed parents who read it, it is nice to see it in a major news outlet. Alderman uses Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (which she calls GTA 3) as an example in the article extensively.

Johnson is trying to clean up his neighbourhood. But as a dispossessed, orphaned young black man, he has no option but to re-form his neighbourhood gang to do so. The makers of this game, like the makers of any movie about gangland, can stand squarely behind the art they have created and say: this represents reality. If it offends you, don't criticise the art, but take action to improve the world around you.

A bit of an exaggerated reality to be sure, but definitely based in reality. Of course folks in similar situations to Johnson's were merely made angry by the game, but that's what happens when you hold a mirror up to reflect ugly reality. Instead of trying to improve the reality, we lash out at the mirror, which is so much easier, mirrors being the fragile things they are.

Naomi's most effective point in the whole piece comes towards the end of the article, when she strays from the violent and tries to introduce parents to the more whimsical side of gaming.

Don't worry. The gaming world isn't filled only with violence and depravity. In fact, it's mostly enchanting. If you haven't already spent a little time online playing with the sweetly soothing Samorost game, or Eyemaze's whimsical Grow series, or Foon's delightful Hapland, I urge you to do so now. And then share them with your children.

I cannot agree enough. Parents need to see the beauty in gaming. They are constantly bombarded by negative images from all sides, when a half-hour with a game like Aquaria could change their minds forever. We don't need to convince parents that violent games aren't bad. We need them to see an industry where violent games are just one part of a larger, more beautiful whole.

If we deny children access to all computer games, we deprive them of a rich and magical experience [The Guardian - Thanks Everyone!]

Send an email to Michael Fahey, the author of this post, at fahey@kotaku.com.