GamePolitics once again shows us a handy graph. Print it out and keep it in your wallet, so next time you feel like jacking that ambulance or tank cheating your way through your algebra final, you can sort of rub it, talisman-like, and chant your Personal Empowerment Mantra: "I am a good person. I play Grand Theft Auto. I did not install Hot Coffee. It's only a game."

There is no epidemic of youth violence in America.

The whole concept is a lie... Kids are not killing each other more frequently than they used to. In fact, it turns out the opposite is true.

Check out that ugly graph on the right... violent crime is at the lowest it has been in a good thirty years. For effect, I've also marked the release of the Playstation console, the first Grand Theft Auto game, the PS2 console, and the infamous GTA 3. Wow, look at those surges in violence!

Believe it or not, I got that graph... from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Statistics. All I added was the video game timeline...

Encouraging words indeed, but a commentor "found Duke Ferris's graph and conclusions to be grossly misleading," and wags his finger in warning against this sort of generalizing. Read his cautioning here. Eliza Gauger

Youth Violence Waaaay Down - Games to Blame? [GamePolitics]

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