The PBS Idea Channel has released a new video concerning a certain subject that may be on some of our minds: guns and video games, although not in the way that you're expecting.
Is buying Call of Duty a moral choice?
That is the title of the newest episode of their Youtube channel, which "explores the connections between pop culture, technology and art" according to a press release.
In the episode, the host discusses the idea that since many arms dealers must license the likenesses of their products for the use in games such as Battlefield 3 using them in video games is in fact supporting the gun industry.
This is different from other artistic mediums that use guns, but don't always exclusively create realistic depictions with names, designs, and use. Video games put us right into the action, simulating shooting a gun whether or not we believe this is what is happening.
Does this make us hypocrites if we are anti-gun? Maybe. I personally don't mind shooting baddies in the face, especially since most of them are trying to kill me first anyway.
Then again, games like Bioshock: Infinite are bringing to light the moral issues in shooting games so maybe this is something to think about,.
You can watch the video below. What do you think? Sound off in the comments below.