I entered one of my favourite computer supply stores just after the New Year where they have a machine set up near the door with a big monitor and a first person shooter running.
I sometimes watch it for a minute or so while I wait to place my order. On this particular occasion I spotted a kid, maybe eight years old, whose head barely reached the counter. He was playing the game, very well I might add, while his dad was in another part of the store also waiting (we all seem to wait a lot at this store). I'm sure the dad was glad his kid had something to occupy himself with.
I watched this kid kill a lot of bad guys (it was a realistic WW II war game). He pulled out his sniper rifle and shot quite a few soldiers in the head. Bang! One after another.
The dad finally got his order, and nonchalantly gathered up his kid from his recent battle.
Is this a sign of the times? I think it's kind of depressing in a way that an eight year old gets exposed to that kind of realistic representation of violence. Not sure if I'm alone in this sentiment.
