- LIONS EYE - Opin i on Video Games Rotting Youth By Joe O’Berg Lion's Eye Staff Writer Many people today are of the opinion that we are at the forefront of a new age - a remarkable technological age that will bring with it many com- puter-operated systems designed to make our lives easier and more exciting. In the entertainment industry alone there has already been significant gains in the digital technology field that have made movies and video games much more extravagant. Computer, games, which have only come to prominence within the last 15 years, have cashed in most on Americas booming interest with the microchip and data base. This country’s youth is spending more time in front of their TV screens than ever before because of the video game and its ability to allow a child to have adventure and partake in real life and fantasy scenarios without ever having to leave the house. Why play little league baseball and risk striking out when you could be Ken Griffey Jr. in World Series 98. Or chance missing the game winning shot when you could reset any mistakes you might make in NBA live 98. This may be looked at by some as a great benefit to a society seemingly teaming with perverts and drug dealers, but I simply can not see it that way. For starters, there is the social lifestyle that these games perpetuate. There are no wide ranging video game leagues or teams. The activity of playing video-games is still mainly a one or two person activity. Instead of a child going outside for something to do after he or she has had enough of the TV, they now have the option of going into these virtual worlds for whatever it is they want to do. Perhaps I am wrong or at 20 years old, already outdated, but I believe it is unhealthy for a child to not go outside on a daily basis and interact with other people. : Video games take away from the group activities that for decades have been helping to bring up the youth of America. Sports, bands, scout groups, and whatever other youth group organization you can think of help to build up social networks for children that schools just do not allow for. They pro- vide an arena for teamwork and group goal setting that directly correlates to the business world. Video games provide a choice for children whose par- ents would rather see the television raise their children. I realize these words might sound overzealous, but we must remember that it is only the beginning of an age that will soon involve home virtual reality systems that will begin to allow anyone who owns one the option of living out all to real lives with- out leaving their rooms. Soon many of you will be married and raising chil- dren and how you choose to let them spend their free time will help deter- mine the kind of society we will have in the future. on aS A friendly game of handball is about to turn ugly. Photo by Tracey Dinh e a beach. Ona sunny day, the ampitheatre starts to look awfully much lik : ge : Photo by Tracey Dinh ~ Congratulations Joe! You broke the record! Sex Sells for Yellow News By Regis Fields Lion's Eye Staff Writer Recently, I had a conversation with an elderly man who followed the candidacy and Presidency of the United States with a passion for the past 40 years. He is a volunteer worker for Eastern Services Workers Association, a worthy character. We were talking about the Clinton-Lewinski issue in the White House and more specifically the press coverage. He was appalled at all the shots and allegations against the President. He said in his day the Presidency was protected, honored, and respected by the press. He likened what the press was doing to the “Red Scare,” treason. What can be said for journalism as a whole? Is it an ethical profession? Does integrity exist in this field for the factors of a story? Is the goal of journalism subjective, or is it more objective? Do we know the difference anymore? I asked myself all of these questions, and for the most part I could draw no one conclusion for what I thought was the demoralization of a once well-reputed profession. The journalist can no longer ask an interviewee about their life without sensing the need for some form of dirt or drama, private or not, that would make a good hook for an article. The interviewee will often lose their right of privacy because some maverick journalist thought that life was too boring as a topic. As a result, journalism comes under fire and for a short time may be branded as “snake-like,” or “yellow.” It brings a cloud over national publications. It shows a lack of respect for the interviewed person, and makes one ask “what happened to journalism?” Why or rather how the state of journalism came to this point is a question beyond explana- tion. How could the highest office of the land be coveted then trashed by American media in the process of half a century? Is it that society dictates the media, and as we break boundaries the media breaks away from tradition? That would make society responsible for the state of journalism. If that is the case, then journalism would obey to majority rule. Does it? ‘Anything for the story,’ is a motto for journalists I heard once. The story will not sell if no one is interested. Which headline is more appealing, “Scan- dal disrupts the White House,” or “President Clinton involved in sexual rela- tions with intern.” Since the word ‘sex’ appears in the second, that story will likely catch the most attention. Why? Sex sells, if it did not, then that would not be a phrase and the average American would not be saying anything like that. THE LION’S EYE Vol. XXX, No. 3 September 30, 1998 The Pennsylvania State University Commonwealth College Delaware County Campus EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rob Coyle rhcl114@psu.edu ASSISTANT EDITORS Tracey Dinh Aimee Stone Aaron Mixon STAFF Sarah Stover Lori Craddock Gina Ferzetti Rachael DeCenzi Regis Fields Amy Hurley Joe Oberg Jenna Montgomery Jim McGovern Philip Yi Reneé Blisard ADVISORS Lynn Keyser John Terrell The LION’s EYE is published monthly during the academic year by the students of the Delaware County Campus. Submissions are welcome from all students, faculty and staff. Material must be typed, doublé spaced, and submitted in the LION’S EYE mailbox located in the Lion’s Den. Letters, articles and cartoons represent only the views of their authors. Advertisements do not necessarily reflect editorial opinion. THE LION’S EYE regrets it cannot guarantee the return of any material submitted. All submissions are subject to editing.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers