You kids and your darn video games: Olympic president condemns digital entertainment
In a manner reminiscent of my parents’ pleas for me to “put down the controller and go outside”, Olympic president Jacques Rogge condemned digital entertainment in an interview with The Times, as part of an attempt to reach out to the next generation of Olympic viewers, participants, and administrators. Correct me if I’m wrong in this assumption, but when attempting to reach a demographic isn’t it a bad idea to blatantly express your dislike for what you’ve already considered to be a central part of their culture?
With regards to attracting new members of the administration, Rogge stated “If they have pink hair or baggy pants, that’s O.K.” What he should have said is that he needs someone with the stereotypical pink hair or baggy pants. Instead, he just comes off as condescending. He blames the youths’ apparent lack of interest on what he calls “screen tyranny.” He also uses his position as a doctor to express concern that digital entertainment can instill sedentary lifestyles.
In what has been taken as the centerpiece of his argument, Rogge perhaps unintentionally attacks gamers, saying “You will never achieve in a video game. It is not really success.” Within the context of Xbox 360 achievements this statement might hold true for a game like Avatar but not Gears or War’s “Seriously.”
In all seriousness, I respect what Rogge is trying to do. I would like to see the Olympics aimed at a younger demographic. But Rogge is going about this mission entirely the wrong way. He makes it appear to be a crusade for health and well-being while attacking a chief form of entertainment for the very demographic he is trying to reach.
Via The Times
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