This is my final untimed essay which I wrote last weekend. I've tried to rearrange the techniques, purposes, and effects so it doesn't sound as repetitive.
Word count: 1296
Recent calls to establish a R18+ rating for computer games have ignited vicious debates over the efficacy and merits of such a measure. Geordie’s opinionative article, R18+ is Kid’s Stuff, published in The Older Gamer, asserts that children will be placed at an even greater risk of such a rating is not introduced, and that the federal government is ignorant of the minimal impact of which computer games can have on children. A highly rational tone characterises his article, which is catered to a predominately mature audience, particularly parents and adult gamers. His article is accompanied by an image of a heavily macho bodyguard who symbolises the government’s stubborn refusal to establish an adult’s only rating.
Geordie commences his article by showcasing the overprotective nature of the federal government. He describes Australia as the “only westernised nation which does not have an adult rating”. The perceived affluence and high moral conscience of western society serves to illustrate Australia as being a backwards nation, lacking the common sense to implement a policy which other developed countries have already established. Therefore, the reader may be positioned to feel that the federal government is at odds with the rest of the world, possibly generating sentiments of frustration. Geordie continues to highlight the heavily bureaucratic nature of many governmental departments, stating that there are “twelve different institutions…[and] nine different Authorities, Commissions, Councils, Corporations, Officers, or Services”. Although readers may feel “safe” due to this sheer amount of governmental protection, Geordie implies that most of the responsibilities of all these governmental positions overlap with each other and that most of the positions are not needed. This is achieved by subjecting the reader to an array of synonyms, such as “Authorities” and “Councils” and “Officers”, and hence the reader is likely to perceive all of the governmental bodies as being virtually identical to each other. Readers may be positioned to view the government as being excessively paranoid towards the issue of violent video games, possibly leading to the assumption that the federal government is acting out of fear rather than reason. Moreover, readers may be engendered to feel that a different approach to the issue must be considered in order to more effectively address the problem; Geordie conveys that such overprotective measures are unlikely to be effective in tackling the issue of violent video games, suggesting that such “isolation” has only worked “in the past”. This presents the government as being ignorant of the development of new solutions to these issues, and illustrates that such obsolete measures are inevitably doomed to failure.
Geordie then describes the internet as having “no borders”, which demonstrates that the internet is completely unaffected by governmental measures, that there are already existing methods of smuggling adult games which “circumvent….[the government’s] censorship controls”. Thus, such pre-established notions of the government’s own ineffectiveness are compounded in the reader, particularly adult gamers, denigrating the influence of the government. Hence, adult gamers are more likely to view the government as lacking the required intelligence to protect the mental well-being of their citizens. Furthermore, his labelling of the government as a “watchdog” connotes totalitarian surveillance, complementing the image of the macho bodyguard at the beginning of the article. The man is drawn as being heavily muscular and built, symbolising the complete authority of the government; his dominance in the picture frame conveys a sense of blockage and stubbornness, which alludes to the government’s protective measures against the “dangers” presented from potentially harmful media. However, the reader may be positioned to view the government as being a highly obstinate body that deprives citizens of entertainment. Such is symbolised through the stoic stance of the man, and that of his plain, black clothing, which conveys a sense of boredom to the reader.
Geordie continues by showcasing the harmless effects which most violent video games have on their children. He states that all computer games are “still just…game content”. This debases the perceived malign influence which games possess, allowing the reader to view them as being less detrimental than they could have previously feared. This ultimately may position the reader to view the government in an increasingly irate light, as it compounds upon Geordie’s illustration of the government as being excessively unreasonable in its overprotective stance. Moreover, the reader may be positioned to view games as a benefit to one’s mental well-being, rather than a sole detriment.By describing games as a “fantasy”, the reader is reminded that games can be treated as an art, and as an avenue of creativity. The blissful, calming imagery evoked by the word “fantasy” encapsulates Geordie’s assertion that games are merely entertainment, comparable with that of film and novels. He further describes playing potentially violent video games as a “choice” and a “right”, suggesting that mature individuals have made a well-educated decision to conscientiously play games that may showcase graphic material. The implications towards the reader’s own sense of freedom are highlighted by the word “right”, and hence the reader may view the government as taking away a liberty which they lawfully deserve. Therefore, the reader may perceive the federal government as being undemocratic, willing to impeach their own citizen’s rights. Geordie seeks to further showcase the government’s hypocritical approach on the issue, stating that “adults in this country are free to drink, smoke, and watch pornography…by the same government who is refusing to allow similar content in computer games”. By enlightening the reader of other possible sources of sinister influence, the government is portrayed as aloof and irrational. The mention of “pornography” conveys a sense of shock and distaste from the reader, possibly positioning them to view pornography in a more negative light than games. By elevating video games as being less harmful than existing forms of media, it is less likely that the reader will view video games as the sole source of malign influence. This may position them to rationalise that if other, more obscene forms of media are allowed, then adult video games should not be banned. Geordie shifts to an accusatory tone, heightening sentiments of irate and frustration in the reader, as he describes people as “killing themselves with alcohol…doing things which our government allows...yet, when was the last time you heard an adult [die] from computer games?”. The use of irony further propagates Geordie’s view that the government is being unreasonable, positioning the reader to question all of the government’s policies with disdain.
Criticising the government’s own inflexible stance on the issue, Geordie illustrates the federal government’s own actions as “childish”. By denigrating the government to that of a child, adult readers are positioned to view the government as being narrow-minded, unable to listen to the reader’s own concerns. This suggests that the government possesses a puerile naivety, as the pejorative is tinged with allusions of ignorance. The government’s own ignorance is finally highlighted as Geordie states that “a petition [calling for an R18+ rating] which has 60,000 adult gamer signatures” was ignored by the government, and hence the reader may feel indignant due to the government’s undemocratic nature. He then concludes by stating that “it is time SCAG grew up”. The conviction in this statement, achieved through the use of absolutes and brevity, may elicit a damning condemnation of the government from adult reader, who may feel that the government should act more maturely and to listen to the reader’s concerns, rather than simply ignoring them.
The crux of Geordie’s article resides in his strongly rational demeanour, complementing his intention of belittling the government’s baseless judgement towards video games. Such sentiments are further compounded upon by the image of the bodyguard. It is through such intricate composition that Geordie seeks to perpetuate awareness of the minimally adverse effects that an R18+ rating will have on children.
Home
Help
Search
Login
