Computer Madness

They do say that "to err is human, to really screw up you need a computer"

Let's analyse this. In the past making a payment involving paperwork was straight-forward and if an error was made, it was generally quite minor as really outrageous discrepancies would be instantly noticeable. If however the error was computer generated it would be more likely to go unnoticed and could cause all sorts of problems.

A Nigerian worker was given his pay-cheque and on his way to the bank he added a few noughts to the end to 'boost' his earnings. The ploy worked right up until he tried to cash the cheque! Whereas a cash machine in England was recently paying out double amounts of cash requested whilst only registering the single amount as the transaction. It was only noticed when one honest (or possibly insane) person reported it to the bank!

Kids allegedly do copycat violence towards others, mimicking computer game violence they see on screen.

Is there any basis for this argument or not? Does a constant stream of projected violence in computer games de-sensitize impressionable adolescents to a degree where they would emulate their 'heroes' in real life? Or would these same kids commit random acts of violence towards others anyway?

Are computer games more addictive than drugs and just as unhealthy?

Whilst the amount of money and the means by which the funds are purloined are vastly different what about the overall effects? Which one am I describing here? A tremendous feeling of euphoria whilst indulging, followed by an emotional and physical low when not able to. An appetite repressant where the user is content to fast, sat in a darkened room. Sleep, school, family are all secondary to the users who only think how to get their next 'fix'. Temperament changes, the user becoming moody and short-tempered. With my limited knowledge it appears there are some pretty scary similarities.

To summarise:

All computers should come with a parental guidance warning! This simply will not happen because our parents have little or no knowledge (or indeed interest) in computers, their advantages and / or their dangers.

It is my belief that computer violence can and does lead to copycat violence by kids - although to a very small minority - who are already likely to commit acts of violence anyway.

All the games do is what the cinema does by giving them ideas as to how they will perpetrate their crimes. The addiction issue is the crux of the argument because I know myself I am capable of spending hours a day, every day, sat at the keyboard in what is really a fruitless pursuit. Lack of access and / or sleep has made me moody and intolerant in the past.