In today’s society, violent
video games and their effects on children’s psyche are a significant concern
for parents and regulators alike. Even more prevalent is the debate over the
use of torture by governments and individuals throughout the world. The recently
released game Grand Theft Auto 5 brings each of these issue into the forefront
– not only does the game feature violence and the use and sale of drugs as its
predecessors did, but it also features the use of various forms of torture.
Over the course of the game, the player partakes in waterboarding,
electroshock, pulling teeth, and other forms of violent information extraction
as part of the criminal missions they must complete. In a post 9/11 world where
many Americans support torture, such actions have become acceptable, and are
even approved of under the guise of “keeping America safe”. It is not
surprising, then, that Grand Theft Auto has taken to torture among its many
other unsavory acts. That’s not to say that Grand Theft Auto is not an enjoyable
game, but there is a significant distinction between general criminal activity,
killing, and torture, and the use of torture concerns me much more. Personally,
I do not believe that torture is a successful or acceptable method for
acquiring information, as oftentimes the information received is false or the
victim is injured beyond repair. Harming people – sometimes even innocent
people – in the name of information does not work. Any information obtained
cannot be verified, and whatever knowledge the victim was willing to disclose
could have easily been withdrawn in another manner through non-damaging
bargaining. Permanently disfiguring someone will not produce proper information
– confessions and tips obtained under duress are seldom truthful and rarely
result in knowledge that is actionable. It is for this reason that I cannot
support torture – victim’s lives are ruined and the government or individuals
participating end up with nothing to show for it.
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