Deja Fu

Every time I think the entire Mass Effect controversy is done, we get another round.

This time, however, it seems someone needs to check the endothermic properties of Hell. Jack Thompson, of all people, is defending the game against Fox News, saying, “The guy who shot his mouth off about it had no idea what the Hell he was talking about.”

Seriously. Jack Thompson. I’m beginning to think I may need to rethink the whole atheist thing.

-K

Well, it appears we might actually have a first when it comes to “experts” mouthing off about video games. author Cooper Lawrence, the “expert” tapped by Fox News for the segment you can view below, appears to have backtracked from her original position about Mass Effect:

In an interview on Friday, Ms. Lawrence said that since the controversy over her remarks erupted she had watched someone play the game for about two and a half hours. “I recognize that I misspoke,” she said. “I really regret saying that, and now that I’ve seen the game and seen the sex scenes it’s kind of a joke.

“Before the show I had asked somebody about what they had heard, and they had said it’s like pornography,” she added. “But it’s not like pornography. I’ve seen episodes of ‘Lost’ that are more sexually explicit.”

I’ve got to give her credit. It takes integrity for someone to admit they made a mistake and attempt to correct it. Especially when that mistake and the apology get national coverage. Now I’d like to see mainstream journalism and their “experts” actually try to get their facts straight the first time. I know, I know. It’s a bit idealistic. However, this gives me a small bit of hope.

As a final note: I’m relatively ambivalent about users messing with Lawrence’s books on Amazon and Barnes and Noble’s web sites. On one hand, it seems childish and immature. On the other, it’s an example of the power a user-driven community can wield when attacked. There is blacklash and the internet allows people to express their frustration in creative and effective ways. Ceveat pundit, is all I can really say.

-K

Some things actually have to be seen to be believed.

Over at RifleGear, a man has created the world’s first Hello Kitty AR-15 (more recognizable by its military designation M-16). Built as a protest against California’s law prohibiting “assault weapons,” it brings a whole new level to the idea of a “new pink.”

Also, remember last week when I ranted about a conservative columnist and his ignorant accusations? Well, now it seems none other than Fox News has thrown their hat into the ring. I honestly can’t believe it. Do journalists even bother checking their facts before putting a story on air anymore? (I know you do. Put down the knife.) Ah well. This will either entertain you, or make you want to tear your hair out. It makes me feel the latter, but I lost mine a long time ago.

And to top everything off, every now and then, for no reason whatsoever, I think I smell cat litter while sitting in my office.

-K