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ECA wants you to inform the President about gaming photo

In case you don't watch the news or read a newspaper to stay up-to-date on current trends -- sadly, this is becoming an ever-increasing population -- the United States is in the middle of revamping its healthcare system. A major part of this, according the experts, is switching from a healthcare system that takes care of people who are already sick to one that is more preventive and stops people from getting sick. A major part of that plan is making people more active, and whenever being inactive comes up in a conversation in the mainstream, so do videogames.

Such is the case with President Obama, who has mentioned on many occasions that Americans need to put the videogames away; he has even slandered the Xbox by name. The ECA wants to do away with this negative stereotype that is constantly perpetuated about games and gamers, and they're starting with the President. ECA president Hal Halpin wants you to help out:

Write the President now, and tell him the real facts about our hobby. We know video games can promote fitness. We know games can educate, because we've experienced that first hand. Video games are also not solely consumption entertainment as we're being challenged to create content for some of our favorite games. We're a part of the new global choice for entertainment and the community it's spawned. Tell the President that this community is active, and vocal. Write him now. We're asking you to speak out now and put a positive face on our community. Make sure to let the President know what we experience every day.

Will this make a difference? Probably not right away, but since the ECA has set everything up for us through that link up there, and made it super easy, the worst thing you can do is nothing at all.

[Via IndustryGamers]


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63 comments | showing # 1 to 50

Rankcanine's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 02:07
Rankcanine
i sent mine a couple days ago i figured why not it may not make a difference but i should try anyway.
DanlHaas's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 02:08
DanlHaas
Yeah, consider it done. I love listening to the president speak, but he always throws that little quip in there about 'make your kids stop playing videogames' and I want to smack him.
Roager's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 02:27
Roager
Just sent mine in. Props to the ECA for asking us to take action. Similar props to Dtoid for spreading it.
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 02:28
Monodi
This is wonderful news! I'll make one
Blindfire's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 02:30
Blindfire
And TV can do all the same things; it can teach, it can promote fitness, and it can even steal time and rot your brain. I think it's fair to say that if a parent's letting their kid do anything - I don't give a shit what it is, playing baseball, playing basketball, playing videogames, watching TV - to the point where it's interfering with more important things, like school just as an example, then it's perfectly acceptable to tell them they should turn the damn thing off. Not just acceptable, but wise.

Don't forget context here. Kids are foolish, and can ignore important things in favor of short-term joy. The man never said you can't play games ever in your life. He advocated responsibility. That's common-goddamn-sense and we all need to un-bunch our panties and stop looking at every offhand comment about how we choose to spend our time like it's a personal attack.
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 02:43
Monodi
Actually, I am a bit scared now. What if 4chan does some bullshit messing around with it?
Samit Sarkar's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 02:46
Samit Sarkar
Oh, come on. As much as I despise the demonization of videogames, let's not kid ourselves (no pun intended) here -- obesity has become an epidemic in this country, and the situation is only getting more dire (especially for young Americans). CDC data from a survey conducted from 2003-2006 shows the astonishing prevalence of obesity among America's youth:

12.4% of children ages 2-5;
17.0% of children ages 6-11; and
17.6% of adolescents ages 12-19.

By the way, those numbers are up from 5%, 6.5%, and 5%, respectively (1976-1980 survey).

Sorry, but most kids aren't playing EA Sports Active; they're sitting in front of a TV pressing buttons on a DualShock. That's not going to burn away the calories from their afternoon snack of Twinkies and a Capri Sun.

Sure, videogames are just one of countless factors that contribute to obesity, but if a President-suggested reduction in gaming time can help bring down those obesity stats, then I'm all for it.
Blindfire's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 02:49
Blindfire
Samit Sarkar, bringing glorious level-headed sanity to the party.
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 02:49
Chronic Logic
Wait, isn't Obama supposed to be hip, savvy and know the latest fad especially in technology? And yet he criticizes video game even though he CAMPAIGNED in video games? Wut?
Roager's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 02:49
Roager
@Blindfire: While a large part of that is true, it's hardly right that they focus on video games over TV, movies, or any other form of entertainment.

It IS fair to say that if a kid is doing something that interferes with important aspects of life., then changes need to be made. It ISN'T fair to focus that advice on one medium, no matter what it is.
kefkaesque's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 02:54
kefkaesque
@Samit Sarkar

People also watch more TV and eat more fast food from back then, but nope, it's clearly all because of video games.

Obama has no idea what he's talking about when it comes to games, it just seems like a little quip he adds in at some point during his speeches because his co writers told him to.
Blindfire's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 02:57
Blindfire
@Roager: It's the nature of the beast. Whatever's new is the talk of the town. Look at history. Books. Radio. TV. Music. It's all been the "reason" for every sin we pop out as a race. Modernization brings with it every connotation of "the devil made me do it" you can imagine.

What they all have in common is that, eventually, it dies out and everybody moves on to some other scapegoat. Generally whatever's new.

And let's be fair, Obama's statement is frighteningly light when compared to some of the other things that have been said. He's no Jack Thompson, and I don't see any good in sponsoring some B.S. that's going to go after the man for making a perfectly reasonable, honest, and common-sense remark. If he'd said something outrageous, sure, but this... not so much.
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 03:09
Monodi
@Chronic Logic

Hey, it was either the grumpy black school director or female Stalin who was going to be in charge of that issue.
BattyAdroit's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 03:17
BattyAdroit
This is being blown way out of proportion.

All he's saying is stop letting your obese children live sedentary lifestyles. "Put away" videogames does not equate to "throw away" videogames. He doesn't "hate gaming", or whatever; he's advocating parental responsibility - you know, that thing that you all cry about, every time some kid does something moronic and they blame on the games?

He's only using videogames as an example because of their current immense popularity as the next "big media." He's showing you that he gets it. If sitting around all day playing tiddlywinks was all the rage, you bet your (sedentary) ass you'd be hearing critical comments about it, instead.

Read Samit and Blindfire's posts. They're the reasonable voices in this thread.
Los255's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 03:21
Los255
Be makes it seem like the Internet and TV don't exist to make you unhealthy either. Don't single out Videogames and just use all existing hardware to your advantage to keep promoting healthy habits and schedules for the more unhealthy gamers and kids.
007's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 03:46
007
Wait... why would we even want to do this? What he's saying is the truth. As much as I love games, I know for a fact that 99% of the people who play it don't really gain anything physically from playing them (except for a callus or two).

I'm also pretty sure that the president kind of realizes that TV, internet, etc. also help to make Americans inactive, but that's probably so obvious that he just doesn't care to mention it.
Pacopaco's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 03:51
Pacopaco
I'm with the more level-headed view that he's not trying to demonize video games like Ms. Clinton and other politicians have done in the past but simply giving an example that has quickly become more relevant with the growing strength of the industry (as well as his constituency). It would be difficult to go off on a laundry-list tangent of other factors in his speeches so I understand the brevity. However, what bothers me is that doesn't mention TV/computer/internet/etc. nearly as often (if at all) compared to video games. Maybe he's assuming that the other things go without saying but I'll agree that repeatedly singling out video games does passively feed into the negative connotations gamers have been fighting for years.

Either way, from what I've seen so far, he doesn't seem to be actively crusading against video games but a polite notice from the gamer community couldn't hurt.
Roager's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 03:57
Roager
One point that hasn't seen light yet is that this doesn't have to be seen as specifically an Obama topic. If indeed this gets big, then it shows that we as gamers have a pretty loud voice. That carries a lot of weight. I, for one, would rather have gamers be heard than have the entire thing blow over just cuz we're too busy thinking it's not that important or worse, that he's unequivocally right.
MaximusPaynicus's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 03:58
MaximusPaynicus
D'Toid Staff and Readers alike, I say this without malice but out of simple, logical truth: if you took part in spamming the President's inbox, you're a fucking tool.

It's as simple as that.
Roager's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 04:01
Roager
@Maximus: nah, if anything, ECA gets to be the most ballsy troll ever for pulling it.
GoldenGamerXero's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 04:06
GoldenGamerXero


But seriously this just makes him think that what he said is probably true. If you don't like it tough but don't piss off the first president in years who everyone actually likes.
MaximusPaynicus's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 04:08
MaximusPaynicus
@Roager: Perhaps, but this is such a non-issue that when something of importance DOES require the collective voice of the gaming community, that voice will be weakened because of this sad, sorry stunt.
SurplusGamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 04:17
SurplusGamer
Samit, I don't think anyone is arguing that video games don't have any part to play in obesity levels, etc. But I think people are rather fed up with games being the scapegoat du jour - with all the negatives being discussed and none of the positives.

Yes, he has a point, but games are a big deal and so when people only hear him talking about video games in the context of 'they make you lazy and fat' and never anything about how they can be educational, bring happiness to kids and are part of the, ugh... artistic landscape now, it makes him seem like an out of touch old man - not the image I think he's going for.
bodybreak's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 04:23
bodybreak
i am not offended by stereotypes given to gamers mainly because i don't fit them.
srsly, guys -- QQ more.
Blindfire's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 04:29
Blindfire
@Roager: Sure, it doesn't have to be seen as an Obama-specific topic... but what we're looking at is an article about going after Obama over something he said, on a subject he seems to be pretty clear and level-headed about. It strikes me as overreacting in a serious and unnecessary way. If people disagree with the president of the U.S. and his views, that's totally cool. It's their business. I'm all for debate over the issue at hand, gaming/other mediums as factors which influence behaviors. That's the discussion this has sparked, yes, but that's not what this story is really about.

My point being that taking any kind of action really requires that something has occurred which demands action in return. Somebody takes a swing at you, and you take a swing back. Somebody pulls a knife, you pull a knife. So on and so on. But this whole ECA business, I think, is akin to punching a guy in the mouth because he asked you what the weather's like.
Roager's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 04:32
Roager
@Maximus: I don't see how.
MaximusPaynicus's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 04:35
MaximusPaynicus
Also, just a random thought, but the ECA letter perpetuates the scientific lie that the Wii can be used as an effective exercise tool.
Roager's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 04:42
Roager
I'm going to bed, and you guys know my stance on this, so I'll just leave at the "agree to disagree" point here. night all.
vitaminh's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 04:49
vitaminh
From Obama's recent speech to the NAACP:

We can't tell our kids to do well in school and then fail to support them when they get home. You can't just contract out parenting. For our kids to excel, we have to accept our responsibility to help them learn. That means putting away the Xbox. Putting our kids to bed at a reasonable hour. It means attending those parent-teacher conferences and reading to our children and helping them with their homework.

Personally, I don't see this as an attack on video games. What I see is Obama trying to make a point about parents taking more responsibility by using an example they can understand and relate to. I don't think him using something that's relevant to today's families makes him out of touch at all.

If he was trying to push legislation through Congress that banned video games or wanted to implement special taxes that were levied only on video game companies, I could understand this call to action. Right now, though, I don't have a compelling reason to spam the president.
protomark's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 05:00
protomark
Oh, but don't turn off the TV. Please keep the TV on. Programs such as 'The Hills,' 'Dragon's Den' and 'Manswers' are engaging, fantastic edutainment for our young american adults. Also, Pepsi-Cola (and affiliates,) Doritos and 99 cent hamburgers.
Solid Squirrel's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 05:26
Solid Squirrel
Vitaminh hit the nail on the head. President Obama is asking parents to take responsibility for their children's actions. Speaking as someone who had responsible parents that limited my time in front of the TV for any reason (shows, games, movies, etc), I can't help but think this a good thing. Get Junior off the pellet bar controller, get him or her in a summer soccer or baseball league, maybe god forbid take them fishing or go on a nature walk, or even just down to the local pool and get them active. There's nothing wrong with kids gaming. There is a problem when they're gaming all the time however.

Obama doesn't need this kind of useless lobbying. Let's worry about the economy and healthcare rather than buying into ECA's one-sided look at a perfectly rational statement.
atastysammich's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 05:50
atastysammich
Ho ho, I keep up with the news! But mostly because I eventually wanna compete on NPR's Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me.

But I digress. Count me in.
JiR INC's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 05:51
JiR INC
@vitaminh: well some peeps read "videogames put away" then some peeps misread then start crying end of the day, I find it funny because Mr.President aint gonna listen to a damn thing XD
the Golden Avatar's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 07:19
the Golden Avatar
I told you Obama was evil.
Cuba Gooding Jr's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 07:32
Cuba Gooding Jr
+1,000 for reforming health care? He hasn't done it yet, but even if he does, it could bring some severe financial consequences.
Your Moms Hot Lover's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 07:58
Your Moms Hot Lover
Yay, lets have an Obama flamewar!

Ignoring Obama completely, I'd just like to point out that most of my friends who are 'gamers' are nowhere near as fat as non-gamers. In fact only one that I can think of is even moderately overweight.

They tend to be twitchy, nervous, skinny types.
SWE3tMadness's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 08:00
SWE3tMadness
Well honestly, if the government starts running health insurance, they're going to want to find ways to keep the cost of healthcare procedures down as much as possible. This includes treatments for conditions caused by obesity , so I can bet you anything that next they're going to try enacting legislature that will control variables that they believe cause people to get fat, which will mostly likely include measures addressing video games.

So yes, I'll write to the president, but it's going to be to complain about the shoddy "healthcare reform" they're trying to ram through congress with Obama's support - not the fact that he implied that video games cause obesity.
VoyToid's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 08:47
VoyToid
no, the reason we're fat is because we are fed manure not because we play videogames

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/26/AR2009012601831.html

http://www.aspartamekills.com/

http://www.suite101.com/blog/oilsdragon/gmo_potatoes_cause_cancer_in_rats

more like put down the controller and educate yourself about eugenics and how russia took care of their people back in the day errr i mean genocided their people because the same shits going on right now right here!!! i know you gamers are smart folks and will figure this out.
Redeye's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 08:49
Redeye
Well, I'd suggest that rather than spamming Obama's inbox, everybody spams Gordon Brown's instead. Not for any particular reason, just simply because he's a useless twunt.
kjohnson1585's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 09:00
kjohnson1585
@SWE, that's known as "the nanny state". I'm not 100 percent sure that legislative means will be enacted-- I think a more aggressive campaign towards improving overall health will be implemented.

Besides, there's something most people miss here: most people hate going to the doctor in general. Even if healthcare was absolutely free, I wouldn't go every damn time I scraped a knee. Most people wouldn't either. Doctors are great people but the wait, and the meds, and the bad news, etc.-- it's not exactly a pleasant place, and we all don't have Munchhausen Syndrome. There was a survey about doctors being reluctant to give out their email addresses, worried to be hearing from their patients every damn second. For the few that did-- they hardly got any emails from them. We're not going to ride our doctor's lab coats, whether healthcare is free or not.

The South, where the more overweight population is, is ALSO the least reluctant to go to the doctor for health concerns (besides, since they think this government healthcare option = socialism, they probably wouldn't go anyway.)
Jesus H Christ's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 09:39
Jesus H Christ
b&
007's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 09:44
007
What the fuck is wrong with Pizzaparty? Tell this psycho to take his loony meds or something.

"Anybody else notice how this ******** [Obama??] is aging quicker than Bush Jr. did, and it's only been six months?"

Yeah, that tends to happen to those who work hard.
pascuz46's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 09:45
pascuz46
I dont understand, you can be active and play video games. Does that not click with some people. If you play video games does that mean you aren't an active and fit person?
Pangloss's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 09:49
Pangloss
In before the banhammer smites down on pizzaparty with great vengeance and furious anger.

Seriously, though. Why was this comment so controversial? If you sit around literally all day and play the vidja games, you will be a fatty. Call up Barry and ask if he's opposed to you putting a few hours in on TF2 every day, and see what his answer is.
Cahuatijo's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 09:52
Cahuatijo
mainly because pizzaetc doesn't come back to the posts,let me say that throwing arbitrary judgment at anyone makes you a dumb cunt, and yes, that is and arbitrary judgment. So, pizzaetc, I do hope you enjoy the sodomy waiting for you in some shitty federal prison because that where you'll end up with your views and attitude, good luck.
As to obama maligning videogames, regardless of whether you like him or not, he's a damn politician, it is still the norm to bash videogames because I can bet my appendix that 99.99% of all the obese and morbidly obese children are playing them too much and therefore making themselves more obese. It is only natural to attack their most prevalent pasttime. For these kids, and there's a lot of them, videogames are it. That's what you see them play 3/5 times if you were to visit them at their homes, so getting parents to be less douchy and take away their consoles makes sense, but more importantly, it is politically sexy to say it.
ShadowKirby's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 10:36
ShadowKirby
1) Politician says you should play outside and spend less time time in front on video games
2) Gamers feel victimized
3) Gamers whine on forums and websites
4) Gamers make petitions/boycotts/spam inbox
5)???
6) profit?

Yah, see what I did there.
Pushtrak's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 10:37
Pushtrak
When was the word "to" killed? Shouldn't a person write to the president as opposed to writing the president?
Corak's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 10:49
Corak
While I don't agree that games should be turned off from now on, I do see the point he is trying to make. You need to put the games down once in a while and go do something. But, I don't think stopping kids from playing video games entirely is the complete answer though. As with most things in life moderation and balance are key. And that needs to be shouted more than "ban this sick filth" is. Yes you should turn off your video games and study some more if you need to in order to get that better grade. Yes you should forgo your nightly Halo or Killzone match to go work out some so that girl you like might actually look at you when you're not a fat disgusting mess. However, you should be able to unwind after a long day with a video game or 2, but you can't do it so much where it impacts other parts of your life. Obesity is a big problem, second leading preventable cause of death after smoking, and someone asked me this question before and it really stuck, how many obese people do you see in their 90's, 80's, 70's, 60's, etc? Its time to scare these kids, if you are big enough to be considered obese most likely you will have a dramatically shorter life than someone who isn't. Your body isn't designed to be that large. If you don't start good living when your young it'll be to late to start when you're older.

I don't think more government involvement in the video game industry is necessary, but I do think they should get the message to the parents and tell them that THEY NEED TO BE THEIR KIDS PARENT AND NOT THEIR FRIEND.
Cuba Gooding Jr's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 10:57
Cuba Gooding Jr
Fuck pizza, I prefer tacos.
Bachonga's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2009 11:28
Bachonga
You tell it like it is pizza
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