Video games are not a significant factor in mass shootings.

Ave! I'm going to be using some parts of an essay I wrote for school in this debate, just to make it interesting.Absence of evidence is evidence of absence when evidence is to be expected.I will be putting forward this axiom for the debate. If P is true, then we should see E. We do not see E, therefore P is probably not true. Our lack of E, therefore, is evidence that P is not true.This axiom is extremely beneficial to my case. If video games are a significant factor in mass shootings, then we should see evidence of it. If there is no evidence, then video games are probably not a signicant factor in mass shootings.I claim that there is no evidence to show that video games are a significant factor in mass shootings. The lack of evidence in favor of that idea becomes a positive argument against it. Con must do the following two things.1) Accept or refute the axion.2) Show there is evidence that video games are a significant factor in mass shootings.If Con cannot demonstrate #2, then it follows logically from the axiom that video games are probably not a significant factor in mass shootings.I understand that the burden of proof is on me to show that video games are not a significant factor in mass shootings. But, if the axiom is true, and Con cannot demonstrate #2, then I have actually made a positive argument in favor of the resolution (no evidence for the idea --> positive case against the idea).[1]Video games and personalityThe American Psychological Association published a press release in 2010 that discussed the current research about video games. It cited research by Dr. Patrick Markey, which ‘’determined that a certain combination of personality traits can help predict which young people will be more adversely affected by violent video games.’’ If this research is true, then the role that the player’s personality has on the consequences of video game use cannot be denied. It’s not the violence in the video game that causes mass shootings or violent crime, but it’s the person who plays the game.[2]Sandy HookThe tragedy at Sandy Hook elementary is used as an example of violent video games causing mass shootings. Adam Lanza was a fan of violent video games, and dozens of them were found in the basement he lived in before the shooting took place. However, it’s premature to argue that violent video games motivated Lanza to become a mass shooter.CBS News published an article on its website called ‘’Newtown shooter motivated by Norway massacre, sources say’’. This article claims that sources from the Connecticut police believe that Adam Lanza’s attack was motivated by violent video games. It is alleged by these sources that each kill represented some type of ‘score’ in the shooters mind. The problem with this argument is that the Connecticut police haven’t actually finished their investigation of Lanza’s motives. In fact, the end of the article mentions a statement by Lt. J. Paul Vance, who states that the investigation is not yet complete and any statements about the motivations of the shooter are only speculation. [3]The details of Adam Lanza’s lifestyle before the shooting are well-known to the public. He lived in a basement that was completely isolated from any sources of light or noise, likely because Lanza was diagnosed with sensory integration disorder. He spent all of his day playing violent video games without any human interaction involved. The lack of social interaction that Lanza experienced was probably a part of his motivation. An article by the NY Daily News talked about how playing video games with other people can increase cooperative behavior and decrease aggression. The other group, which played video games competitively, scored worse in those categories. If he had simply played video games in a different way, then he would have been less aggressive and more cooperative. The problem with Adam Lanza was how he played video games, not the games themselves. [4]Of course, the research that I brought up in this section could easily apply to any other mass shooting like it.References[1] http://rationalwiki.org...[2] ‘’Violent Video Games May Increase Aggression in Some But Not Others, Says New Research." Violent Video Games May Increase Aggression in Some But Not Others, Says New Research. American Psychological Association, 7 June 2010. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.[3] Orr, Bob, and Pat Milton. "Newtown Shooter Motivated by Norway Massacre, Sources Say." Cbsnews.com. CBS News, 18 Feb. 2013. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.[4] "Do Violent Video Games Boost Aggression? Not Necessarily, Studies Say ." NY Daily News. N.p., 7 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.Vale!