- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Posted by: Hobart007
Michael Moore was driven to popularity by liberal media and a smaller number of liberal activists. Conservatism has a larger representation in America. As far as sociological parallels, this is bunk. You can draw parallels between the world and anything you find. This is why that hack Nostradamus is still around in the tabloids. There isn't much of a caste system in America as I can personally attest to. I started out poor and educated by our public school system. I went to a university on a government grant and from there to the military. I now own my own company and live far above what my parents ever dreamed of. This is not possible in a caste system. As far as pop culture go, Americans like shoot-em-up games and that's what this is. I don't believe that the game creators tried to make any statements with it besides, "We make cool games, have fun with them." And humor is a big part of American culture? Try human culture. We in the States don't have a corner on jokes and its an untraveled person who thinks that we do. Give me a break, I am sure people at Bungie read this stuff and laugh. I know I do...
OK, I feel the need to respond to this post. I will do so by addressing each of the points you raised against my research
1) Rising liberalism in the US
To be honest this is only a minor element, but the emotional and even political state of gamers can be linked clearly to games sales, just look at the enormous rise in war game sales after 9/11. The fact that Halo 2 gives a much more balanced view of the enemy does reflect a growing opposition in America to the shoot first, ask questions later mentality (which filled Halo 1).
2) Caste systems
You missunderstand what people are reffering to as "Caste" in American culture. They are not reffering to an obvious system of class. The differences between weak and strong, rich and poor etc are obvious when compared to other countries in the western world, such as here in the UK.
3) The influence of pop culture
This is possibly the part of your argument I agree least with, to claim that a game is devoid of influences from pop culture is ridiculous. Unless the developers at Bungie don't watch movies, listen to music, play other games or actually step out into the world then of course there will be elements of pop-culture in the game. This is incredibly obvious when you hold up Halo against British or Japaneese games, which are very different in their influences.
4) Bungie making statements
I agree with you on this one, I strongly doubt too that Bungie are secretly trying to influencing people (despite their constant references to building an army and planning a revolution :)) They are however influenced themselves, as is the point of my research.
5) Humour
Of course we have humour in countries other than America. We do however have a different sense of humour. As an outsider to American culture it is clear to players here and in other countries that Halo uses humour that is especially prevelant in American TV and film (such as inuendo and slapstick).
6) Bungie laughing at us
Good for them, as long as forum members have enjoyed posting on this thread, and I do well in my presentation, I'm happy. Plus maybe they will be more likely to remember me whenI graduate and come looking for a job