Coming to a college campus near you: Jack Thompson

by Kevin Kelly { Oct 18th 2006 at 8:28AM }

Nothing gets kids fired up like a good old fashioned debate about violence in video games between ... Jack Thompson and Bob Guccione Jr. We're all for intelligent discussion, but Bob Guccione Jr. is representing our side? The guy publishes Spin and Discover magazines, hardly qualifiers for video game advocacy. Plus the guy used to date Ann Coulter, so it doesn't seem like he's going to be someone you want in your corner during a head-to-head against Thompson.

Like Uwe Boll, Thompson is a bad rash on the gaming industry that won't be going away overnight, and unfortunately it doesn't seem like Guccione Jr. is going to be much of a match against him. Did they purposely book someone who is going to lob softballs to Thompson so he can come off the hero? It would be better if we could have an opponent actually from the game industry sounding off against him. At this point we'd settle for Reggie Fils-Aime or even CliffyB.

The first debate will be at the California University of Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, on January 30th, so you should rush and get tickets before this baby sells out.

[Via GamePolitics]

See also:
Jack Thompson becomes boring
Florida court OKs Bully

Tags: Bob Guccione, Bob Guccione Jr., debate, Jack Thompson, JackThompson, video games, violence

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

TRUTH @ Oct 18th 2006 8:43AM

Why are the major gaming icons not jumping in on this debate? Or someone that has played video games their whole life. If Jack Thompson wins this video games=violents arguement it could put a big dent in the gaming industry. Someone Save Us!

Ignatius @ Oct 18th 2006 8:45AM

Why hasn't someone just shot this guy in the head yet?

Seriously, Jack Thompson is like a whiny baby on crack.

TwilightKnight @ Oct 18th 2006 8:46AM

Hopefully someone can get these debates on YouTube so I can watch Jackie get laughed at by several dozen people.

I want him to come to my college, so I can just laugh and point at him myself. Oh man that would be a fun day!

Intangible 360 @ Oct 18th 2006 8:49AM

Will Wright vs. Jack Thompson, now that is something I'd pay to see.

Blue @ Oct 18th 2006 8:49AM

Actually, I think people should ignore this debate. This "Guccione" person doesn't sound like he'd do a good job for our side, and Thompson needs to be forgotten, like smallpox.

Erik @ Oct 18th 2006 9:02AM

There’s going to be cameras right? Because a red-faced Jack Thompson is a funny Jack Thompson. I hope he puts together a best of/worst of tape I think that would be worth buying, and probably the reason why he’s doing this.

At any rate, does he just want to feel like people hate him and want to destroy him so he feels vindicated in his clearly insane quest? I ask because he’s encouraging people to buy “I hate thompson” shirts…

I dunno, the guy is hard to peg, maybe after the other 17,000 press releases he sends this month I’ll “get” him.

Judd @ Oct 18th 2006 9:07AM

Agreeing with Blue here. Everyone keeps on getting into arguements over JT but there's no point. He's not gonna listen to our side of the story so he'll always comthe out on top. Penny Arcade mentioned this when he made Adam Sessler look like an idiot(which doesn't take much work). http://www.penny-arcade.com/2006/08/11#1155317400

Technically, the man has no power. He's just a lawyer who many people have dropped due to his controversial nature. The way to beat him is to not support politicians who share his views, and go against gaming stereotypes by showing what good things can come out of being a gamer. Just ignore the man.

Zertoss @ Oct 18th 2006 9:08AM

If you want someone destroyed legally, then in this case you need to fight fire with fire.

Send in Nintendo's crack team of lawyers. They're known for destroying anyone they don't like. Throw in Microsoft's and Sony's lawyers and you'll have Thompson running home crying like a baby.

Will (I think there's two of us? Dont blame this on the other one) @ Oct 20th 2006 6:57AM

Best said by Axl;

"...And that goes for all you punks in the press, that want to start sh*t by printin' lies instead of the things we said.

That means you:
Andy Secher at Hit Parader
Circus Magazine
Mick Wall at Kerrang
Bob Guccione Jr. at Spin,

What, you pissed off cuz your dad gets more pussy than you?
F**k you, suck my f**kin' d**k!..."

And so he goes on.

The Intangible Fact @ Oct 18th 2006 9:16AM

Jack Thompson is not a powerful lawyer, but he is a good actor. Do people really think he cares about something other than money? The gerneral public is dumb and can be easily manipulated.

Paul @ Oct 18th 2006 9:17AM

its going to be at california university of pennsylvania? like 4 people go there. It is small and it stinks.

> @ Oct 18th 2006 9:22AM

What are the deets on the XBL update? Whats new?

Don Jose @ Oct 18th 2006 9:28AM

Ann Coulter used to date Guccione, Jr.??? That's the news here! Shit, his dad founded Penthouse!

Mister Disco @ Oct 18th 2006 9:36AM

You don't settle for the Regginator. The Regginator settles for you!

Frank Morrison @ Oct 18th 2006 9:58AM

I just spent almost 30 minutes on the phone with CalU (I live 30 minutes away)... and they have no clue about this. Its not on their schedule, in their emails, etc...

No one in the events, information, etc departments have any knowledge about this.

I talked to someone in a "Political Studies" department who knew who Jack Thompson was, but did not know anything about it. He seemed interested in seeing the debate... if there actually is one.

Tom @ Oct 18th 2006 10:16AM

Why would Guccione toss softballs? Isn't Thompson a democrat and he a republican? Doesn't Thompson have the support of high-ranking democats, namely Hillary? I would expect him to have a bone to pick with Thompson if only in the name of partisanship.

rhyanstone cowboy @ Oct 18th 2006 10:45AM

Doesn't Guccione also publish hustler or some other soft porn rag? That's pretty awesome...

Jason @ Oct 18th 2006 10:22AM

As both a gamer and a video game salesman, I've got a pretty unique view as to the things that Jackie here beats his chest about. Alot of times I have to explain point out to the parents of little kids the big "M" on the box. And I've actually been rather suprised at how many parents know its there, but in the same instance, I've also been suprised at how many parents don't care. To parents 'round these parts (re: Oklahoma), a game can be extreamly violent, but just so long as it doesn't have foul language. This actually kind of scares me, because the game they are buying is for a 10 year old.

So, if I'm reading the general public and J.T. right, it seems like he is going to bat for people that just don't care. IMO, that is what makes Thompson look like the blathering idiot that he is. Well, other than the fact that he's a blathering idiot, but I digress.

Parents are out there buying the very games that Tommy Boy is decrying. Parents buy these games for their kids. Jack needs to realize this. Maybe it will shut him up, when he realizes that he isn't needed or wanted. I mean, its pretty sad when Hillary Clinton is going "Yeah, that guy's a freak."

Shiro @ Oct 18th 2006 11:02AM

"4. Will Wright vs. Jack Thompson, now that is something I'd pay to see."

No, PHOENIX Wright vs. Jack Thompson would be better. :D

But I would take the job too. After all, I did write my scholarly paperon how Video Game Violence claims are a sack of shit. Er... More professionally worded, though.

Josh @ Oct 18th 2006 11:40AM

I'm afraid that if you say something Jack doesn't like, he'll just accuse you of harrasment and threaten a lawsuit. Honestly, the man is crazy and he would do just that. BTW, if I was in the crowd, I would scream "So Jack, you don't see that much a fan of freedom of speech."

iLLwiLL @ Oct 18th 2006 11:17AM

who the hell cares any for Jack Thompson besides him and his fans, which apparently have infiltrated Joystiq's central intelligence headquarters to post about J.T. every time he beats his chest. Could the moles quit wasting Joystiq's digital space and reader's time and eye sight publishing his annoying attemps at gaming headlines and redeem themselves. THE POWER OF GOD COMPELLS YOU!...THE POWER OF GOD COMPELLS YOU!!

Jose @ Oct 18th 2006 11:24AM

Why don't we get a bunch of people to storm the stage waiving flags that say:

"No game is illegal!"

Then we can get beat up and demonized (nothing new being nerd and advocates for videogames).

clo1_2000 @ Oct 18th 2006 11:30AM

Jack Thompson is attempting to pin society's woes on the newest form of mainstream media. This happened with Radio, Television and now with Video Games. People need to start realizing that these games come with (usually) the appopriate categorical rating using ESRB guidelines. Parents need to start doing their jobs and have open communication with their children about what activities they partake in.

I am 29 years old and if I want to bludgeon a homeless person to death and then beat a hooker down for the $50 I gave her for the trick she just finished, hey that is my sick and twisted right (see first amendment). The video game demographic has changed significantly since the 1980's and the majority of gamers are adults, not children. There is no need for government oversight, as it hasn't even been proven that video game violence leads to real life violence. Instead of letting Uncle Sam take care of your children, why don't you step up to the plate and be a parent yourself.

Moogle @ Oct 18th 2006 11:49AM

That's a good point, Jacko and Uwe do have a lot in common. They only choose to fight those to weak to mount a proper defense.

Don't think for a second that Jack isn't aware of the facts. While his interpretation might differ, you're not going to tell him anything that will make him relent and realize he's wrong. If anything, you would want to tell 'the truth' to all the people that Jack wants the support of. Unfortunately, they're not going to believe you.

We can all construct arguments that we could use to defeat him in public. He's probably thought of them as well, seeing as how he has nothing better to do with his life. I'm not trying to be defeatest, but it's pretty unlikely that Jack will easily be maneuvered into a position where he can be utterly humiliated in a way that will weaken him (any more than his crazy overzealousness already has, anyway).

I like the toilet paper image btw. :)

James @ Oct 18th 2006 12:51PM

Jack Thompson was recently on Washington Post Radio (a radio station exclusive heard in the Wash D.C. area). The commentator tried to take a "Devil's Advocate" point of view from Thompson's crazy ramblings on the radio, so Thompson called the commentator, "An insane twit."

The commentator, "Sir, I'm acting like a journalist. I'd reccomend that you act like a lawyer."

Hart704 @ Oct 18th 2006 1:16PM

Is everyone stupid? You can't debate with this guy. Nothing will convince him that he is wrong. Just ignore him. It really is that simple.

Walt @ Oct 18th 2006 2:11PM

This man Thompson is clearly trying to base his entire career as being the "anti-video game man." He desperately needs notoriety to keep him in the press so that he can continue to get speaking engagements and potentially tapped as a videogame-related specialist attorney.

Everytime Joystiq and other news sources run a story on him it helps this man financially. It brightens his future and publicizes his ridiculous message. If you disagree with this man, the best way you can disincentivize his behavior is to not write about him at all. If nobody shows to these meetings, guess what - his lucrative speaking engagements and inevitable book deal dry up and he has to find a new obnoxious message to channel.

Mainstream news sources scour sites like Joystiq to know what to pick up. I recommend that Joystiq submitters never post about him again.

dreamcastprep @ Oct 18th 2006 2:19PM

you can put Ann Coulter in my corner any day, hot republicans ftw!

Gonzo @ Oct 18th 2006 2:45PM

Thompson is so inept, they could've sent Bush to debate against him. I thought this guy was just a real jerk until I started actually reading the stuff he's written. Now I just think he's a pathetic imbecile and no threat to us gamers. Frankly, I think we should stop giving him the publicity.
I even have a hard time understanding why the moron lives in this country. Aren't there puritan nations for him and all the d-bags at the PTC to live in.
I mean... Adam Sessler won an argument against Thompson and made more sense; and that's while getting all excited and spazzy like he does. At which point Thompson started making completely absurd arguments like a mother who knows she's wrong but won't admit it; so we should keep an eye out for that. Unless Guccione is a complete idiot or this thing is a setup as you suspect, he's going to make Thompson cry.

James @ Oct 18th 2006 3:51PM

OMG!! Thats the college my girlfriend goes to.... Im going to get to see Jack Thompson in person!!! Where did i put my "I hate Jack Thompson" shirt i got from Penny Arcade.......

iLLwiLL @ Oct 18th 2006 4:36PM

@ 28:

Ann Coulter FTW!

http://www.hoolinet.com/StrapOnVets/tabid/278/Default.aspx

I, Robot @ Oct 19th 2006 12:41AM

What a frigging LOSER!

Bryce @ Oct 19th 2006 1:14AM

"Why hasn't someone just shot this guy in the head yet?

Seriously, Jack Thompson is like a whiny baby on crack."

You're an asset to the gamer community. Way to prove Jack Thompson wrong. Gamers being violent? Yeah right, just look at you. An obviously productive, non-violent member of society. Good work man.