#800, as published in the Sacramento Bee 11/14

I am frequently criticized for my supposedly irrational suspicion that much of science is nonsense, but Professor Christopher J. Ferguson's article, "California irresponsibly hit video-game button," 11/7, goes to prove I'm not all that crazy.

As you read the following quotes from Ferguson, consider how they are in direct opposition to current thinking and common sense, and keep asking yourself, "What?"

Ferguson said, "There is no good evidence linking video game violence with youth violence or other harmful outcomes." Really?

"A recent study of mine suggested that young people who play violent games handle stress better than those who don't." His study?

"As video games have become more violent and more popular, youth violence has plummeted, not increased." Proof?

And finally, "We can be sure that video games have not triggered a crisis of youth behavior, because there is no crisis of youth behavior." {You know how I feel about "everybody knows," and now, "we can be sure.")

If you are a teacher, or a parent, or a human being, do you believe any of the above statements, especially the last one?

Ferguson reads like early tobacco advertising. Then, cigarettes were good for you; and now, violence is a positive force in our children's lives. That's nonsense.