[bagster]

I concur on the nature vs nurture argument you make. You are aware that my post was HEAVILY sarcastic?

Male youths in the caveman days emulated war with sticks and rocks in their play. I myself have been known to play 'cowboys and Indians' as a child.

Is that nature or nurture? It's an interesting debate.

I believe in 'Hobbsian' man. That man is born uncivilized and has to learn civilized (non-violent) behavior. Absent that learning, by whatever means, man remains an animal.

Some of the modes of 'civilizing' are religion (Islam excepted), parental discipline with proper values, and other environmental means.

If one is properly civilized, violent video games will have no effect on behavior. Many these days lack the civilizing influences of religion or parental discipline.

Anyway, that's my ramble and opinion.

[cymbeline]

“Male youths in the caveman days emulated war with sticks and rocks in their play.”

Through the ages men applied force and strength where needed. Women maintained the household and maybe tended to crops.

Which came first: men being stronger than women, or the need for strength to hold together a community, for which men took the role because they didn’t have babies?