> If the Romans were still around today and had discovered film, I have no doubt that they would televise the carnage in the arena and broadcast it to all corners of their empire. They aren't around today partly because weaning one's citizens on murder for the sake of entertainment does not a healthy culture make.

While this (which I am about to say) proves nothing, I do remember an episode of Star Trek in which they found a planet where they did that.

> Even in today's violent video games, movies and other forms of entertainment, there is almost always at least a fig leaf of plot casting the protagonist in opposition to some greater evil.
>
> 10"We who are about to frag, salute you!"Kan

Yes. I think there's where I find myself drawing the line in video games. Am I "killing" because they're trying to kill me/take over the world/do some other nefarious deed, or am I killing because, hey, I have a gun and there are some people standing over there? Are the ones coming after me enforcing the twisted rule of a villainous madman, or just enforcing sensible laws against, say, theft, murder and suchlike?

Nyperold