Cobert Report mentions Civilization IV!

[hahntsak]

not sure if this should go here or not.

The guest on Cobert Report mentioned that kids by and large are playing games that actually teach things useful. He mentioned Civ 4 as twelve year olds running the course of human history and that Civ 4 was the second best selling game. He told how sims had kids having to take out the trash and other chores. He admitted that grand theft auto was violent but it was the exception to the games. Stephen Cobert countered that these kids were being played. the parents would tell the kids not to play and the kids would rebel and play - learning in the process. the guy told about spores the upcoming game from the makers of the sims.

reruns will be on tomorrow during the day on comedy central, check your listings.

 

[Slax]

Yes. I saw this as well. He made it sound like "kids" were the majority of game players, but really, hasn't the average age of video game players gone way up? I don't think the average Civ player is 11-12 years old, especially. Just nitpicking...

 

[GIO888]

Not nitpicking - I HAVE kids in that age range!

And they show an interest when they see cool stuff like camel archers or the Hanging Gardens WM - which naturally leads to a detailed history lesson!!

 

[hahntsak]

and stephen cobert said that the it might be a psychological ploy to get kids to 'learn'.

 

[Caine13]

and stephen cobert said that the it might be a psychological ploy to get kids to 'learn'.

Slightly off topic but have we gotten to a point where we have to trick our kids into learning?

 

[Rex Tyrannus]

Slightly off topic but have we gotten to a point where we have to trick our kids into learning?

Yes, unfortunately. For many children. Look at all the learning devices wrapped up as toys. My five-year-old does love to read books. We have Jr. Encyclopedias that he reads all the time. But given his preference, he'd take his Leappad any day of the week.

We limit his use of such edu-tainment so he still keeps a healthy interest in books.

 

[AluminumKnight]

Ok, but also keep in mind that anything Stephen Colbert says on that show has to be taken with a grain of salt. Anyone who has seen the show knows what I'm talking about.

EDIT: Off topic but did anyone else see the rematch face-off with Stone Phillips? Probably my favorite Colbert Report ever.

 

[Slax]

Ok, but also keep in mind that anything Stephen Colbert says on that show has to be taken with a grain of salt. Anyone who has seen the show knows what I'm talking about.

My comment was directed at the guest author. Usually his guest authors are serious, but nothing Cobert says is to be taken seriously, of course.

 

[wkndwrrr]

I thought I was the only one who saw that, as it was on at 12:30 here...but then again, time zone changes, I guess. Or other night-owls.

The guest also covered Spore

 

[otomik]

Well, the "history" in the civ series is defective. If kids are "learning" history from the game, they are getting a very incorrect, false, outdated and distorted view of history.

somewhat, but it's really very good compared to the other stuff out there in pop culture, knowing that they've been sighted as such an educational game it would be nice if Firaxis would go back and correct some of the eggregious errors so I could get cannon earlier and not have my riflemen backed up with catapults.

 

[salty mud]

Slightly off topic but have we gotten to a point where we have to trick our kids into learning?

No. Not in my opinion anyway. I hate it when we 'kids' are genralized and called 'stupid' and 'yobs' and 'vandals' when that just isn't true! I am not any of them things! Of course, some idiots are but I am not. I enjoy reading and learning, and have learned an immense amount since I purchased Civ IV: for example froms of Goverments, Wars and leaders/civs.

I am going to be a millionare when I grow up!

 

[Palantir30]

Yes. I saw this as well. He made it sound like "kids" were the majority of game players, but really, hasn't the average age of video game players gone way up? I don't think the average Civ player is 11-12 years old, especially. Just nitpicking...

Average age of video gamers hit 31 as of February.

The total is being pushed up by a huge proportion of 40+ year old married females playing online yahtzee and hearts, but still. Stats are stats.

 

[wiseguy101]

I'm going to be 18 years old in July, and I can honestly tell you that there are a lot of kids in my classes at high school who don't want to learn. I on the other hand like to learn. If you can get kids to learn about economics by playing World of Warcraft, then do it.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

Well, the "history" in the civ series is defective. If kids are "learning" history from the game, they are getting a very incorrect, false, outdated and distorted view of history.

At the same time though, it can be used as a springboard into learning about history. My first real interest came from reading the Civ2 civilopedia, and that encouraged me to get properly into studying it.

 

[drkodos]

Yes, unfortunately. For many children. Look at all the learning devices wrapped up as toys. My five-year-old does love to read books. We have Jr. Encyclopedias that he reads all the time. But given his preference, he'd take his Leappad any day of the week.

We limit his use of such edu-tainment so he still keeps a healthy interest in books.

Limit? Why allow it at all on any level?

 

[.Shane.]

Just an FYI for those taking the Colbert Report literally... the whole show is a spoof. So, while the interviewee is genuine, Colbert takes on a persona mocking of political pundits.

 

[naterator]

while the interviewee is genuine, Colbert takes on a persona mocking of political pundits.

it never ceases to amaze me that "the comedy channel" can get politicians expecting a serious interview.

 

[pholkhero]

Limit? Why allow it at all on any level?

do you have kids?

 

[Eternalsteelfan]

Are you really "tricking" the kids into learning by playing a game? The child learns and enjoys him/her self, kids dislike the boring aspects of learning not learning itself, teaching through fun mediums is hardly a new idea.

If the kid is having fun and learning while doing so, is there really a problem?

 

[JtheJackal]

There was A Simpsons episode where Bart is playing a video game
Bart "Woah boy, I'm blowing up all the state capitals!"
Bart: "Take that Salem, Oregon!"
Bart: "Hey, this game is educational!"
Throws controller at game
Bart: "that teaches you to try to teach me"