Blog #1 Army Video Game

1. Comment on the different types of rhetoric (see your text, p. 4) you find on these websites. Discuss elements such as layout, photos, videos, animation, colors, text, gaming content, and real-life content. Be specific about the elements of the website in your response.



There is clearly a great deal of animation targeted towards the younger population in America throughout these two websites. While browsing, a person is hit with bright colors, bulky font, animated army “heroes”, and interactive media clips consisting of army role-playing games.
The term “game” is used very loosely, and is spread throughout each page, which some may assume is a key target aimed specifically at our youth. Ironically, real-time army “heroes” have their photos aligned, along with each of their gallant quotes placed bluntly by their picture.

2. Who is the intended audience, and how effectively or ineffectively does this website's rhetoric appeal to its audience?




Statistically, more children play video games than adults. The Army is exclusively targeting young children throughout America, who particularly enjoy violent, action-packed games. The rhetoric is extremely effective in portraying the excitement and honor that come along with war and fighting for a country. As heroes are placed side by side, along with their heroic stories, adolescent, naïve children are being influenced by the potential honor that could soon become theirs, by, of course, joining the army.



3. Do you agree with Navy veteran Boyle that this website/game indoctrinates the ideology of war? How does it compare with how the media portrays the Iraq War? If you know someone who has fought or is currently fighting in the Iraq War, you could relay their war experiences and how that compares to this website (only reveal what's comfortable for you).



The ideology of warfare and hostility is indeed thrown in a browser’s face upon opening the websites. War is portrayed as a competitive, fun-filled game, and the sites do not incorporate any of the potential dangers fused with the glory of becoming a soldier. Though the media is also somewhat biased, it does a satisfactory job of showing the stress, and pains a soldier and his/her family must go through while being deployed. Fortunately, I do not personally know anybody who has seen the dangers and depths of the intricate situation in the Middle East.


4. Do you think this video game and the website promote violence or influence teens to become more violent? More aggressive? What are your opinions about violence in video games?




This video game does indeed have the potential to promote violence and aggression among teenagers, but it also enlightens various youths that they could use this fighting, and competitiveness towards a good cause, serving our country. Unlike other war games, involving previous battles fought throughout the world, this Army game has a cause, and that cause is helping this country thrive and prosper. Encouraging the youth across our country to become more competitive and aggressive towards our enemies is not unethical, but it is one of the reasons why America has the strongest and most powerful Army today.