The deal with media violence

From the status message of one Mr. Jeffrey Theodore to your eyes, an economic analysis of the effect violent media has on violence in society.

A paper presented by two researchers over the weekend to the annual meeting of the American Economic Association here challenges the conventional wisdom, concluding that violent films prevent violent crime by attracting would-be assailants and keeping them cloistered in darkened, alcohol-free environs.

Instead of fueling up at bars and then roaming around looking for trouble, potential criminals pass the prime hours for mayhem eating popcorn and watching celluloid villains slay in their stead.

I haven't read the paper, but to this explanation I say: Eh! That doesn't really address the complaints of censors, who say that one major reason people have violent ideas in the first place is that they spend all of this time in front of simulated violence. Me? I've always been partial to this analysis.