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-   -   Gaming: Is Sniping Cowardly? (http://www.oddworldforums.net/showthread.php?t=9942)

Mac the Janitor 04-22-2004 06:17 AM

:

Things like snipering usually have a reason behind it. Whether or not the killer is willing to accept it, they are using a gun because they cannot handle the situation in a civilised manner. That therefore leads to their being other issues, such as why they can't handle the situation, is it because they're too afraid? And want the easy way out? Using a sniper means they don't have to deal with the pleas of the victim, they aren't as emotionally involved in the killing. They stand at a distance because they are cowardly. They have problems.

Now, I see we might be getting confused with professionally trained, military type snipers. Obviously, they kill because they are instructed to. But why? There are obviously some deep mental issues torturing them, for them to be able to kill people. To be able to supress the conscious while you do it is a hard task, one I doubt I'd ever be able to carry out, my conscious, let alone my heart and brain wouldn't let me. The conwardness comes into play, because the people ordering the snipers to kill, are in fact being cowardly.

One way or the other, it's a matter of opinion Death. I believe that any violence can be avoided, and I don't condone it. Sure, I've had my bad days, and I've acted violently. But when I do, I always make sure to realise why. And it's because I was weak, I was weak in some mental area, and I would fix it. People who use violence, and continually use it, are weak, and they in turn are weaker for not being able to recognise their weaknesses.

Alcar...


Gah, that was absolutely beautiful Alcar. I agree 100%.

Hug?

Di$array 04-22-2004 06:38 AM

it real warfare, i thing your better off being a sniper because at the end of the day to can go home alive whereas if your assault inf your chance of survival is cut in half.

oddguy 04-22-2004 08:10 AM

Uhhh, we stopped talking about video game snipers...huh?

Codek 04-22-2004 09:44 AM

:

Yes, but what drives a person to kill another person, even if they "might be" the enemy? You've got to be either drunk, or extremely tortured in the mind. Both of which, impair your thinking. I wouldn't want to be a sniper, for I fear I'd be living a life of unending hurt.

Alcar...

"Might be" has nothing to do with it. War and conflict is a fact of life. Without all the snipers, infantry, tanks and helicopters, there would be no protection - idealist nazi psychopaths would rule earth. I think that's justification enough for shooting someone in the head without having to listen to their pleas of mercy (doubtful that there would be any).

War is not waged on the drive to kill. Using a sniper rifle is just one of the many ways to kill your enemy. Either way, he is the enemy, and must be stopped, it does not matter how you do it.

If you are talking in terms of a chain murderer using a sniper rifle, then yes, that is sick, because he is shooting innocent civillians. These people have something mentally wrong with them. They may not even be in complete control of themselves.

But like I said earlier, there are four reasons a man kills someone: Revenge, Self Defense, Insanity, And to defend the country they come from. Nothing else.

A sniper rifle can both be used and abused. Either way, it is never used because someone is cowardly. Snipers are some of the most respected forces in any army. And for that reason, I'm going to continue to defend the sniper.

Jacob 04-22-2004 12:04 PM

According to a recent documentary you have to be vaguely insane to actually kill people anyway, regardless of whether you're in the army or not. Because to look into another mans eyes and kill them takes guts. Hence why executioners used to put black bags over the criminals heads...so they don't have to look at them.

Another interesting fact was that in one of the early 1900 wars [can't remember which, but it included basic guns, large black furry hats and red suits] some/most soldiers never fired their weapon and when they did purposely aimed to miss.

Esus 04-22-2004 12:17 PM

Sorry, could resist :D

:

some/most soldiers never fired their weapon and when they did purposely aimed to miss.
And we wonder why we lost that independance war with America... well, now we know. The Americans were insane! :p

Should. Have. Resisted.

Codek 04-22-2004 11:12 PM

Some people are willing to do more than others to defend their country, this does not nessacerily mean that they are slightly insane. :rolleyes:

Alcar 04-22-2004 11:24 PM

Using the patriot example, I would think being slightly insane has to do with the fact that the person is taking patriotism too far. They have become slightly insane (if we describe being insane as confusion), they have in fact, been confused by their outgoing patriotism towards their country, and will do what is necessary.

No one knows the true extent of the brain and how it functions, and I hope we never do. For my imagination has shown me many dire consequences of fully understanding the brain.

Alcar...

Codek 04-22-2004 11:30 PM

You're confusing obsessive patriotism with a sense of duty and loyalty. I've met plenty of military men and women, and they all seem perfectly sane to me. None of them are outwardly over-patriotic, they just feel a sense of duty to their country. And I see nothing wrong with that.

The obsessively patriotic rarely make it into the military. Insanity is not a trait regarded highly, as it can lead to major discipline problems and even friendly fire. So I strongly disagree with you.

Maybe it happened 30 - 50 years ago, but it doesn't now.

Alcar 04-23-2004 04:02 AM

I too have met many military personel, I am in fact considered to be a member of the military, however insignificant that position may be. I can safely say, those in the military have reasons for being in the military. All bad life experiences I'd assume. But, that doesn't mean they will necessarily shoot someone, just because they're in the military. They have conscious' too ;)

Alcar...

Codek 04-23-2004 04:59 AM

A good soldier does not let his conscience get in the way of his duty. If he or she has to kill somebody, then he or she will. Simple.

Mac the Janitor 04-23-2004 06:14 AM

I'd have to agree with Jacob or whoever said that...killing does take a slight amount of insanity. Well, to do it without remorse, that is.


http://www.geekandproud.net/terror/i...terror-all.jpg

I just HAD to put that somewhere. Sorry.

Fez 04-23-2004 10:11 AM

Thank you for filling in while i was away Death.

I have nothin else to say.

Jacob 04-23-2004 01:07 PM

It's believed that the Army are now designing tests to make "killing machines".

Also, on the point of people "not seeming insane". That guy who was burnt in the Falklands war said he knew somebody who seemed perfectly nice, perfectly friendly and a really nice guy who everybody adored...but when he was out on the battlefield he turned into an insane psychotic.

I'm surprised nobody else watched the show, it was on a couple of months back and was called 'The truth about killing' or something like that, was on C4. Was really interesting hearing how Soldiers didn't shoot to kill or only killed when it was ultimatly necessary.

Fez 04-24-2004 12:12 AM

Yup, its not easy taking a life. But you shoot when your life is endangered. I've done missions where i've been firing blanks at my mates, in the middle of it all, you just lose it. Your mind goes blank, and all you concentrate on is killing. Human instinct.

Alcar 04-24-2004 12:50 AM

Indeed. That could be likened to temporary insanity, ferill. Which is understandable; who wouldn't go insanenly mad if they knew the life of a loved one was to be compromised?

Which is, the explanation of why people, normally very introverted, can also shoot to kill another, should the victim be close to them. As depressing as my own irony is, I know I'd do that for a loved one. My own hypocrisy nullifies my opinions.

Alcar...

Codek 04-24-2004 01:41 AM

Alcar; There is no such thing as a "reasonable person". People are animals, they kill each other all the time. It's in their nature, and to deny it like it's something only madmen do really is slightly insane.

Like I said earlier, conflict isn't preferable, it's just a fact of life. People will always fight other people. There will always be people who feel so passionately about something, that they end up fighting for it. Why can't you just accept that and move on?

OK so maybe some people just won't kill period. But if you had the choice between killing someone or losing the country you live in to terrorists, which would you choose?

Fez 04-24-2004 06:22 AM

Killing......

oddguy 04-24-2004 08:14 AM

I'm never going to join the Army...because I could never kill anyone. Also, if the draft were to come back, I'm safe. Paxil CR...hehe. :D That's interesting...what would you guys do if the draft came back?

-oddguy

Fez 04-24-2004 08:17 AM

I'm going into the Army anyway, so it wont bother me, I'll acutally be happyer I get to join up early!

I highly doubt a draft will come back, unless America ****s around with China or Russia, or the UK even!

Anyone want to know what to expect if you get drafted?

Hobo 04-24-2004 08:56 AM

Despite my violent game preferences, I am a pacifist at heart, I don't believe that violence should be a part of this world. Why waste money on nukes when we could be funding research into Cancer that could save millions of lives.

Random Fact: [Source: Downsize THIS! - Michael Moore] If Nike removed 1% of it's advertising budget and spent that on wages in the 3rd world sweat shops it runs, it would bring evey single worker there to above the poverty line.

Fez 04-24-2004 08:58 AM

You said it yourself, were Human, we cant stop fighting. There will never ever be such thing as world peace.

Hobo 04-24-2004 09:05 AM

The only route to World Peace is throught the theory of Communism. But that would involve humans to overide their overwhelming lust for being, well, human.

Jacob 04-24-2004 10:20 AM

I can't stand it when people go on about "Peace" like all those student Hippies were all "No, don't attack Iraq, make peace with them." i was all "O-M-F-G...shut up, you have NO idea what you're going on about. Peace will never happen. Never. First you have to get rid of Politics, then money and then material possessions...then, and this is the biggest problem, Religion. Oh, and human emotions such as Jealousy and Anger.

On a lighter note i've always thought about killing someone and it's on my "To do" list...

Fez 04-24-2004 10:26 AM

Join the TA Jacob, you get to go to Iraq to kill A-rabs.

Hobo 04-24-2004 10:32 AM

I realise that peace is impossible, all I'm saying is that the world would be a better place if it was peaceful. I realise we, as a species are too fucked up to ever reach such a state of utopia.

Fez 04-24-2004 10:37 AM

We'll kill ourselves one day, through a huge war, that those all-singing, all-dancing, rootin' tootin', assault-rifle carrying, morbidly obese, religiously zealous, slightyly jingoistic, celebrity-stalking Americans.

Codek 04-24-2004 10:54 AM

If someone came around my house to try and draft me, I'd stick a gun so far up his ass the spent shells would be mixing with his lunch.

There is no sonofabitch going to decide the fate of my life for me.

Fez 04-24-2004 10:56 AM

but the fate of your country is at hand, you said it yourself, you'd much rather kill.

Codek 04-24-2004 12:33 PM

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but the fate of your country is at hand, you said it yourself, you'd much rather kill.

No I didn't. I said that I will be the judge of my destiny, and that I have no problem with people killing their enemies if it is the name of their country. But I never said that I would kill my enemies.

Fez 04-25-2004 01:33 AM

God, I really have to read posts like 5 times each!

Alcar 04-25-2004 04:15 AM

I am assuming when you English and American's say "drafting", you refer to what us Australian's call conscription. I doubt Australia will ever see conscription in affect ever again, the horrors of Vietnam still loom, and the opinions of those against the war remain.

Besides, Australia would have to be in a majority aggreance for such a thing to take place. And if it doesn't, and the government still wishes to push it upon us, they would have to go through another set of majority rules steps :p

Alcar...

Jacob 04-25-2004 05:56 AM

'Join the TA Jacob, you get to go to Iraq to kill A-rabs.'

I'd much rather kill in a non-war fight or something. Like a Paedophile attempts to abduct a child or a Townie threatens me. That way i get news coverage.

Fez 04-25-2004 06:02 AM

I'd love to kill a few Townies, little bastards......

http://www.oddworldforums.net/attach...achmentid=1786

Di$array 04-25-2004 07:37 AM

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I'd love to kill a few Townies, little bastards......

http://www.oddworldforums.net/attach...achmentid=1786


lol m8 you crack me up :D

Codek 04-25-2004 08:30 AM

I would also like to kill townies. I turned around and punched one in the face just the other day, when he pulled on my wallet chain. My wallet was containing £500, so obviously I wasn't just going to let him get away with it lightly.

Those little bastards pull shit like that all the time. They start fights in the street and they dress like after-game tennis players.

Fez 04-25-2004 08:36 AM

I just give them the finger whenever I see one. Once one of them.....touched Sid, if I ever meet him he is so dead.

Codek 04-25-2004 08:39 AM

ferill you really remind me of my over-patriotic friend Will. He is uber patriotic, really into airsofting, hates townies, and wishes every single day that he was neo.

The only downside is that he's a complete asshole.

Fez 04-25-2004 08:41 AM

lol. I'm Patriotic as hell, but i dont like The Matrix, to confusing and abit crap. Cool gun fights though.....

and i'm also not a complete asshole, just abit ;)

Codek 04-25-2004 08:43 AM

Well, you only remind me of him because you're patriotic, like guns and hate townies.

In comparison with Will, you're an absolute genius.