Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report

Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report

June 11, 2008

Author Salman Rushdie, who has been dodging a fatwa ever since outraging the Islamic community with his 1988 book The Satanic Verses, mentioned video games during a recent appearance on The Colbert Report.

RUSHDIE: ...I think the only good sign is that a lot of the younger generation in Muslim countries really wants that change. So maybe they will bring it.

 

COLBERT: What can we do to help? Can we send them video games?

 

RUSHDIE: I think video games, YouTube, you know, these are the things that will change the world. Because when people see what garbage everybody else is consuming, they want it too.

A bit of a backhanded compliment, no? But still...

Via: Kotaku

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Comments

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by Archgabe - June 11, 2008 at 7:14 am -0500

I don't think it is a backhand comment at all.  Some games are, in fact, garbage.  You can't get Bioshock or Zelda or even Sim City every single time.  That is a perfect idea.  All our crappy games should be sent overseas.  That way there will be room for more good ones on my already full shelf.

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by metroidprimegmr - June 11, 2008 at 12:56 pm -0500

I've always wondered why the CIA doesn't force detainees to continuously play Barbie Horse Adventures; it has all the torture than waterboarding, but without all the messy controversy!

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by metroidprimegmr - June 11, 2008 at 12:59 pm -0500

sorry, *of* waterboarding!

Give me an edit button, or give me death!

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by MonkeyFace - June 12, 2008 at 3:08 am -0500

speaking of barbie horse adventure did you happen to glance upon the Penny-arcade comic making fun of it?    http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/5/26/

oh and heads up:it has an edit button

 

----Reno to Thompson "I'm only interested in virile men. That’s why I'm not attracted to you." This kids, is what we call a grammatical smack down

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by Brokenscope - June 11, 2008 at 7:17 am -0500

I think I see a positive use for shovelware.

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by Gift - June 11, 2008 at 7:23 am -0500

I believe the expression is "Damned with faint praise"...

 

Gift.

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by Twin-Skies - June 11, 2008 at 9:17 am -0500

I dunno. It felt more like a tongue-in-cheek remark at popular media these days. Nothing worth getting riled up over, imho.

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by Anon - June 11, 2008 at 3:39 pm -0500

Agreed, sounds like the generic "Everything the younger generation likes is garbage" comment that is recycled by every generation when they get older.

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by Gift - June 14, 2008 at 5:58 am -0500

Oh I'm not getting upset over it, that comment came with an *eye-roll*. Plus I love the expression "Damned with faint praise" and this is a perfect example :)

Gift.

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by King of Fiji - June 11, 2008 at 7:32 am -0500

Sort of slow on the uptake as this episodes was shown last week if if I remember correctly. 

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by ChuckLez - June 11, 2008 at 8:18 am -0500

I was thinking the same.  I knew I saw this episode awhile ago.

Either way, I wouldn't look too much into this.  It seems more like a random comment (and a stab) at today's satire.

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by Anonymous - June 11, 2008 at 7:40 am -0500

David Cronenberg once interviewed Salman Rushdie.  The interview was the inspiration for eXistenZ, wherein a video game designer is the subject of a fatwa.  He's okay, but he's no Brain O'blivion (Marshal McLuhan).  ;-)

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by black manta - June 11, 2008 at 8:19 pm -0500

 

Yes! Someone else who’s seen Videodrome! Great movie!
 
Speaking also of eXistenZ, that’s a movie that I think every gamer should see, as it tackled the ramifactions of virtual worlds and MMO’s years before WoW and even EverQuest took hold of the public consciousness. The themes it explores are shockingly prescient and relevant even today.
 
Personally, I wish Cronenberg would go back to making the Biological Horror/Sci-Fi movies he’s better known for. Shivers (AKA They Came From Within), Rabid, The Brood, Scanners, the aforementioned Videodrome and his remake of The Fly are all great movies. I’ve never seen his later films like Dead Ringers, Crash, History of Violence or Eastern Promises as their subject matter didn’t have any fantastical aspects to them (the only other possible exception would have been his adaptation of Naked Lunch) and were nothing I would have wanted to see.
 
 I don’t know why he stopped doing Bio-Horror films as he was pretty much the only guy who did it well, but it would be great to see him return to it.

 

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by Anonymous - June 12, 2008 at 6:09 am -0500

I wish we could have two Cronenbergs.  I don't want to sacrifice the one for the other.  He does good horror, but he is an amazing director.  I think eventually he will stop being so serious and recombine his talents.

Check out Vincenzo Natali.  He also has a very unique and fantastical world in his head.

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by Red_Flag - June 11, 2008 at 9:16 am -0500

Not a backhanded compliment. Until (at some point in the distant future), games are considered high art, they (like most modern movies, music, etc) will be considered "garbage" by the powers that be. Authorities do not fear high class art they can more easily control. They fear low class art that is consumed by the masses and whose message they cannot restrict.

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by Jabrwock - June 11, 2008 at 9:28 am -0500

Grrr! I hate the CRTC!!!! (Canadian Radio and Television Commission)

Thanks to them, Comedy Central can block Cdn IPs and forward them to Comedy Network, which has nowhere near the collection of clips that DailyShow and Colbert's websites have...

-- If your wiimote goes snicker-snack, check your wrist-strap...

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by TBoneTony - June 11, 2008 at 9:53 am -0500
It is better to feel that this guy is only saying things from his opinion and not forcing anyone to believe his statements. So it is nothing to get all hyped up about in my view. But yeah, he angered alot of muslims, and I can see why. But you have to understand that you can't force change into a society who does not want change, only in the younger generation who desires change will there be a change in thought or common belief about such things. Give it time, like already there are many muslim kids who love Videogames even though their parents either hate Videogames or are just completely lost on it. Although I would love to hear from a muslim parent who at least saw the fun side of Videogames.
Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by Weatherlight - June 11, 2008 at 2:24 pm -0500

I took this as a comment more on "pop culture" then video games. Its a matter of saying there is a lot of garbage out there. And yes a large number of video games are just that garbage, especially considering that most people do not draw a distinction between games you buy in the store or flash games you play online.

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by Anonymous - June 11, 2008 at 3:45 pm -0500

Yes, I thought he meant Pop Culture as well. Kind of made me smile, yesterdays 'garbage' is todays '...Sold at auction for three quarters of a million...'.

Re: Author Salman Rushdie Mentions Games on Colbert Report
Submitted by Anonymous - June 12, 2008 at 2:33 am -0500
Now the whole planet hates this motherf**** !!

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