33 of the Day

Lauren Martino-- 18 year old intern of “We Are Not Your Soldiers!”

The military has poured millions of dollars into the research and development of computerized training programs. Sounds like an honest enough cause until you find out that the same technology is being marketed as video games for kids as young as 13. The Defense Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Air Force, and the Navy have all met with computer industry executives and computer researchers from companies like Pixar, Disney, Paramount, and George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic. In the past ten years, the military has spent more than $33 million to design, launch, and advertise an online military game called “America’s Army” that anyone 13 and older can play for free.

The overall piece, on how the military brainwashes young people, is very good. But then comes this bit: "I am a born and raised New Yorker. I was 8 years old when I saw the first plane hit the World Trade Center." Hard to know exactly what she means here-- did she actually SEE the plane hit in reality? Still, makes you wonder, especially coupled with the 33. (Though to be fair, the 33 was not her invention but is indeed cited in many other articles on the video game.)