Representation versus Simulation

I feel like the distinction between Representation and simulation that was made in the chapter of Avatars of Story is one that deserves discussion within application. It would appear to me that this distinction is the one that is at the heart of the books versus TV debate that parents often get into with their children. On the surface, It would seem that video games and TV are looked down upon when searching for a constructive activity for children because of two things that seem inextricably linked to the simulation aspect of the activities: this simulation creates a passive, spoon-feeding of images and information, whereas reading a book requires a processing and interpreting to access the same information. That kind of participation within the media makes it impossible to receive the full worth and depth of a message or story. the second issue I feel that people raise with simulation media is that it constructs a concrete interpretation of reality that rejects over interpretations of reality, which aside from potentially being culturally insensitive,is deemed by philosophy to be "ontologically violent"

However, Professor Whalen offered an interesting explanation for why we should value video game simulation. the way in which video games can create different feeling through simulation which create different moods in ways that visual simulation or linguistic "reading books" representation cannot achieve. for example the way in which MGS forces you to plug your controller into a different slot to evade the mind reading abilities of a certain boss, almost simulates a type of existential consideration needed for certain problem solving; moreover how can reading books or watching Tv recreate that experience?

thoughts anyone?