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"Let's not turn this into a debate on BLANK, instead let's talk about my pet theory BLANK". Seems like that's the only constant after any sort of horrific trag

"Let's not turn this into a debate on BLANK, instead let's talk about my pet theory BLANK". Seems like that's the only constant after any sort of horrific tragedy. It becomes grist in the mill for people to push their pre-existing agendas. For some it has been a push for greater gun control. For others it has been a push for greater funding and understanding of mental health. For others, you blame media attention. Personally, I view these events as "side-effects" of our society. And we're basically loathe to examine it too deeply as it can call into question some deeply held parts of American culture.

avar 11y ago
As the linked article covers this is not exclusive to America, that's probably one correlation we can genuinely throw out.
- manachar 11y ago
  To be fair, it does happen more often in America, which may provide some information to see the underlying conditions that lead to the kind of desperate isolation seen in these manifestos.
sliverstorm 11y ago
"Reduce media attention to criminals" seems like an odd pre-existing personal agenda. What ulterior motive could that possibly correspond to?
- manachar 11y ago
  Blaming media has gotten increasingly popular for a variety of societal ills. It's just a favorite boogeyman to go after. Much like people who blame violent video games or 4chan. The ulterior motive is to use the situation to disparage something they already don't like.
  - jjoonathan 11y ago
    Yes, I'm sure people blame the media because they perceive it as popular and not because killers leave manifestos saying they do it because of the attention it will bring them. >‘I have noticed,’ it says, ‘that so many people like him are all alone and unknown, yet when they spill a little blood, the whole world knows who they are. A man who was known by no one is now known by everyone. His face splashed across every screen, his name across the lips of every person on the planet, all in the course of one day. Seems the more people you kill, the more you’re in the limelight.’ -TFA
    - manachar 11y ago
      It's not the media that causes the individual to crave the media attention or infamy. Does our media contribute? Absolutely. But they are the way they are because of the way we are. Or at least the way the consumers of media are.

avar 11y ago

As the linked article covers this is not exclusive to America, that's probably one correlation we can genuinely throw out.

manachar 11y ago
To be fair, it does happen more often in America, which may provide some information to see the underlying conditions that lead to the kind of desperate isolation seen in these manifestos.

sliverstorm 11y ago

"Reduce media attention to criminals" seems like an odd pre-existing personal agenda. What ulterior motive could that possibly correspond to?

manachar 11y ago
Blaming media has gotten increasingly popular for a variety of societal ills. It's just a favorite boogeyman to go after. Much like people who blame violent video games or 4chan. The ulterior motive is to use the situation to disparage something they already don't like.
- jjoonathan 11y ago
  Yes, I'm sure people blame the media because they perceive it as popular and not because killers leave manifestos saying they do it because of the attention it will bring them. >‘I have noticed,’ it says, ‘that so many people like him are all alone and unknown, yet when they spill a little blood, the whole world knows who they are. A man who was known by no one is now known by everyone. His face splashed across every screen, his name across the lips of every person on the planet, all in the course of one day. Seems the more people you kill, the more you’re in the limelight.’ -TFA
  - manachar 11y ago
    It's not the media that causes the individual to crave the media attention or infamy. Does our media contribute? Absolutely. But they are the way they are because of the way we are. Or at least the way the consumers of media are.