While our analysis was initially inspired by the hypothesis that mass media attention given to sensational violent events may promote ideation in vulnerable ind

While our analysis was initially inspired by the hypothesis that mass media attention given to sensational violent events may promote ideation in vulnerable individuals, in practice what our analysis tests is whether or not temporal patterns in the data indicate evidence for contagion, by whatever means. In truth, and especially because so many perpetrators of these acts commit suicide, we likely may never know on a case-by-case basis who was inspired by similar prior acts, particularly since the ideation may have been subconscious. But they do tend to leave behind a manifesto or social media history that can point to their thinking and influencing factors.