Sensationalist media shares culpability by giving this kind of behaviour a strong presence in the public collective consciousness. Being talked about is a powerful reinforcement signal, we are programmed to seek positive reinforcement from the groups with which we identify and negative from 'the enemy.' With the increasing alienation of modern life, it is not difficult to see how this can lead to senseless violence in extreme cases.
The whole thing is a vicious circle, this kind of news has to be sensationalised because we have been steadily desensitised by the media.
As a teenager in the 90s, I remember getting mildly claustrophobic at the thought of watching another Movie or TV Show about a hijacked plane or hostage situation. There were just so many building up to 9/11. Essentially, the messages were things like 'Enemies of America hijack planes', 'Radical citizens plant bombs', and now 'Angry employees/students show up with automatic weapons and body armour.' These are as much statements as they are calls to action.
Let's take a look at this year's Emmy nominations for the best actor category, these actors play: a ruthless corrupt bootlegging politician-gangster, a high school chemistry teacher turned murdering drug kingpin, a vigilante serial killer working in law enforcement, a terrorist war-hero congressman secretly radicalised in captivity and an alcoholic misogynistic deserter ad executive with a stolen identity. The only leading character that does not belong in prison is from a British production. Perhaps this category should be renamed the 'Best Magnificent Bastard' award.
America has this fascination with revealing its weaknesses to 'enemies - both foreign and domestic' and celebrating monsters. Most people learn early on that, unless one is trying to play and remain the victim, painful memories and weaknesses should not be put on public display for the casual friend, enemy and stranger.
The whole thing is a vicious circle, this kind of news has to be sensationalised because we have been steadily desensitised by the media.
As a teenager in the 90s, I remember getting mildly claustrophobic at the thought of watching another Movie or TV Show about a hijacked plane or hostage situation. There were just so many building up to 9/11. Essentially, the messages were things like 'Enemies of America hijack planes', 'Radical citizens plant bombs', and now 'Angry employees/students show up with automatic weapons and body armour.' These are as much statements as they are calls to action.
Let's take a look at this year's Emmy nominations for the best actor category, these actors play: a ruthless corrupt bootlegging politician-gangster, a high school chemistry teacher turned murdering drug kingpin, a vigilante serial killer working in law enforcement, a terrorist war-hero congressman secretly radicalised in captivity and an alcoholic misogynistic deserter ad executive with a stolen identity. The only leading character that does not belong in prison is from a British production. Perhaps this category should be renamed the 'Best Magnificent Bastard' award.
America has this fascination with revealing its weaknesses to 'enemies - both foreign and domestic' and celebrating monsters. Most people learn early on that, unless one is trying to play and remain the victim, painful memories and weaknesses should not be put on public display for the casual friend, enemy and stranger.