In case you're not a regular New Yorker reader, Malcolm Gladwell (Tipping Point, David and Goliath) had some unique thoughts on school shootings/shooters.
How School Shootings Spread - The New Yorker
NOTE: This is not an endorsement of the New Yorker or Gladwell, just thought some may find it interesting. If anything, I applaud that he didn't turn this into a gun debate. I realize that's not really Gladwell's thing (he's more of a social psychologist) but still...it's the New Yorker, after all. I'm sure they were disappointed he didn't make a gun control argument.
Basically, his premise is this: there were some demented, deeply psychotic individuals (Dylan Klebold, Eric Harris) who took this demented behavior and made it seem normal. He suggests that the key figure in [what the liberal media perceives as] a rise in school and campus violence is Eric Harris, the architect of Columbine. He's become a kind of heroic, mythological figure in this subculture of school shooters.
Shooters in recent days, post-Columbine? They talk about Eric Harris. They worship Eric Harris. They mimic the things he does—and his attack.
And, because of Columbine and other attacks like it, it makes the next one easier to commit. Like in a riot, the first person who throws the rock is a lot more radical than a 100th person.
Hear me on this: I'm not suggesting that I agree with even half of what he says. But as 2A supporters, gun owners and human beings, we should all abhor school shootings...not only because they kill innocent people, but because it makes our lifestyles that much more difficult. And I just think he makes some interesting points that, thankfully, that the debate out of the "gun control" realm.
How School Shootings Spread - The New Yorker
NOTE: This is not an endorsement of the New Yorker or Gladwell, just thought some may find it interesting. If anything, I applaud that he didn't turn this into a gun debate. I realize that's not really Gladwell's thing (he's more of a social psychologist) but still...it's the New Yorker, after all. I'm sure they were disappointed he didn't make a gun control argument.
Basically, his premise is this: there were some demented, deeply psychotic individuals (Dylan Klebold, Eric Harris) who took this demented behavior and made it seem normal. He suggests that the key figure in [what the liberal media perceives as] a rise in school and campus violence is Eric Harris, the architect of Columbine. He's become a kind of heroic, mythological figure in this subculture of school shooters.
Shooters in recent days, post-Columbine? They talk about Eric Harris. They worship Eric Harris. They mimic the things he does—and his attack.
And, because of Columbine and other attacks like it, it makes the next one easier to commit. Like in a riot, the first person who throws the rock is a lot more radical than a 100th person.
Hear me on this: I'm not suggesting that I agree with even half of what he says. But as 2A supporters, gun owners and human beings, we should all abhor school shootings...not only because they kill innocent people, but because it makes our lifestyles that much more difficult. And I just think he makes some interesting points that, thankfully, that the debate out of the "gun control" realm.