Wow, the bottom dropped out on gunz topics over in GD.

[Eleanors38]

Must be the gross violation of Narrative.

I renew my proposal to discuss the phenomenon of mass murder in the context of Celebrity Culture (and politics as necessary). I have noticed a number of criticisms of MSM on line which center on its rather narrow, oft-repeated gun-ban outlook as a lens for analysis. One critic pointed to the laudatory comments of one mass murderer; the attention received; the coverage, the history-making, etc. The person who authored those admiring comments was the next murder junkie.

Looking at these events with a wider field of view might be instructive not only to MSM, but to the rest of us who who "consume" news of these events. As a starter, I suggest not mentioning the name of the punk-stink who does the killing, or dwelling on his/her "philosophy," recently-grafted-on religiosity, or feelings of power, etc. This is not to say we should curtail investigations, study, etc. An impossible idea anyway. But I support changing the zeitgeist from wide-eyed amazement at the actions of some skid mark, and substituting an atmosphere of casual dismissal, denigration and de-personalization of the slaughter-boy. Let's reduce the postmortem glory these crap sacks enjoy before-hand (lord knows the script is lovingly laid out for them, predictable as a Fifties Western), and give them nothing to act on in the first place. Life means nothing to them, only celebrity and a measure of immortality (admittedly, of some value these days). So let us not afford them even that.

MSM handles this stuff the same way every time, so its no wonder folks just bow deeper to their hand-helds and say "I don't want to talk about it." Let's take some individual action, however meager, to establish "community" in an online world which is anathema to such. Maybe it will catch on and be supported by those who grind out the news.

Good thoughts, everyone.

[jonno99]

1. I wasn't going to say anything, but uh, yep...nt

[DonP]

2. Short attention span, no focus and no infrastructure

That's a big reason why they rant and rave, but never get anything done.

That's why they have to accept an occasional hide or suspension as a "Big Gun Control Victory" and just talk to themselves in their safe haven group.

[doc03]

3. ?

[virginia mountainman]

4. It typically does..

When a movement requires suspension of critical thinking, and lots of emotional reaction, it tends to fall apart when the emotions calm down, and critical thinking takes over.

This is why the rush to ram thru poorly thought out laws in the wake of any massacre.

This is why we win... We are still here, working, when they are distracted by "other things" like a pokemon game..

I wonder why they are not calling far a ban on trucks, that line of thinking fits them well... Blame the object, not the person with it...

[Duckhunter935]

5. Squirrel

[Nuclear Unicorn]

6. "This is not to say we should curtail investigations, study, etc."

Agreed. Full investigations can be conducted without the media feeding the killers' craving for notoriety. We don't need a law to do this, just a refinement of journalistic ethics, such as the voluntary prohibition on publishing the names of minors and victims of sexual assault.