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Originally Posted by Kenswing
One thing that really hasn't been mentioned is Social Media. There has been a definite increase in mass shootings since the advent of Social Media.
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True, this is also associated with the growth of access/use of the internet, not just social media.
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The news media presents almost nothing but divisive issues anymore. "If it bleeds it leads".. Amazing how this country is split almost down the middle on social issues.
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"Back in the day" News on radio and TV were not profit centers. One day the bean counters figured out they could monetize news and the downward spiral began and it was "news" only if it could be spun to make a buck.
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Then add in forums like this. Well maybe not exactly like this since this forum is multifaceted with the discussion of many issues. But look at forums that are dedicated to certain topics. Those forums present one side of an issue. You get some impressionable kid and egg him on, instill hate and violence and you have a recipe for disaster. Look how many kids spend their days online. For some it is their only social interaction.
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Kids in general are peer group driven. The bully phenomena pre-dates the internet, and was/is somewhat driven by the praise they get from "peers" for a good "burn". On the internet anyone can be a bully and get away with it since they are anonymous. And the "rewards" are even greater (likes, shares and subscribers).
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This problem is way bigger than firearms. Bullying, mental health, media input, self biases.. You name it, they can all contribute. But until we find the root cause this will continue to happen.
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Completely agree with you - 100%.
Most suggestions are treating the symptoms and not the problem. Not to say that while we are looking for the cause we should do nothing, but the problem(s) will not go away until we treat the root cause.
I personally think we are in a civilization wide transition period of information overload.
We, as humans are having a hard time adapting to (dealing with) all the changes. The internet is a big one - it is resulting in a zero cost (profitable?) ability to spread hate and anger, it is resulting in too much information, information overload making it hard to know who or what to believe.
There is a theory among people searching for extraterrestrial life (aliens) that while there are many inhabited planets out there most civilizations kill themselves off once they reach the level of technological advancement where they can.
We are at that level now, and it does feel sometimes like we are not going to get through this phase of the "industrial" revolution.