Video games are an easy culprit for the politicians and others. I’m a geezer and I’ve been playing video games of all kinds since the early 70s, as an adult. My sons and their friends, and all of the young people I served with during my military career played them and I don’t know of one who has ever been noted as a mass killer.
In the 50s and 60s it was rock music, along with TV, along with beach movies. In my parents generation it was jazz, swing. Each generation has had social conventions that were blamed for the upcoming downfall of civilization.
The problem is the media and political “glamorization” of shootings. For some, mentally disturbed, or otherwise feeling left out, even horrendous publicity that puts their names in lights is desired recognition when it is broadcast 24/7 for weeks on end.
This kid wasn’t left out......honored for his football playing and involved with his peers. This is a kid who wanted to kill people and did. He thought and laid out his plan in detail.....so he had plenty of time to back out. Why didn’t he? Because he intended to kill his peers period. Didn’t matter who they were.
I give him no space whatsoever......because you give these kids an inch and they’ll run you miles....he’s doing this already knowing full well the news is on this happening.
How much self loathing and frustration can young men endure? What happened to the positive, idealist young men who went ashore on Iwo Jima, when the average age was 18.