[Bear_Slayer]

Could it be there are simply too many people in one spot sometimes?

Yes.

I watched a film in High School science, years ago, that demostrated a few rats in cages. Food, water, and space were ample. However, as the rats reproduced and food, water, and space decreased, the violence, which was previously almost non-existent, shot up.

I move out ot the city 5 years ago.

I live in the woods, in one of the least populated states in the US.

I'm much calmer.

[uncbob]

One of the most densly populated places on earth is Hong Kong

Violence there ( at least before the commies took over ) was nothing compared to the major US Cities