[jennie]

trigger warning

I have been reading the diaries linked from this Columbine article.

I understand suicidal behavior. It makes sense to me. Depression usually is the cause.

I do not understand homicidal behavior.

These teens view the video game DOOM as this:
</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
"Doom is a first-person 'shoot-em-up' style game. So basically, one runs around levels and shoots at monsters with military weaponry. To most people it may be just another silly computer game, but to me it is an outlet for my thoughts and dreams." -- Harris, school essay Aug. 31, 1998.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

He wrote, "To most people it may be just another silly computer game, but to me it is an outlet for my thoughts and dreams" . . . ?????? Whoa! That's scary. How many teens are playing these violent video games? I'm gonna have to change my views on violence.

Looking at things in a new perspective, being a new mom . . . .

[bebop]

I heard a tidbit on the news tonight about the diaries being released. thanks for the link

[SeptemberMorn]

It's not bad enough it's staring me in the face on AOL! Now here, too???

[(JD)]

Anger turned outward, instead of just inward.

[Sujin]

The whole Columbine thing was a tragedy. However, I don't think it's fair when video games like "Doom" get targeted, just because these sick individuals were "inspired" by playing it.

The same goes for musical artists who get targeted by the general public and the media, such as Marilyn Manson, for "inspiring" violence, suicide, or whatever. These kids were mentally disturbed to begin with. My son (now in his late teens) has played "Doom" as well as other video games, and he is the best kid anyone could ever ask for. My boyfriend loves "Doom", and he has not gone on a killing spree.

People just need to take responsibility for their own actions.

Zen

[drunksunflower]

I mostly agree with Zen.

If not games, something else (perhaps alcohol or drug use) would have triggered them.

I am sure many of you are familiar with the diathesis-stress model. There is an underlying predisposition to something, which is 'triggered' by a 'stressor'. That's how I see a lot of antisocial behaviour as well as mental illness.

The flipside of those killing games is that that sort of thing is a release for some people who do want to take out their aggression on something. It's harmless - it's not on people or animals, it's in a fictional situation. This is also an argument for pornography - that being able to experience the fantasy through stimulus materials actually provides a release for a lot of people (rather than giving them 'ideas', which is what the moralists like to believe).

interesting and thanks for the link.

[(JD)]

IMO, from what I read about the studies done on the violent video games, after a period of time, they are um brainwashed?...not sure that's the term used... but it really isn't much of a choice, but their thinking is changed into that what the videos portray is normal and natural and quite acceptable...for them to do IRL... yes it is scary. Perhaps children that are stable in all areas of their lives don't suffer the tendencies to act out what they learn on videos? IDK.

[drunksunflower]

i've read research that says that's not the case ... hehe trying to work out what's actually going on is so hard!

[(JD)]

http://www.apa.org/releases/videogames.html
http://mentalhealth.about.com/cs/fam...meviolence.htmhttp://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8449[/url]

Those are links about the connection found between violent video games and increased aggression in the individuals. There is also evidence of violence on tv also having such effect...tv, where you are only watching, not totally immersed. (Based upon only 1 hour of tv watching a day.)

Common sense also tells us that the more someone is exposed to something, the person's response to that "something" is lessened... (i.e. exposure therapy!) in general.

A side note: with all the violence in the world today, why do we need to provide it in a game form anyway

[hillbunnyb]

images in, actions out...... the importance of positive role models..... exhaulting our baser instincts is not a good idea.

[Maven]

I don't condone what those teens did, but I do get it, to a point. They were teased and harassed, and for some teens, they can't handle that. It just becomes anger and hatred, and for some people, it eventually explodes.

I think those who are predisposed to it might be influenced by violent video games. Not everyone is. And just because you're exposed to something, doesn't mean it will make you become like it. Just because you're desensitized to something, doesn't mean you don't care. Doctors have to become desensitized to blood, screams of pain, dead bodies, and odors of sickness. But that doesn't mean they don't care.

I watched horror since I was a kid. I don't freak out because I see gore in a movie. But in real life, it's a whole other thing. Not everyone responds the same to what they see.

[LMo]

, as always

[drunksunflower]

_Sky:

I appreciate what you say about desensitisation.

Unfortunately since I'm not at university anymore I don't have easy access to a lot of the criminal justice journals I used to.

For every piece of research ... there will be another that says a different thing *sigh*. It is a hard thing to measure, simulated situations are so artificial too.

As Maven says, it is the predisposition thing that puts some people over the edge, imho

[desirae]

I think from the beginning, what emotional and mental issues and disorders they suffer from distort how they perceive games and fantasy. This twist es my gut, I just remember the day this happened and how nobody could understand why these boys did what they did. They were hurt and most definitely angry, that was obvious in everything they ever wrote. This just shows how anger can consume one's life.....it's almost like slow death or suicide.

[drunksunflower]

[Maven]

I understood, somewhat. I was teased and picked on in school, and felt a lot of hurt and anger. I didn't go off and kill people, but I just mean I understand the feelings of being picked on every day, especially when you try to ask for help and are either told not to be a "tattle tale," or when nobody does anything. I didn't understand why the teachers joked around with and were often friendlier with the kids who always caused trouble. The vicims of teasing are often told to toughen up and learn to deal with it. I agree that people need to learn to be strong, but I'm also sick of bullies getting away with their behavior.

Another thing about the Columbine kids: As usual, the parents weren't made to account for their behavior. I understand the killers' parents also lost their children, and I'm sure they suffered greatly as well, but why weren't they punished for not knowing their children had bombs in their bedrooms? It's one thing when kids hide stuff well, but as I understood, the bombs were easily found, and if the parents had been more involved in their kids' lives, they might have seen the bombs and signs sooner, and could have done something.