opinions influenced by the media?

[Xugumad]

I submitted a 3-page reply explaining that current psychoanalyis doesn't think that you could turn into a _planning_ (serial) killer, like the Columbine ones, without being afflicted by _specific_ extroverted violent psychopathic derangements.

I explained that the vast majority of violent disorders are introverted, and that self-mutilation is very common, with manic depression being by far the most common mental disorder in the US.

I linked to Tony's posting in the 'hope for us all' thread to show that even if you went to hellmouth-like experiences in school, you don't *have* to turn violent against others in a lethal way. It's very unlikely, unless you suffer from specific mental disorders.

I then linked to
http://abcnews.go.com/onair/GoodMorn...k_feature.html
... and I tried to show that guns and media glorification of guns as well as the continuous portrayal of guns and violence as being a means of 'defense' quite possibly contributes to enhancing such psychopathic views of one's environment.

It took me 45 minutes to write.

I didn't have cookies turned on.

My browser ate it. I couldn't resubmit, 'Back' and the obligatory 'Refresh/Reload' gave me a blank submission box.

Sometimes I think I know what violent killers must feel like. Of course, I want to violently kill a monitor, but the only weapon in this house is that knotted rope that the dog is chewing on right now.. and she growled at me when I tried to grab it so I could swing it at the computer.

I also ate a Philly cheesesteak sandwich today, made in one of the southern states. My first proper philly cheesesteak, I think. It was incredible.

I think that's what ultimately separates the sane people from the insane ones. We realize that life is full of tasty sandwiches. They only see the empty wrappers.

X.