The Human Condition

Like you, over my 43 odd years on this Earth, I like to think I've become pretty good at reading people. But the reality is just when I think I've got them figured out, something or someone throws me such a curve ball and I'm so unprepared, it usually smacks me in the face.

I'm fairly certain movies, video games, and advertising are not the reasons...but perhaps I'm putting a little too much faith in humanity when I say that. Does that make me an elitist? I know I'm not impressionable enough to act out things that I see on the TV screen...

I agree with you on this point. Most reasonalbe, intelligent, thinking people would also agree. Maybe it does make us elitist in the sense of our ability to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the story or game or whatever. I think there are very few people who would or could be manipulated by movies or games, but it does happen. We could as easily blame the rise of reality television and that it has clouded and confused young people so much they don't know what it real anymore. Or we could blame the war in Iraq or rising unemployment or lack of opportunities or too many opportunities or lack of faith, family network support, low bank accounts or whatever. But what I want to know is when the blame will fall to the instruments: guns.

I'm fairly certain movies, video games, and advertising are not the reasons.

Your doubt about the validity of this statement is very well justified. I never believed it for this simple reason: If advertising (movies and video games are very similar in their effect to advertising) has no effect why is it the main tool of marketting? they have a huge effect on products and services and they initiate certain behaviors and they affect the young and the personable the most. but they affect all of us to a certain degree whither we are aware of it or not. If they were ineffective, why would they restrict ads for tobaco? why big businesses spend Billions on them? they are effective and they sell. violence, vulgarity, indecency and stupidity included.

the idea that these media are not responsible for what happens in the society is a myth that needs to be exposed and rooted out.

Like I said, perhaps I'm an elitist. All these advertisements never affect me in such a way as to brainwash me. I've become so accustomed to these annoyances that I don't listen to the propaganda associated with it. I look for the information, but not the glamour associated with it. I just have trouble believing that people could by in essence "hypnotized" but such a method. Just because I see a car commercial doesn't make me run out and buy a new one. If I see a movie promo, I say, "That looks cool" but I don't immediately go out and camp in front of the theater.

Marketing works upon simple minds and base desires. That's the point I'm trying to make. Unfortunately, it seems to work all too well, which makes me fear for the future of humanity.

Heh...hope I'm not sounding like an asshole...but that's just how I see it.

~Zoo

But what I want to know is when the blame will fall to the instruments: guns.

Guns do not wake up one day and decide to kill people.  They are an instrument.  Like a car or plane.  Used in the right manner, they are very useful.  But like all things, they can be abused.  Blaming the instrument is not the answer, as there are many other instruments out there just as deadly and just as readily available.  The tokyo Subway system was not machine gunned.

Doc, I have to disagree with you, in as much as if the guns weren't available, then the incidents wouldn't occur. I know it is in your constitution but maybe that part needs to be updated to reflect the modern society you live in. I still don't get why a person living in the suburbs of, lets say, Boston or Houston or New York needs to have a number of semi-automatic and automatic weapons or, for that matter, a high calibre pistol. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

I know guns are the instruments. I said as much. But I believe sometimes, their availiability DOES lend them blame.

I know guns are the instruments. I said as much. But I believe sometimes, their availiability DOES lend them blame.

Hmm...I think you're getting more at the temptation factor...which I can understand. A weapon sitting there does provide some ideas and allows for these actions to take place. Ultimately it's the person that commits the act, though, that takes the blame in my opinion.

~Zoo

Guns don't kill people, but they do make it easier to kill more people more quickly than say, a knife or a baseball bat.

But I believe sometimes, their availiability DOES lend them blame.

Is it in your constitution?

Martin John Bryant, armed with a bagful of automatic weapons, went on a killing spree in the tourist resort of Port Arthur in southern Tasmania state on April 28, 1996. Thirty-five people died.

Is Sarin Gas in the Japanese Constitution? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarin_gas_attack_on_the_Tokyo_subway

The legality or illegality of guns are not going to make a difference to those who have decided to do the deed.

Exactly. I agree with this. I saw on the news last night that one of the speakers picked up a gun and said..."this is a weapon of death."

My answer to that would be "it is also a weapon of protection."

This is not a gun issue. Even 20 years ago it wouldn't be unusual for many to be carrying a rifle or some weapon in the back of a truck. Guns were actually MORE prevalent and easy to get than they are now. I talked to the guy at my work and he said he remembers taking his gun to school. He was told to just keep it in his dorm. Many brought their guns to school so they could go hunting afterwards.

No, this is not a GUN issue. Guns don't kill. People do. If we take the guns away, the bad guys will get them as the law abiding citizens obey the law and give them up.