Only 3 school mass shootings between 1903-1966. Didn't take off until the 90s

[+] h2odragon|3 years ago|reply

The 90s were thew era of "Zero Tolerance" stupidities that punished the victims and protected the bullies. "Jocks vs Nerds" tensions got official teeth; and the Nerds were the targets.

Columbine "started a conversation about bullying" when it was a well known "we just don't talk about it" feature of life. There was a feeling that maybe the troublesome kids could be beaten into shape by the "good kids".

That didn't work so they switched to participation trophies and "awareness" campaigns.

[+] epakai|3 years ago|reply

In 1966 half of all children (in the US) weren't even completing high school. This thread is a disjointed set of "facts", just asking questions, and implying issues without any real analysis or insight.

[+] beardyw|3 years ago|reply

At first I was a bit squeamish about the phrase "take off". But on reflection it's suggestion of something being fashionable is probably sadly accurate.

[+] thawaya3113|3 years ago|reply

Yet overall crime went down in the mid 90s all the way until the late 2010s.

Any explanation based on mental illness, lack of stable parenting, Ritalin, lack of community, etc. needs to explain why all these negative impacts only affect shootings in schools, while apparently far more mentally ill, drug addled 18 year olds decided to stop committing crimes outside schools in much greater percentages.

[+] t-3|3 years ago|reply

Relentless pressure to conform and be a "team player" + massive levels of doublethink and hypocrisy + lack of parental guidance and care even in two-parent households because everyone has to work and has no time and energy for raising children.

Also definitely a big portion of attention-seeking. If you want to be "seen" or "heard", a pretty sure-fire way is to shoot a bunch of people, especially the vulnerable and innocent. Where better than a school? Media has been told over and over again that they create copycats, but their profit motive prohibits reform.

[+] anthk|3 years ago|reply

Now compare them against Europe and Australia.

Also, for Americans blaming it for the lack of "religiousness"...

Most of Europe it's more secular than ever and yet we don't have mass shootings.

Guess whay.

[+] qiskit|3 years ago|reply

> Most of Europe it's more secular than ever and yet we don't have mass shootings.

13 comments