Humans.... WOW
As diverse and complicated a creature as human beings are, any attempt to pigeonhole the entire species psychologically is either bound to fail, or
laughable at best.
Yet there are some historical significant incidences that can and should shed light on why massacres such as the recent Colorado shooting occur.
The very fact that they seem to be "spaced" out, is perhaps a valid conspiracy itself and maybe some astute ATS Members will tackle that. For me, it
is the human mind that is involved in such things that is fascinating.
I used the noun "guns" in the start of my opening post, but this is really not about guns, except perhaps to influence minds not already made up
that any inanimate object will never be the cause of any act of violence perpetrated against another living soul. It really is all about the
psychology of violence, not the tool.
Just in support of my previous statements, let's look at some massacres that happened prior to the invention of firearms, or at least prior to
firearms becoming commonplace all over the world..
Firearms were invented in the 12th century in China, after the Chinese had invented gunpowder in the 9th century. These inventions were later
transmitted to the Middle East and to Europe.
Link
Taking that date range into account, I think we can all agree that firearms did not become commonplace until well after the 13th Century.. So let us
look at some of the better known massacres that happened prior to that range of dates
Note: I am considering a massacre to either be NON-Military or at least have its start in a non-military manner
Date: 390.. Place: Thessaloniki, Macedonia... Dead: 7000
Date:; Nov. 13th, 1002... Place: various cities, England... Dead.. Unknown.. Probable 40 to 400 in "one" day
Date: December 30, 1066... Place: Granada, Al-Andalus.. Dead.. 4000.. IN ONE DAY.. wow
Date: May 1182... Place: Constantinople, Byzantine Empire.. Dead: 60,000–80,000
(Wholesale massacre of all Latin (Western European) inhabitants of Constantinople by a mob.)
IN ONE MONTH
Link 2
Okay.. So I have made a point here hopefully.. (More info in the link) The point is that, while not intentionally being heartless here, the shootings
we have seen recently, Colorado, Virginia, FT Hood ETC, Are nothing compared to what humans have shown themselves capable of throughout history.
Every death is tragic yes, and to be avoided or prevented at all costs, yet we are discussing massacres here so as much as I feel for the victims and
their families, the reality is that except for wars (Even then, it is TPTB in control that is the "fault"), guns have nothing to do with a
massacre.. Humans on the other hand do.
So, what causes humans to kill on such a scale?
If I could answer that, I would be very very rich and even more famous. What I can do is look at some of the psychology involved as well as other
factors..
Factors that have been involved in massacres historically
1. Ethnicity
2. Religion
3. Revenge
4. Politics
5. Anger?
Now that list is interesting in regards to ATS. What do I mean? If you look at the really controversial topics on ATS, ones that generally become
heated and yes, get people in trouble on a polite site, you will find those topic related to the list above.
All more or less human concepts, all volatile, all potentially destructive to the human psyche.. Trust me when I tell you in my career I have had to
deal with violence perpetrated due to that list on more occasions then I care to remember. Add family troubles to that and you have what I have been
handling for 27 years.
So why the question mark for anger? Why is it even included? In recent massacres it would seem that the perpetrators are “calm, cool and
collected” and anger does not seem to play a part. Or does it? Anger is not always readily apparent, especially if that anger has been within the
person for a long period of time. Humans do adapt to almost everything we experience in life, including anger. So while it is not always easily
discernible, could it be effecting the individuals psychology and thereby also their actions and thoughts? I would say yes.
So no, I do not have any answers, I have only questions like the rest of you. I just know there MUST be some kind of a paradigm change for all of
humanity before we step away from killings on a mass scale, or really even for killing in general.
Some things I want to cover later on as this progresses in my mind are
1. Does the existence of the Death Penalty only further such incidents as the mind can use such things as the {"State having the authority to
kill---I am part of the state---These people deserve to die"} to justify violence?
2. Can we look at "Mob Violence" particularly prevalent recently in riots and "Wild West Hanging Parties" as another psychological justification
for killing?
3. Do Combat Vets have a higher propensity for mass violence due to their exposure to death on a scale civilians almost never see?
4. As we have heard in movies, does the killing become easier after the first one?
I would love any input ATS Members may have on the questions I have listed as well as my thoughts posted so far.
More to come
Thank you
Semper
