We've got a bit of self examination to do (Score 1)

Seriously. We have to ask questions about this kind of stuff. We have to defend out rights as well - puritans and the mis-informed, who may have what they believe is best for the world at heart - are going to latch on to **whatever they can** to use for blame in this tradedy.

That's a shame. But it's human nature - if something like this struck at your heart and family, you would be ready to blame anything as well. But a perspective on the rational must be maintained.

Instead of beginning to learn towards the insane, how about we ask questions like this:

What were the socio-economic circumstances that led to this event? What created an environment for these children whereby influences like Doom (alleged influences, that is) could have such a severe impact?

It's easy to blame Doom. It's easy to blame the media. But what's hard is to blame yourself. Through creating a culture of popularity and stratifying our schoolyards, we create boundries that people seek to break through with dramatic acts. If you are deemed a geek, then a geek you are. How do you change it? How do you get respect? How do you gain a 'higher level'?

Answer: you purchase items that place you in the higher strata class. You dress in a manner that befits a member of that class. You behave and act as if you were a member of that class. You assimilate.

If you are deemed a member of a class, and you can't break out of it, or you loathe every other class for simply being unlike you, and you can't change these circumstances ... you break. Anger follows. It's then that you're vunerable. The things that you like and respect (Quake?) become your weapons against those other classes. You'll show them. You're different, so what? You'll show them what it means to be a jock/geek/black/white etc.

Am I getting it right here? Comments? So in summary, I think what needs to be examined is not gun laws, or computer games, as they are but bandaid remedies for wider social concerns. Consumerism and a stratified culture and pecking order place enormous strain on those who aren't within 'acceptable bounds'.