I was just channel surfing the TV when I ran across this Breaking News. It seems another nut with a gun went on a rampage. This time at a mall. Right at the moment 3 dead including the shooter and a police officer wounded. I can’t use words to describe how tragic an event like this is. That being said I wanted to talk about the media coverage a little.
One of the first questions I heard the reporter ask to no one in particular was, “What type of mall security do we have?” He immediately followed that up with, “How can we prevent this from happening again?” And the grand finale, “How can we go to the mall and feel safe?” We ask the experts…
Sensationalism + Media = Mass Stupidity
Lets get real about the whole security from gun toting maniacs thing for a minute. The first thing to remember is the operative word is maniac, the gun is just the tool. Take away the gun and the maniac will find a way to kill ten people at a time instead of one. Honestly, what are we going to do? I know, lets put and armed guard everywhere the public gathers and pray he’s not having a bad day.
I think the media is a big part of the problem. They are the ones that immortalize these otherwise nobodies. Do you not think nutcases watch TV?
Each time something tragic happens we get sensationalized fear embedded into us by the media. Everybody wondering what they can do to make their next trip for a gallon of milk a safe one. Our society is becoming a bunch of scared wimps that won’t go to the bathroom without a 9mm within easy reach.
Don’t show me 27 hours worth of 15 second video. If there is a nutcase on the lose at the time, then yes I would like to be updated about that. But if its something that has happened and its over then tell me about it on the 6 o’clock news. I’m using me here figuratively, but imagine its a nutcase watching the same news. The real tragic thing, it will only get worse and never get any better. And believe me it will get worse… Why? Because we all watch the news.
