New methods inspire copycats; the vector is often sensationalized mass/social media attention on killer, method.. Focus on victims.
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First wrote about role of attention in mass shootings in 2012, going on an analytic hunch. Piles of evidence since. https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/12/the-media-needs-to-stop-inspiring-copycat-murders-heres-how/266439/ …pic.twitter.com/O5UBP2F0DB
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It is perfectly possible to cover such a horrible event without excessive focus on the killer, or exact methods in painstaking detail.
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Mass killers come in a variety motivations, but they all want ATTENTION ON THEIR TERMS. Zero reason why we should comply so easily.
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There is no need for videos of panicked people on loop, or the killer's face endlessly flashed to have a sensible coverage or discussion.
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The road map to sensible coverage is possible, and I wrote about it in multiple pieces. Need editorial guidance—the opposite of censorship.pic.twitter.com/aiBG6K8h15
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Understanding the role sensationalized attention plays doesn't mean ignoring other factors. Of course the world is multi-causal.
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Many have been writing this for years. Zero headway. Media will talk about anything but media. People on social media better at restraint.
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Media: the next potential mass shooter is watching the current media coverage intently. Right now. Your coverage is a factor in this crisis.
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Yes, excessive focus on individual history is an illusion of knowledge and, sadly, a contributor to the problem.https://twitter.com/aj7773108/status/914852534380105729 …
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