What Makes People Like James Holmes Do What He Did?

1. 71

   crazyhorsesghostposted 11 years ago

   What Makes People Like James Holmes Do What He Did?
   
   What makes people like James Holmes do what he did. How can a person just get up one day and decide today I'm going to go shoot a bunch of people. What can we do to stop people like this from carrying out things like the Auroa Theater Shooting. What do we do.
   
   

   replyreport
2. 38

   ChristinSposted 11 years ago

   If only there was a simple answer for that perhaps we could prevent such tragedies.  I am not sure that we can do anything to stop such behaviors, but we can be more involved and aware.  I have to believe that most people who do things like this do give warning signs.  The Virginia Tech guy is a primary example.  Had someone intervened earlier and gotten him the help he needed, perhaps it wouldn't have evolved into that tragedy.  A lot of people noticed things were not right with him, yet nothing was ever done.  I also believe that mental illness does carry a stigma and it prevents people from seeking help.  Perhaps they fear they will be seen as weak or powerless or something.  I don't know... I doubt anyone does. 
   
     I personally would like to see people stop being so afraid of each other and paranoid.  This leads us as a society to become too self-involved and less empathetic with others.  When we lose empathy we often don't see what's right in front of our faces. 
   
     As for me personally, I will continue to live happily, love and help others,  and hope that i never encounter such an individual - but I refuse to be overtaken by hatred and terror as people like this intend to inflict on society.

   replyreport
3. 72

   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   He did not just one day decide to go kill people. His actions were thought out before hand. His home was too difficulty and strategically planted with defenses for him to only be like this for a few months. He is highly intelligent, but something happened. If there were more information about him and his history, I would be able to comment more easily. However, he must like the last Batman movie with Heath Ledger as the Joker, maybe admire him. Yet he did not commit murder just because of this film. He wanted and has considered killing for a while, and probably has, but when the film came out he could not resist. It posed a good option. Still, he didn't think everything out. Especially since the Joker's hair has never been green! That probably irritates me above all.

   replyreport
4. 57

   manningndposted 11 years ago

   The simple answer is because he thought it was a good idea. As for what we do about it... nothing. People like this have existed throughout recorded history, whatever makes them tick carries across cultures, religions, geographic boundaries, and political structures. Wherever you are, be aware of your surroundings and have an exit strategy. Don't fret or obsess or stay up late at night, statistically you are unlikely to be murdered; just be a little more aware. And enjoy life while you have it, because the one thing that is certain is one day you will lose it.

   replyreport