The argument is the young man felt like the TV character Dexter, and as a result of watching the show, became a copy-cat killer who emulated the fictional murderer from the TV program.
In the book, the issue of copy-cat crimes is discussed. Do you buy that this happens?
Watch the episode here:
http://abc.go.com/watch/2020-/SH559026?cid=google_news_sem
One of the biggest arguments against television, including the news, is that the violence seen can lead children to be more violent in their everyday actions. Parents and critics nationwide have argued back saying that if children know the difference from right and wrong, and they know when something on tv is real or not, they are not going to be influenced by what they see on tv. Well....here's the thing. The news IS real! While this statement may be true when it comes to video games and movies, it cannot logically be applied to the news. And this story is a perfect example of it. Here we have a guy saying that he felt like Dexter, a fictional tv character. Ok....so here is the influence from tv. But, I just wonder how many people who commit crime are now going to try and use this same excuse(I turned into a character on tv) to try and explain away their criminal actions. I think that by further showing these stories, and by making such a big deal about them, we are just adding fuel to the fire and giving possible criminals more options and excuses for the crimes they may commit.
ReplyDeleteI have trouble relating to this sort of thing just because I can separate reality from fiction. So it is hard for me to buy this sort of thing, but I think that if the conditions are right this may happen. I heard a story today in my contemporary CJ class about an 18 year old who thought he was in a video game, stole a car, got arested the assaulted a police officer stole his gun killed him and another police officer and a dispatcher, and stole a police car. All because he though he was in a game. This seems to be becoming more of a thing, but i still think it is on the parents to limit what their children play and watch.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that the media directly influences copycat killing and some components of psychological studies on learned behavior are similar: studies have shown (such as the Bobo doll studies) that children are more likely to be violent when they are exposed to violence. However, in the case of video games, it is usually children that are already pre-disposed to being violent that exude violent behavior. While it may be argued that copycats derive their motivations from the media, it is likely they would have committed the same crime albeit in a different fashion. Violence would have occured, whether it was exacted in the same manner as Dexter or not.
ReplyDeleteThe media report on violent and unusual stories. This case is unusual because we hear about copy cat killers but it rarely happens. This case is also unusual because the teen emulated a fictional character from a television show rather than an actual killer reported on by the news. I have watched the show Dexter and it is filled with violence and graphic content. The show is about Dexter, who is a blood analyst that kills people and hides his crimes. In a way, Dexter is portrayed as a good guy who kills people so they can not harm anymore people. The teen supposedly copied murders done by the character Dexter. The media also reports on juveniles when it involves bad news. The teen ended up committing murder. I would think that someone that age would know the difference between a television show and reality. I would also think that he would know that committing murder is not acceptable or excusable. But this story does make one wonder how the media and television can impact the thoughts and actions of the impressionable youth.
ReplyDeleteMore and more TV Shows think they show how "Edgy" they are by portraying a "Complicated character" by having a Sociopath be a hero.
ReplyDeleteWell they are full of nonsense. A Sociopathic Hero is an Oxymoron. It is completely impossible.
I can relate to those who find this type of thinking difficult to fathom. We know it is ALWAYS wrong to kill in Cold Blood. And it is hard to comprehend how anyone couldn't know that?
Dexter is one such show to attempt (badly) to make a hero of a Sociopath through highly unlikely circumstances and completely non-credible scenarios that most people can't accept even in a TV Show.
Another Show displaying such a total disregard for vulnerable minds is a British Show called 'Doctor Who'. The show was originally created back in 1963 to teach young British children about History but quickly evolved into a full-blown science fiction show. It remained wholesome enough until 1989 when it was canceled. When it returned in 2004 it was a little edgier. But still suitable for most young children to watch. BUT in 2010 a new writer took over and he slowly revealed that a character who initially was just an over-bearing nag, was in fact a cold-blooded serial killer who was obsessed with the Lead Character the Doctor.
To hear the moronic head writer natter on about River Song, you'd think he was in love with this horrifying sociopath. And shockingly many consider a character who held the universe hostage and refused to allow the Dr to fix it unless he married her. Yes, this scenario is not possible to replicate. BUT how about if a woman got a hold of a detonator to a bomb and she refused to let a man she was obsessed with disarm the bomb unless he married her. Would anyone call HER a hero? Especially if there were innocent men, women and children inside the building? That's the equivalent of what that character did.
And some WANT Han Solo to be a sociopath?! I wonder if all these people are in fact mentally ill and maybe even sociopaths (or suspect they are) and that is why they call these sick disgusting characters "Heroes".
They ARE NOT heroes nor are they Anti-Heroes. They are mentally disturbed characters who are portrayed as being more acceptable and cool then their real-life counterparts ever could be.
Many also lack common sense. They cite Han Solo shooting that bounty hunter as proof he is a sociopath. Uh, the character was carefully scripted By George Lucas as shooting the bounty hunter because he was about to kill Han! Sheesh! I got that the first time I saw the movie 'Star Wars' and I was 8 or 9 yrs old at the time.
And they want to believe Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter) is insane. Uh,no. She is just eccentric. not insane. I'm not a big Potter fan so if she had been insane, I would have said so.
Again, I think they want to believe the worse about these characters in order justify their own bizarre behavior. Where's Dr Phil when you need him? If he's done a special about these types in the past,I would love to know when. I would happily share his conclusions with some who I think really need a major reality check.