The Power of Attention

What we pay attention to grows and multiplies. We create more of it. What are we creating?

Look at all the horrible news on the media, it is non-stop when there is a mass school shooting or other sensational atrocity. You can bet that there will be copycats. The media attention inspires imitation by other unstable sorts. Columbine was the first, how many copycat school shootings have there been since then?

It is my firm conviction that bar a brief announcement, that events of this nature should have a total news blackout. No pictures of the shooter on TV or in the paper; news only to those who have a need to know. Mourning, but no nine days wonder. It only gives the other nutballs ideas. With all the ugly images out there the last few days. I felt an urge to just fly in the face of the whole phenomenon.

Ghouls on crack are what we have become. Every detail does not have to be known except by those whose near and dear were there, or those with a need to know for keeping us safe. If someone is so all consumingly curious let them file a FOIA (freedom of information act request) It’s no secret, but we breed more of the same by giving it so much attention.

Tell me, what does a paranoid, feeling ignored, wanting recognition sad case need to do for attention? Look at the evening news, and every news program for 24/7 ideas about how to get noticed. It is like adding menu options in the bar above your screen; new ways to act when you aren’t happy with life. Do we really need to expand their menu to more atrocities than their tiny little minds can dream up on their own?