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Joined 2 years ago
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Cake day: June 17th, 2023

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  • Summarised by Chat GPT:

    The article is an interview with two professors, Jillian Peterson and James Densley, who have conducted a comprehensive study on mass shooters in the US. They have created a database of every mass shooter since 1966 and interviewed some of them, as well as their families and friends. They have also talked to people who planned a mass shooting but changed their mind.

    The main findings of their research are:

    • Mass shooters share four common traits: childhood trauma, social isolation, suicidal thoughts and access to firearms.
    • Mass shooters often have a crisis point that triggers their violent behavior, such as a breakup, a job loss or a humiliation.
    • Mass shooters are not born evil or mentally ill, but rather they are shaped by their life experiences and circumstances.
    • Mass shooters can be prevented if they are identified and treated early, before they reach the point of no return.

    The article also discusses the challenges and implications of their research, such as:

    • The need for more funding and political will to address the root causes of mass shootings, such as mental health, social support and gun control.
    • The importance of changing the narrative and language around mass shooters, such as avoiding terms like “monster” or “lone wolf” that dehumanize them and obscure their motives.
    • The role of the media and the public in reducing the glorification and copycat effect of mass shootings, such as not naming the shooter or showing their manifesto.
    • The potential for using their database and methodology to study other forms of violence, such as domestic terrorism or hate crimes.