<p>This thread may get deleted, but I feel that this topic must be seriously discussed. I am not posting this to offend anyone and I want everyone to be mature and civil about this.</p>
<p>When I read an article about George Sodini, the gym shooter, I could not help but think of certain threads on CC, especially in the College Life section. Sodini based his success and worth on attention from attractive women and even put them on a pedestal, "the young girls here [that] look so beautiful as to not be human, very edible." According to Sodini's blog, which was available for the public to see, he has not had sex since July 1990 and he has not slept with a girlfriend all night since 1982. </p>
<p>Based on the picture of him, I do not think he is an ugly man and it would be surprising if he was rejected solely because of his looks. Contrary to the profile of the stereotypical loner-shooter, he did not seem like the basement-dweller type. However, the article suspects that he was socially awkward and desperate. Sodini did not blame himself for his misfortunes, but decided to lash out his anger on society instead. The classic mass murderer tends to kill for the recognition they desire.</p>
<p>I am not suggesting that anyone here is going to be the next killer to make the national news or to even do atrocious acts of violence, but I'm sure some people resonate with the non-psychopathic side of his thoughts and feelings.</p>
<p>The sad thing is that the people who need to read this the most will either never admit it or get defensive and angry. </p>
<p>Remember, please be civil. This is not posted for malice towards anyone.</p>
<p>I think the take-away message here is to be aware of your own mental health, and don’t be afraid to seek help. I would hope that this is becoming more and more recognized, but there is no shame in utilizing the psychological services provided by your school or whatever (and everything is obviously confidential).</p>
<p>I think one thing in our society that leads to mass murders is that there’s a perception that seeking psychological help makes you weak, especially if you take drugs. There’s so much talk about over-medication that sometimes we can forget that people like the shooter in the OP really need to be medicated.</p>
<p>Definitely, Icarus. However, there are many psychologists that would not be able to recognize these problems easily, as they don’t have access to journals and unless in a hospital situation, can’t do extensive tests. It is difficult in the mental health field to catch these problems early, as the problem is usually a step ahead.</p>
<p>I felt so sorry to hear that this guy suffered so…and then OMG killed. What is wrong with our country? GUNS!!! </p>
<p>Sadly, this guy had a lot of things going for him: he wasn’t bad looking, he looked in shape, he had a job, had a house. But he also had an obsession he felt he wasn’t in control of (gotta get a girl) instead of finding something that he could control, like hobbies, or friendships. </p>
<p>I say: get rid of that gun and get a puppy. (girls like puppies anyway)</p>
<p>^ he was worth $250k, had a nice car, nice house, was healthy. what part of that sounds like suffering?</p>
<p>i don’t feel sorry for this guy, i feel sorry for the women he killed. he could have easily fixed his “problems.” how many people would give anything to be in the position he was?</p>
<p>^ There are millions of people who act just like this guy, it’s not so far fetched. I’m not saying that I feel sorry for him, but I just feel it’s a good way to spark a discussion that should be addressed.</p>