Saturday, July 21, 2012

Denver

By now most of you will have heard about what happened in Colorado during the Dark Knight Rises midnight screenings. The gunman does not deserve to have his name mentioned here. He does not deserve any degree of fame or notoriety. He is beyond pathetic. He is beneath contempt.

I'm not going to talk about the victims, the dead and the injured, because even as a writer I don't have the skills to put into words the senseless horror of what has happened. Neither am I going to talk about the friends and families who have lost loved ones. I try not to talk about things about which I know nothing- and I cannot imagine their pain or their grief.

Instead, I'm going to talk about Art, and life imitating Art, and Art imitating life.

This pathetic nobody of a person chose the Dark Knight Rises as the perfect place to make his bid for fame, and so people are going to start laying the blame at the feet of films. And those who aren't laying the blame on films are laying the blame on video games- because they like films, and they don't like video games. The pro-gun control people in the US are already blaming it on the availability of high-powered weaponry, and the anti-gun control people are, bizarrely, complaining that MORE people didn't have guns in that cinema. They appear to want a return to the days of the Wild West, where everyone was shooting at everyone else. Both sides will, invariably, start pointing their fingers at the movies, and at video games, for desensitising their children to violence and being the root of all evil in the world.

And this is not something I'm going to debate here. I've said it before on this Blog- video game violence densensitises children to video game violence. Real life violence is a TOTALLY different thing. It's real, for a start, which is something a lot of people tend to forget.

Let's think about another group of people who have been affected by this tragedy. It may seem shallow to start pitying the poor filmmakers, but as a writer I can at least begin to understand what they must be going through. They've spent the last few years of their lives making this movie. They've spent the last few months gearing up for its release. They've spent the last few weeks worrying and fretting and fidgeting. And they've spent the last few days in shock, after some pathetic loser hijacked a night that was supposed to be a celebration, and twisted it into something disgusting.

No matter what this loser's proposed motivation might turn out to be, blaming the films he watched or the games he played or the books he read is as short-sighted as it is irresponsible. The plain fact of the matter is that the blame lies with one person and one person alone- the man with the gun. The man who opened fire. The man who decided to kill.

Lunatics seize their inspiration from all sorts of places- the Beatles' Helter Skelter and Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye stand out most prominently- but inspiration is not the same as motivation. Early reports suggest this loser may identify with the Joker. But does this mean Christopher Nolan or Heath Ledger share even one iota of blame? How can it? If the Joker wasn't an inspiration, then something else would have been. The inspiration doesn't matter. Watching The Dark Knight didn't make this loser kill. Only the motivation matters. Why did he kill? What went so wrong in his life that he did this? What went so wrong in his head that he pulled the trigger?

Whenever I hear about another mass shooting in America, or anywhere around the world, a part of my mind always slips away to wonder how I'd react if I had written something like that into my books. When I was writing Kingdom of the Wicked, I had a sequence in mind for the super-powered teenagers to rampage through their school, killing and destroying as they go. When I got to the sequence, though, I paused.

Do I really want to write about teenagers killing their schoolmates? After everything that's happened? And what if I do write it, and the book is released, and a few months later there's another school shooting in the States? It'd have nothing to do with me or my books, obviously, but I'd still have used a horrible scenario that is all too real in a book that is meant simply to entertain.

What if, in Death Bringer, Melancholia had visited a cinema? What if she'd started killing people at random? After Thursday night, how would YOU, the reader, have felt about that? You'd never be able to see those chapters in the same way again, would you? It'd be forever tainted by life imitating Art.

But does that mean it shouldn't be written about? Should a writer shy away from such things on the off-chance that something similar might happen in the real world? Is there any way to actually answer that question and still consider yourself a decent human being?

Speaking for myself, I wasn't comfortable putting that onto paper. If this had been some other book, a book about these spree-killings, then I would have written it and I'd have been proud that I did. But to use it as an action sequence, primarily to entertain? No. I couldn't do it.

Writers, all artists in fact, have a duty to the truth. Stories are lies- no matter what genre they plug into- but the writer must seek the truth in the lie. They must be honest. And in order to be honest, they must reflect the world around them. Simply by doing that, though, they run the risk of life veering too close to their Art, and they risk being tainted by association. But I genuinely believe, with the whole of my heart, that it's a risk they have to take.

My condolences to the friends and families of those who have been hurt or killed in this evil act.


282 comments:

1 – 200 of 282   Newer›   Newest»
Niamhy Jay said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Niamhy Jay said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

whats the point of killing all those people? some people are just mainiacs...

Niamhy Jay said...

Derek, I completely Agree with your post.
That THING -doesn't even deserve the title human or person- is disgusting. NOTHING can justify what was done.

Niamhy Jay said...

I still fail to understand something so horrible can be done.

Colleen McGuigan said...

I heard that on the radio back from Dublin yesterday :'(

Lynxia Lost said...

... That was beautiful Derek. Art must be considered in every way.

Luciana said...

Another entry.
And now to read.

Niamhy Jay said...

On twitter I tweeted a Photo of something someone wrote on Facebook.

He's trying to get it seen by Christian Bale so he will go to the Hospital and visit all the injured dressed up as Batman
I think it is a good Idea.
It was actually a post on Lynxia's blog.

Ayesha said...

I don't understand people like them. I mean that person took away innocent lives, and for what? What had they ever done to him? People like them make me sick! I don't even want to know what's going on in their heads to make them do such a terrible act!!!

Colleen McGuigan said...

That man was crazy... Noone started killing people with 'Avada Kedavra' At the Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Premier, so why should he do that...? I feel sorry for those peoples families that got killed :'( xx

Harriet Lemon Langley said...

This is a really sensitive response to this subject. I too was concerned that the film itself and games would be targeted. You articulated this really thoughtfully and I'm linking this to friends who I'd earlier talked to about what would be blamed for this. My heart goes out to all those affected.

Lynxia Lost said...

Missy showed that to me NJ! I can't believe you got it from my blog!! *feels honoured for some reason*

Will you guys do me a favour and read the start of my new fan fic on my blog?

Niamhy Jay said...

I will Lynx :)

Illustria (GNoire) said...

I cannot comprehend why anyone would ever do something so horrible, so disgusting.
That failure of humankind must not exist.

Niamhy Jay said...

*thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the lives lost and those that were injured*

AndrewTheNerd said...

Did you hear that he posted a threat on 9gag.com that everyone thought was a joke.

AndrewTheNerd said...

NJ. Why would you post that on such a serious matter?

Niamhy Jay said...

That is just Disgusting!

Niamhy Jay said...

Post what?

AndrewTheNerd said...

It's kind of disrespectful.

Lynxia Lost said...

A threat and nobody took it seriously? Oh God, I need to be sick...

Niamhy Jay said...

What did I say?

AndrewTheNerd said...

Like 'FIRST!'.
I mean, just my opinion but I thought it was a little disrespectful...

Niamhy Jay said...

What did I say??

I'm sorry if I offended anyone.

Lynxia Lost said...

Andrew, she hadn't read the post yet.

Niamhy Jay said...

I am sorry. I hadn't read the post at that stage if you read my second comment you will see that I go to read after it.

I am sorry if I upset anyone. That was not my intention.
I did not mean to be Disrespctful.

Luciana said...

NJ, Andrew is Andrew. Don't bother.

Andrew. You're amazing. This is a delicate matter, please try your best not to make things worse by making others feel bad.

Holly said...

As someone who has been not only shocked, horrorstruck and disgusted by the events that happened but also disgusted at the linkage to the hard-worked-for films being blamed the violence and the fame the egotistical (insertcursehere) surely wanted being given to him, thanks for putting my thoughts and feelings into more coherent words. I hope that everyone in hospital makes a full recovery and that the world doesn't let the murderer get his wish.

Lynxia Lost said...

I'm gonna have to go now guys. Sally's returned from work. :L

*hugs*

Bye!!

Min (Thalia) said...

Thank you for this post, Derek. It was beautifully written and accurate.

Niamhy Jay said...

I would not have said that if I had. It is a sort of habit.
To try and get first comment on here if you are a regular commenter on this blog.

I am sorry. I didn't mean to be disrespectful. I apologize profusely for that.

Becky Allaker said...

I think what Andrew is trying to say that maybe you should take care, at least read the title before you comment, so as not to offend :)

Illustria (GNoire) said...

Well spoken Holly. I feel the same way.

Sir said...

Of all the times to start reading the blog again... There is nothing I can say that hasn't already been said. But I'm going to say something anyways. I've also lost a close friend from senseless violence, and the pain NEVER goes away. I can only imagine what it's like to lose a family member. I hope that people will one day learn from the mistakes of the past. But if that day never comes, I can at least hope that one person learns something from this today.

Niamhy Jay said...

I have removed them first two comments.
Again I apologize I didn't mean to be disrespectful or Insensitive.

Luciana said...

The way that Derek has explained this is flawless.He has taken great care not to offend anyone and the way in which he had written this is delicate, just like the matter in hand.
I didn't think my respect for Derek Landy could grow. But, today, it doubled. I didn't even know that it was possible for my respect for him to grow, even by a tiny amount.
Derek's been my favourite author since I picked up the first book and devoured the words that lay inside it.
But, this...This proves that he's more than an author. He's more than a person that enjoys writing about violence and allowing the readers to enjoy the talent he has. The way Derek has handled this proves that he really is Godly and he really is worthy of the title of the Golden God- so no-one can say otherwise. I'd just point them to this. How many other authors would dedicate their time to write a blogpost like that? I can't think of many that would. Actually, Derek is the only person I have known to dedicate that much time to this. That's yet another reason I love Derek and I love the books. The books are amazing, but when you realise how good of a person the author is there's that little warmth in your heart and that love and adoration for their work grows even more.
Derek is absolutely amazing and I hope he knows that.
This is even more reason that Derek is my hero.

Becky Allaker said...

But to comment on the blog. Derek, this is why I've undying respect for you. I don't know what i can really say as to how I feel about this post, I think Holly put it into words the best.

My thoughts are with those injured, their friends and family, and the family and friends of those lost.


May the sick bastard who did this rot in prison, and then in hell.

Valkyrie V. - Ivy said...

Derek, I had heard about the Colorado shooting already. It's everywhere in America. The fact that someone could do that actually scares me to think about it. I mean, kids who were just a year younger than me got killed. What if I wanted to go to the movies now? Does that mean that during the whole thing I have to deal with the threat of being murdered?

Even worse, people are going to look up to this guy. Sick, twisted, evil people. They're going to try to copy him.

Thank you for posting about this, Derek. It's important that people know what's going on.

Niamhy Jay said...

I agree with all said by others on here.
I am not good with words but they have all summed it up perfectly.

Luciana said...

I would say that I wish death upon the twisted person that inflicted this pain. But death would be too good for him, to be honest. Death is the easy way out. Maybe he had mental health issues and needs help. I'm not excusing what he did, because it's more than plain wrong. But I am saying that he needs to see a professional.
My thoughts are with everyone involved and that may have been hurt both emotionally and physically during this attack. If only all of the world was like this fandom. If the world was like this fandom, life would be a far more Pleasant place.
I just hope that the world will learn from this and work together to stop such things from occurring again.

ChapterHouse-Reads said...

WHOA!

Georgina Howlett said...

What's happened out there is seriously foul and I hate the man that did it. He's a pathetic loser and I can't even put my contempt into words. He's caused the loss of life that needed never to have been lost. My heart goes out to the families of the lost ones right now because what they thought would turn out as a fantastic night for their family members has actually turned into a living hell. </3

Saoirse Equus said...

I'm an American. When I heard about this I was simply CRUSHED. This incredibly rediculous shooting is made worse by the fact that it took place only a few towns away from Colombine High School. Home of the worst school shooting in history. There are many things I could say about how the law should handle that lunitics punishment but I won't.
Right now though Derek, I just really want to hug you for this blog post. Thank you. *massive cyber hug from America*

Niamhy Jay said...

*hugs Kallista back*

Saoirse Equus said...

I'm an American. When I heard about this I was simply CRUSHED. This incredibly rediculous shooting is made worse by the fact that it took place only a few towns away from Colombine High School. Home of the worst school shooting in history. There are many things I could say about how the law should handle that lunitics punishment but I won't.
Right now though Derek, I just really want to hug you for this blog post. Thank you. *massive cyber hug from America*

AndrewTheNerd said...

It upset me, more than other stuff. I don't know why, I think I just thought about it more. So, Colorado is a place. A place where people live. Like what Scotland is to me, a place where I live. And the cinema was Aurora, just Aurora, not a special cinema. Just a cinema, a cinema like cineworld here in Aberdeen. It was the midnight premier of The Dark Knight Rises. Like I would go to the midnight premier of The Dark Knight Rises. When we see it on the news, it feels different. But when you think about it, they were normal people, like you and me, who live in a place, like you and me, who went to a cinema, like you and me. And this happened. A weapon like this does so much more damage than it is built for. One shot is all it takes. To take a whole life, everything that ever was in that man/woman's time on this planet. Ripped away, with the pull of a trigger. And then there's the families. Who will never be the same again. Everything, ruined because their friend/son/daughter/or other relatives were taken away from them. Never allowed to see them again, never allowed to hear their voice or talk to them. Never. Again. Cause that's it. One shot and everything is ruined.

Becky Allaker said...

I wish I could like your comment there, Andrew...

I totally agree. It just strikes harder to us because it seems so close to home.

Luciana said...

It's people like him that make me not want to live in this world anymore.

But it's people like Derek and all of you fans that makes me realise that there is some good in life. Yes, there is evil - like this...This horror, for example. But there is also good. Everything you are all saying is completely true and the way everyone is handling this is incredibly mature and my adoration for you all grows with every single delicate and beautiful comment I read.

flaring rhythm said...

Derek, major, MAJOR respect for you right now. I still can't wrap my head around it. It's disgusting. That's twelve people dead, twelve people with families and friends who have to go on without that person in their lives. How anyone could even think about doing it is beyond me. I read some of the interviews from witnesses and it sounded so horrific, I can't even imagine it. A guy was there with his sister, who was killed that night, and I cant even imagine how he must feel. If that'd been me there with my little brother, and my little brother had gotten killed....god. So much sympathy for all the victims and their families.

It's honestly just sickening.

So yes, so much respect for you for speaking about it. Just thank you!

Luciana said...

*hugs Flaring* You, my dear, are incredible.
You're ALL incredible. *hugs everyone, INCLUDING Derek*

Luciana said...

*laughs slightly* I dedicated to words, once. How powerful words really are...How pen is mightier than sword, because words are what can cause the use of a sword and...Yeah...Kal is right. Words are the most powerful weapon in the world...

flaring rhythm said...

*hugs Luciana* Thanks, sweetheart! I was just talking to my dad about it, and he told me that apparently before he started shooting he shouted "I am the Joker!" which is absolutely awful.

I think it's so disturbing that he shouted that. It's just...ugh, god, I usually don't wish terrible things on people, but I really hope he gets what he deserves. I hope he feels remorse for it too, because the remorse for what he's done will probably kill him.

Becky Allaker said...

I'd just like to point out that Andrew is amazing and one of the people I adore, and he didn't mean to offend either. I know NJ didn't mean any harm but I, personally, would look at the subject of the blog post before commenting, so as not to hurt feelings. I, myself, get offended when people take a matter such as this lightly, and NJ's comment /appeared/ (emphasis on that) as though she was going about it as though it was nothing. It's just how it appeared, and Andrew just picked up on it.

Neither Andrew or NJ are in the wrong here, because I'm sure NJ is just as wonderful as Andrew is.
To avoid it in the future, NJ (or anyone!), you could just read the first line of the blog before commenting, or even the title to get an idea of what it's about so nothing seems offensive! Andrew, I love you, you're great, and NJ, you're great too, ok? Don't feel bad, we learn from our mistakes, or little slip ups.

JUST TAKE CARE C:

AndrewTheNerd said...

Uh. Can we just stop this? I thought we'd moved on ages ago.

Niamhy Jay said...

Again I apologize, I will take Becky's advice on board and be more careful in future.
I think we should just drop it now, if that's okay. Channel our thoughts onto those who need it, which are those that lost friends or family in the shooting and those that were Injured and their friends and family.

flaring rhythm said...

Okay guys, to stop any further conflict, I NOW DECLARE THIS ISSUE DEALT WITH AND CLOSED.

Becky Allaker said...

I'll stop after I just say this, Andrew was perfectly polite in what he said to NJ, and from what I saw he didn't flat out blame her or call her anything, and she apologised and she was really reasonable and understanding which I really admire. Andrew, like NJ, didn't think, and instantly commented because it appeared offensive to him, and just pointed it out. Which I would have done too, because that's just the way it appears! I get what you're saying, but here, it goes for andrew as well as NJ.

So please don't be horrible to Andrew because he was only picking up on something that offended him, ok? The comments you were posting up a bit about him were really boiling me up because you were making assumptions that were rather cruel, when Andrew hadn't said anything harsh... Which is why I commented, because I know who Andrew is, and he's a wonderful, caring fellow who I love to bits.

SO I SHALL SLAP NJ, ANDREW, AND KAL ON THE HAND HERE BECAUSE YOU'VE ALL COME ACROSS OFFENSIVE HERE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WHETHER YOU INTENDED IT OR NOT.


Now let's all hug and make up because there's worse things in the world right now than a little misunderstanding.

You're all great, we all say things we should think about before we say them, and yeah.

Let's move on :)

Becky Allaker said...

sorry i posted after it was closed i took ages to write :I

Valkyrie V. - Ivy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Snoogy said...

well said derek

Katy A said...

I don't understand how people can do something so terrible!

I completely agree with your post, Derek.

Becky Allaker said...

He's absent at the moment.

Inky Flame said...

it is sad mind about the killings
:(

hi everyone else no time no blog see

AndrewTheNerd said...

WHAT HAPPENED WHAT SORRY FOR UH Y'KNOW. UM. WHATEVER I DID.

Niamhy Jay said...

Andrew you have nothing to be sorry for. You were right to point out what I did wrong. I didnt realise I had done anything wrong and you were right to point it out. I didnt mean to be disrespectful or insensitive or offend anyone but I was and I did. I am the one to apologise and I have. I am genuinely sorry.
I want to move on from this now and hope we can talk about more happy matters, when the time is right.

Anonymous said...

Some people are truly despicable. What's the point of taking away more lives through senseless violence? Or simple human stupidity?

I agree about the movie. It could've been any movie. Harry Potter, Twilight, even one like Finding Nemo,

As you said, it doesn't matter what movie it happened at. The plain fact is that it happened. So, everyone who lost a friend or family member at the shooting, I give my condolences to.

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

I heard about the killings yesterday but it wasn't until this morning when I switched on the news did I realise the true horror of it all. I live in the UK and even though the news had meant to focus on the arrival of the torch to London it was instead focusing on this which says a lot about it's Importance! 

Thanks for raising the issue and spreading awareness Derek, and in a respectful and caring manor as well, no one wants entertainment to suffer from such stupid attacks and you phrased that very well.

My condolences go out to the family. I know what it's like to lose someone to the selfishness of another person like that and it is not a pleasant experience. My thoughts will be with those recovering in the hospitals tonight and I hope others thoughts will be to.

Thanks Derek, my respect for you is now x2 what it used to be

-Nicolette

Inky Flame said...

im going now byii people

Niamhy Jay said...

Bye Chloe.
Take care
*hugs*

Making the Legend said...

Thank you, Derek. When you say it like that, it really makes sense. That's part of why I admire you. You can joke and laugh and flaunt a large ego, but when we need you or when you are struck by something, you prevail with sense and something like wisdom. Just like a few years back, when I was complaining about the violence displayed in Book 5, you were there with an explanation that made sense. You didn't shame me and you didn't embarass me, you justified youself with respece to my opinion and that's what I needed. So, again, thank you.

-Molly

Drew O'Connor said...

Wow, my respect for the great Golden God has risen another 10 bars at least.

When I heard about the shooting yesterday, I just was in shock. Then I became very angry that senseless violence was brought into a social arena were no one deserved it.

I can't imagine what any of the families and friends are going through. I can't imagine how anyone who is put in that situation will ever go through.

All we can hope and pray is that justice is served and that nut job will finally get what is coming to him by the peoples democracy. As I said to my parents yesterday, it's unusual that he didn't kill himself but at least people will get some kind of justice.

Again, well done Derek. Not many people can brooch what happened yesterday with a clear head and not let their emotions get in the way. Just to get their point across and across well.

Bravo!

Nicole said...

... I haven't heard about it until now. I'm shocked. I can't say much more, only that I support your oppinion Derek. Inspiration is just not motivation and furthermore I will remember your words. I will keep them in mind whenever I write something myself.As an author you (maybe we) just have this risk. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us and yeah my condolences to those people, too.

Kids Konnect said...

I live in the states. This really scared me and my whole family, but mostly it just made me really sad. Look at mankind, supposedly the most intelligent animals on earth, and look at the horrible things we do to each other. There's a campaign on facebook for Chistian Bale to go to the hospital where the 59 injured are. I hope he does.

Unknown said...

I can't think about what happened in ontario as the people watched the whole trilogy. 12 dead, 60 injured. oi vey

Mayan said...

I completely agree with this post as well. And the guy who shot them looked completely normal and was studying medical science.I do not think it was any movies or books or whatever that inspired him to do such a thing. I think he was just an evil twisted sick-minded person.
My condolences go out to everybody affected.

Unapplicable. said...

I did hear about that. It was a vile act, and yes, I think we can agree that you can't blame 'influences'. The generation before us had plenty of that, but my parents aren't violent. The blaming game isn't funny, that's it really.
My condolences go to everyone. One day. One day, all this will stop.

st said...

i heard about that on the radio yesterday
that person makes me sick

Unapplicable. said...

Oh and what everyone else has said above accentuates what I was thinking perfectly. The way that you've taken what happened, and written about it so that the world can feel sufficiently ashamed; my respect has gone up by so much more at the level of maturity you have displayed. Never saying you weren't mature but at this stage, people would be swearing at the man.

Thank you for keeping a calm head, Derek.

Colleen McGuigan said...

I have family friends living in Denver, and I was sitting crying and praying to God they were not there in that cinema at that time... Just when I heard it on the radio, I can remember them saying they would go to see that film. I just froze, and then half an hour later they called my dad and I was so relieved. I felt sorry for the families that's loved ones did die. I couldn't live with myself when my Nanny had cancer and she died. I can't even imagine how hard it is for the people who know someone who died all because of this sick person. xx R.I.P xx I'll pray for them xx <3 :'(

Cat said...

My God.
I didnt know anyone... i mean, i cant know what... i am so hard to be... to feel... it's like a broken link that turns bitter and cold... but its not... its

Cat said...

i just sat down for a moment, you know? because there is nothing else to do. THERE IS NOTHING FREAKING ELSE TO DO. because... because you're... im useless. helpless. and there is nothing to do.
I cant be angry at the shooter... even if i want to be. angry at myself... but its sad, and cold, and soft and hard and kust... dissapointing? hollow, maybe?

Helena Ember Sky said...

If you looked at his face in the mug shots. He looks mad, crazy, a complete psychopath.

Cat said...

sorry.

Helena Ember Sky said...

That's okay Cat. You're not useless. Everyone loves you.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Ohmygosh.

Anonymous said...

Is this the first page?!

Helena Ember Sky said...

Hey Phoenix! Isn't it brilliant? I got commets on the first page! And... YES YES! REQUIEM BALL IN EVERY COUNTRY!! EPIC! *squeals* Who came up with that idea?

Eve the ROCK said...

Im glad you blogged about this, Derek. And I'm glad you didn't make the whole post about that disgusting maniac to make him famous.

Whenever something terrible happens in real life, I always remember of ive read it in a fictional book, or watched it in a movie, or played it in a video game. And I feel so guilty when I remember that it was entertaining to me. I'm not sure I want to speak or think my opinion on this because somehow I will sound like....I'm a tiny but afraid that if everyone spoke honestly about this, we would be losing a bit of our humanity. Not saying anything further.

But i will say this. We shouldn't blame it on movies or video games or books. It's not their fault. Heaps of people watch the same movie and only one if any of them turn bad. It's about who you are. Not what you watch or read.

Helena Ember Sky said...

It's about whether your mind is cracked.

Eve the ROCK said...

And I can imagine how you're feeling about Kingdom of the Wicked, Derek. But it's not a regular thing. You can trust us. Trust all the readers. We're only insane in the random sense of the word. Falalalalalala! :)

Helena Ember Sky said...

I'm psycho but I'm not a psycopath.

Cat said...

theres a difference between crazy and crazy and crazy that you might never understand

Anonymous said...

Ok, guys. I showed this to my dad. I'm on the iPad, so I cant paste a URL. But google "Alternet" and find the article titled "A Long Dark Night: Gun Violence and the New Batman Movie". Let's see what you all think of Americans then.
(I'm an American, so I can say that...)

Nixion Strange said...

Hello?

Nixion Strange said...

When does the blame shift from the person responsible to the person who might have inspirered them? If they hadn't been inspired by that, would they have used something else? It's impossible to say, impossible to know what was happening in the twisted mind of that person

Vultus Ulcorok said...

Hello :)

Nixion Strange said...

Hi Vultus!

Vultus Ulcorok said...

Hey Nix! yeah i totally agree with your comment

Nixion Strange said...

Sand cho

zepher cain said...

You cannot blame the media, game and movies. To have the motivation to go out and do this kind of thing is something much more. To even imagine what was going through this mans head. A story about this kind of thing is the art of creating something that could have happened.
My respect to those who were/are involved and who are grieving a loss.
how this man could justify that what he did was okay in his mind i may never understand.

Nixion Strange said...

True Ocean

Unapplicable. said...

Exactly.
Is Helena still here? Happy belated birthday for the sixteenth!

Nixion Strange said...

Hi Cal!

Unapplicable. said...

Hey Nix! How are you? Enjoying school? (blergh, I sure as hell am not.)

Nixion Strange said...

Hell no

Unapplicable. said...

I honestly can't wake up early enough. And I'm always so exhausted whilst at school too... hmmph.

Nixion Strange said...

Stupid school...

Unapplicable. said...

Pretty much.

Nixion Strange said...

Distant, I'm writing a book recomendation

Nixion Strange said...

Yokay, I gotta go now
Bye!

Unapplicable. said...

Bye Nix!

Unapplicable. said...

Anyone here? I have the urge to rant.

Eve the ROCK said...

Rant away!

Unapplicable. said...

EVE, my friend is going to both the events in Sydney. It's ridiculous.
Honestly, she's not even as such a big fan. But that's the horrid thing with some of my friends.
For them, it's a competition to see who can be the bigger fan .
But it's not about that. It's about meeting your idol, no matter if you own every single book or none of them.
I hate it when people do that. It goes the same for the other fandoms too.
People just think if they spurt out all this knowledge and information about the fandom, then they're the bigger fan and everyone respects them furthermore. However, like aforementioned; it's not about being the biggest fan. It's about enjoying yourself without putting yourself or anyone else down.
Hm. Come to think of it, I do it too. But rather then telling them snidely, I inform them just in case they want to know. My friends wouldn't have even known venues if I hadn't told them about it. Gah.

Just frustrated that she's going to both events. I feel as if she's flaunting her 'fandomship' and the fact that she can actually get there as well. But it's her choice, And so I shouldn't be upset. But I am. Because, I wanted to be the one who met Derek twice.
I'm just jealous, really. Although the part about 'it doesn't matter about being the biggest fan' does apply too.

How are you? Enjoying school?

Nixion Strange said...

bh

Selena Gasp said...

My gosh, that post summed up everything that I was going to try to say and in a better way. I am going to sit in silence for a minuet, in remembrance of everyone who was affected by this monstrosity and then I am going to try to feel happy, because dwelling on it will do nothing.

Unapplicable. said...

Hullo again, Nix.

Selena Gasp said...

Okay, minuet up and I am ready to, not forget, but not dwell. I will start by thinking about how lucky I am, and try to appreciate my life.

Selena Gasp said...

Hi Calamity

Unapplicable. said...

Hello Selena!
How are you?

Unapplicable. said...

And for my rant, ignore the first two lines. I was being consumed by immense jealousy. It's settled down now...

Selena Gasp said...

Oh gosh, I spelt minute wrong twice!

Nixion Strange said...

Cleavers are awesome

I feel wrong talking about stuff on this post...

Unapplicable. said...

I know what you mean, Nix. :3

Selena Gasp said...

I am good thank you Calamity and you?

Selena Gasp said...

@ Nix,same. I reckon we should talk some where else and leave this blog alone. I no its a small act but its better then nothing.

Nixion Strange said...

Well, we could always just go to the previous post...

Selena Gasp said...

*know

Selena Gasp said...

Yeah, well I am going to, so I will see you guys! Hey, um maybe leave a message to other people that come on this blog? So that they can come as well. If they want to.

Kirsty said...

Okay, I have to say this, and some of you may feel offended or annoyed, but please know, that's not my intention.

Firstly, from the bottom of my heart, I give my condolences to everyone involved and the families. And when I say everyone involved I mean it. Even the guy who did the shooting and his family.

Some of you are saying things like "I hope he rots in prison" and "burns in hell". Okay, do you really? From my point of view, sincerely wishing that on someone is a horrible thing to do, but its easy to get caught up and say that, too.

This guy obviously had something wrong in his mind. From the articles I've read these last couple of days, I've found out that he was kicked out from doing his PhD and told he "wasn't good enough". That would be devastating. Certainly enough to send someone over the edge. He'd devoted YEARS of his life and then got told NO. It kinda looks like he had a breakdown. He set up all these explosives in his apartment, which one of the experts said was a lot more high-tech than the usual home-made variety. That makes it look like he was trying to prove he was smart. What happened definitely looks to be linked to being kicked out of his PhD.

Okay, that was a long rant, the gist being: What he did was wrong, and he will have to pay some serious consequences, as he should, but don't be so harsh, when you don't know what could be happening inside his mind.

A person with a mental breakdown can be a lot like a person with a remnant inside them.

Again, my heart goes out to EVERYONE involved.

Nixion Strange said...

Cal, you coming?

Nixion Strange said...

I'm not blaming the person Kirsty, I'm not blaming anyone. I'm just sad about the act

Selena Gasp said...

That's epic Kirsty, I completely agree, Now I have to leave, so I will see you guys some other time

Nixion Strange said...

Bye Selena

Nixion Strange said...

Okay, I'm going to the last post

Unapplicable. said...

I'm coming! Sorry.
Hm, Kirsty, you do have a point. I just think that he should've perhaps expressed it in a better manner. And I don't hope he rots in hell because no one deserves that. But I do hope he understands the implications of his actions.

Nixion Strange said...

People, we are leaving this post only for comments about the incident in Denver, not for talk. Out of respect, I think it would be nice if we went to the previous post, and left this one. Please don't talk here, if you want to talk, go to the previous post, as a mark of respect

Kirsty said...

Nixion, I agree and I think it is sad too. I hope I didn't make you feel like that comment was at you. I just wanted to point out what probably lots were thinking, but no one was saying!

Kirsty said...

Good point Calamity, I wish he had expressed it better too, I just don't think he was able to. I hope he gets the help he needs and that he manages to turn back into the old version of himself. It'll be hard for him knowing what he did, but it'd be worse not being able to regret it.

Nixion Strange said...

Kristy, we're at this post now http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?postID=84488274004652966&blogID=1104475307058729066&isPopup=true&page=1

Nixion Strange said...

People, we are leaving this post only for comments about the incident in Denver, not for talk. Out of respect, I think it would be nice if we went to the previous post, and left this one. Please don't talk here, if you want to talk, go to the previous post, as a mark of respect

If you do comment, please leave this at the end of your comment

Jemma said...

I know this sounds...bad, but I feel sorry for the people who never got to see their beloved midnight screening. They were all obviously fans of either batman, Nolan, the actors or the trilogy, and must've been really looking forward to seeing the movie. And then that happens and...a part of the survivors must be thinking, 'damn, I was so lookin forward to watching that'. After watching the movie myself I feel more for them in that sense because it was a really good move.

Jemma said...

Movie* woops!

Miss Cain; The Aussie Ninja Stalker said...

that was beautiful Derek

Anonymous said...

Derek I agree completely and I have gained so much more respect for you since you posted that

Lord Vlaedr said...

That was absolutely inspiring, Master Derek.

I speak these words with utmost sincerity.

That man deserves to die. He made his choice when he decided to kill those innocent people. Not innocent, DEFENSELESS. When he made that decision, he knew he might get killed or hurt afterwards. But he still did it. An eye for an eye. That is the way our world has always worked.

I don't know if anyone else agrees with me, but I think a life time sentence is too good for the bastard.

Selena Gasp said...

Lord, may I just say, if it was an eye for an eye, the world would be blind.

Selena Gasp said...

I think that what the man did was absolutely despicable, but no one deserves to die. A prison for life sounds good.

Selena Gasp said...

I am going to the other post now

Selena Gasp said...

See you later

Selena Gasp said...

Bye for now

Nixion Strange said...

People, we are leaving this post only for comments about the incident in Denver, not for talk. Out of respect, I think it would be nice if we went to the previous post, and left this one. Please don't talk here, if you want to talk, go to the previous post, as a mark of respect

If you do comment, please leave this at the end of your comment

Star Inkbright said...

WHAT KIRSTY SAID.

Thank you so much for posting this, Derek. I feel so sorry for the people who were killed and their families and the filmakers.

But I ALSO feel so sorry for the gunman.

All the way down the post, people were saying the gunman was horrible and deserved to be killed, and it just seemed SOOOOO blatenly obvious to me that he had mental problems and I just couldn't understand why no one else was realising it. Okay, my mum DID point it out to me, but I assumed it before that.

Imagine a friend of yours. A friend of yours who's shocked and digusted at this. Who hates the gunman. Imagine they went insane. Real insane, not blog-insane. You would want them to regain their sanity. You would feel so sorry for them, because their mind, their personality, everything you loved about them, it was . . .shattered. Then imagine they went and shot people in a cinema, and got arrested. You wouldn't hate them, because you knew they hadn't understood whar they were doing. Imagine the whole world was cursing their name, but they didn't deserve it, it wasn't their fault. Imagine they suffered in hell for eternity for what they'd done, when it wasn't their fault.

I feel sorry for them. But sorrier for everyone else.

Nixion Strange said...

I never said anything like that. I said the opposite

Nixion Strange said...

People, we are leaving this post only for comments about the incident in Denver, not for talk. Out of respect, I think it would be nice if we went to the previous post, and left this one. Please don't talk here, if you want to talk, go to the previous post, as a mark of respect

If you do comment, please leave this at the end of your comment

Kirsty said...

Lord Vlaedr, perhaps the Denver incident has something personal with you, maybe you knew someone there, or in a similar tragedy - In which case I am really sorry and hope you are okay. But I have to disagree very much with you.

Taking away his life isn't going to bring back the people who are gone. It's not going to fix what's happened. The most we can do is try to help him, and give him a chance to try and make up for all his wrongs. He may not succeed, but he should at least get to try.

Star Inkbright said...

*appaulds Kirsty* I now doubly agree with you. Whoever you are.

People, we are leaving this post only for comments about the incident in Denver, not for talk. Out of respect, I think it would be nice if we went to the previous post, and left this one. Please don't talk here, if you want to talk, go to the previous post, as a mark of respect.

If you do comment, please leave this at the end of your comment

acts of randomness said...

Columbine was blamed on video games, Port Arthur was blamed on the availability of guns. The guy responsible for the Norway attacks last year said he sympathised wither Aussie priminister John Howard. I mention these to agree that no matter what the inspiration, relevant or otherwise the end result is the same. It's impossible to try and make sense out of something so horrible. Good on you Derek for speaking against it because even if every writer, filmmaker or artist started censoring themselves inspiration would still be found by someone who has already made up their mind to hurt people.

Star Inkbright said...

People, we are leaving this post only for comments about the incident in Denver, not for talk. Out of respect, I think it would be nice if we went to the previous post, and left this one. Please don't talk here; if you want to talk, go to the previous post, as a mark of respect.

If you do comment, please leave this at the end of your comment.

Inky Flame said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

I believe my respect for Derek has increased by a lot. Too great to count. Personally having to be living in the States I think it's ridiculus some idiot decides to go out and kill people at a movie. I was only at the movies few days prior to this. It's a crime and a shame that not all the nuts are in prison where they belong. But after reading this post I seriously respect Derek a lot more.

Anonymous said...

Hello.

Anonymous said...

Hey, Zaf. I was on Alternet yesterday reading a post about this. It's insane. But really, we live in a culture where masculine violence is glorified everywhere from video games, to even music. It's unbelievable.

Anonymous said...

Oh, look, nobody's here to read my amazing rant...

Anonymous said...

Lets see if I can't break my record of 16 comments in a row.

Anonymous said...

5

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6

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Anonymous said...

Hurrah! I've broken my record.

Anonymous said...

I'm gonna keep commenting until I get first on the next page.

Anonymous said...

Three more, I think.

Anonymous said...

Lalalaaa...

Anonymous said...

Ok, one more...

Anonymous said...

First.

Anonymous said...

I dedicate this page to all the people killed in this massacre, and to their parents, children, husbands, wives, friends, and family alike.

Willow Storm said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

the person who did this, he just makes me feel so sick. Shouting 'I am the joker' and massacring people, including a little six year old, is just to disgusting to even put into words. I can't say how sorry I am.

Anonymous said...

I heard about what happened at the screening while I was at school on Friday. We were in the last lesson of the year before we broke up for the Summer Holidays, when a classmate (who was on their phone) swore loudly and proceeded to read out the news report he had found.

The girl I was sat next to burst into tears when he reached the second paragraph. At first, we all thought that maybe a friend or a family member had gone to the screening, but that was not the case. It was so strange to me, at the time, to watch her cry over people she's never met, and now will never meet, because she didn't even know what they were like. She didn't know what music they liked, or whether they recycled their rubbish, or whether they liked Christmas Pudding or not. All these details I realize, don't matter now. But interests and thoughts and memories fashion us into the people we are, and all I could think of was that this girl knew nothing, so why was she crying so much? I was upset - extremely so, and I cried when I watched something about it on the internet later - but I was in so much shock when I first heard that I couldn't form such an empathetic reaction as my fellow clasmate had.

But I think I understand it now. I think she was crying because these lives were not lost - they were stolen. They were ripped from the world and torn away from loved ones, from society, from their future. And it was because someone made a choice. The choice to destroy. The choice to strike terror and fear into innocent people who went to that midnight screening only wanting to go see a film. People who almost certainly did not think that they would leave that theatre without air in their lungs. People who will never see the sky again.

I'm not too sure what I'm trying to accomplish by writing this. Talking about this does not improve the situation, at least, not when you are a 15-year-old girl with no power over anything that happens as a result of what happened. But I do think it helps to remember. Because this is when we are reminded that sometimes people are taken from us, and we need to hold onto them and make sure they are loved the way they deserved to be loved. With kindness and respect and trust.

So: I love you. Every single one of you, and I don't care if you've been here since the start, or if you only discovered this corner of the internet 24 hours ago. And it doesn't matter if I've been speaking to you for a year or if we've never interacted before, either. Because I love everyone here, and yes we annoy each other every once in a while, but we're a family. And that's what we do. We argue and we have different opinions, however, we also care about one another. Being able to talk to some of you has been life-changing, and I never want to forget anything you guys have taught me. I never want to forget how you've helped me be the person I've become.

May the families and friends who have lost a part of their hearts find support, hope to lead them through what is to come, and peace after this dreadful tragedy.

Ophelia said...

As an American it has been a horrible couple of days, everything on the news is about Colorado and everyone has a different perspective on what happened and it makes me so angry because it JUST happened. As a society I feel we need time to mourn this tragedy and wait for the facts of the case to come out instead of playing the blame game and speculating. I don't know how this tragedy has been presented in other countries but it's so hard to turn on the television and be presented actual video of people running, screaming, and bleeding and all the reporter wants to talk about is gun control and whose fault it is. I also don't appreciate how Columbine and Virginia Tech are dragged into the argument, they're all tragedies with loss of human life but comparing them is just wrong. By debating which was worse negates the horror and turns it into a game. I feel like there is a hole where my stomach should be and from talking to my friends and neighbors I know they feel just as violated, sad, and scared. As a country, as a world, we need to come together to mourn this senseless loss of life and support the those affected not argue and tear each other apart.

Star Inkbright said...

My The Immortals-related reply to L's Denver speech:

L, that is . . . I can't find the words, but . . . It's a really good speech.

It reminds me of this part in The Immortals series where Ever goes up to Roman, this horrible person who's ruined her life and many more besides, and she tells him she loves him. Roman starts sneering, as in ha-I-finally-got-Ever-to-admit-she's-in-love-with-me, but Ever says, no, not like that. She's not IN love with him. She loves him, as utterly and completely as one human can love another, and she feels sorry for him, because he's never loved anyone or been loved by anyone. He thinks he loved Drina, but Ever says, that wasn't love, that was just wanting. She says he's never really known love, but now she's show him love, she'll show him what proper love is. Love isn't lust. Love is completely different.

Star Inkbright said...

I was never a big fan of The Immortals series. Not really my genre. But it has some great lessons in life. One day I shall having to write a speech on that binding Ever did that went very wrong, and why everything kept spiraling out of control. I am so grateful to Alyson Noël for sharing her wisdom and knowledge of life with her readers. I'm sure she's really helped some people, somewhere. And I'm not sure where this is going but I think I might have ACTUALLY written a speech that means something, even if all it means is read-The-Immortals-coz-Alyson-Noël-explains-this-better-than-I-can.

And, to finish off and to guiltily remind myself I meant to talk about Denver, I STILL FEEL SORRY FOR THE GUNMAN. AND EVERYONE ELSE, OF COURSE.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Well said, Mr. Landy. I can't imagine what pain the families went thru

Anonymous said...

The strange thing is, the gunman (who does not deserve to be named) had no previous criminal records. This was, strangely, pre-planned, as the man had bought and gotten his weapons before. I read that he then entered through the emergency exit, too. Now, I'm not an expert on movie theater emergency exits, but I believe they head immediately outside. How did he know what theater he was entering? He planned this injusttified massacre before he acted.

Anonymous said...

So, because this could not be stopped when it was happening, it should have been stopped BEFORE. People should not be able to get guns, because there ARE crazy people. Just a couple months ago there was a shooting in my town. And my town had NEVER had a shooting, at least in my memory. The government--in my opinion--should not allow people to get guns.

Anonymous said...

I also agree with Mr. Landy in the part about fiction NOT inspiring horid acts. Just because we read, see, hear, and make (as in video games) other, fake people do acts of violence, does not mean we ourselves will do the same. Because in those, we KNOW it's not real. We realize that this is not real. But, when it's real, we would never do something like that. At least SANE people.

MonsterMouse said...

You've made me cry.
Thank you so much for this.

MonsterMouse said...

A girl stayed with her freind and saved her life by applying pressure to the wound in her neck, even as the shooting continued, refusing to leave.
people say courage is an act of stupidity, but i think its an act of love.

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