Bravery’s Scarcity
Wondering why so few able-bodied men didn’t fight back against Cho Seung-Hui isn’t “blaming the victim” nor is talking about it “insane” [via memeorandum]. It’s examining if there’s something wrong with our culture. I’m sure the male and female surviors ask themselves if they should have done something. Along with remorse regret plagues their thoughts. That’s a burden I wish on no one.
I see a passivity in our behavior. Standing up for one’s self isn’t encouraged much anymore. When there’s a fight at school both parties the aggressor and the victim are held accountable. They’re sent to counselors and made to talk things out when giving someone a bloody nose would might end the conflict. With the Columbine killings schools have gotten so edgy that a hint of student violence means calling 911.
Our passivity is contrasted with the violence displayed in movies, television shows, and video games. I’m not of the belief that entertainment causes violence except in a vulnerable few. I see such violence as a compensation for the passivity encouraged in real life. A similar situation lies across the Pacific Ocean. Japanese pop culture has amazing amounts of violence yet the island nation has few murders.
Yes, I know violence doesn’t solve everything, but in our imperfect world it’s sometimes the best option. That’s the case in war, personal self-defense, and instances where too much testosterone is flowing.
There is another part of the answer: Courage isn’t a commodity. If it were we wouldn’t praise it so much. When we see and hear about the heroism of Liviu Librescu or the Flight 93 passengers awe strikes us. We wonder what drives one to do something so brave. We place true bravery on a pedestal because it is rare.
“While The VT Killer Was Killing, Where Were The Men?” [via Blue Crab Boulevard]
Christ you people are disgusting ghouls. You people really do see yourselves as “heroes”, don’t you? Like your ability to second-guess the reactions of people facing a crazed gunman with a firearm that held more than 20 rounds and could discharge them in seconds really constitutes some act of bravery on your part.
I know that in your mind you see yourself as a Jack Bauer badass who can disarm gunmen like a ninja striking from the shadows. And the best part is that you’ll probably never find out any differently. But for God’s sake, if you can’t see anything wrong with “wondering why those guys didn’t MAN UP and take him down” - him being a gunman who murdered 32 in the space of minutes - then there’s something seriously impaired about your ability to sympathize with other human beings.
There was no stopping this guy until he stopped himself. I don’t know what planet you live on where you can disarm a firing, insane gunman with nothing but a bit of guile, but of you think it’s possible I suggest you put down the PlayStation controller. And if you think courage is lacking in our generation, well, they’re still looking for volunteers in Iraq. It’s your big chance for you and the rest of the Yellow Elephants to put some action behind your big talk.
No? Figures that you would be talking about other people’s lack of courage.