The controversy over showing the video of the Virginia Tech killer isn't even a close call for me. We want and need to know why this horrible crime occurred and the killer is trying to tell us. The more we know and understand mental illness, the better.
The killer's writings and rantings are invaluable clues into the workings of these tragic and mysterious diseases. We truly know so little about the brain and mental illness when compared with our knowledge of physical illnesses. We need more videos, not fewer. People need to see what these people sound like, what their writings look like. So the next time a concerned teacher, neighbor or friend takes these valuable clues to law enforcement and the psychiatric community, we will recognize the common symptoms and take these cries for help seriously.
Now I would like to see even more stories and videos on mental illness. Let's see videos and stories on the lives of each and every one of those students and professors who lost their lives, including interviews with the families whose lives are now devastated. For all those impressed with the notoriety of the killer, let us also give them the truth -- the devastation caused and the tremendous loss to our society of these bright young people and valuable professors.
I have no doubt that the videos might be of use to mental health professionals. But they didn't teach me anything useful about mental illness, and I doubt that my layperson's opinion would be of much use in treating other individuals like that. So I maintain my opinion that the videos should have been made available (on a website, perhaps), but not repeated ad nauseum on every news network.
Mr.D., I would concur.
i agree, gail, let's see what can be learned from this,and be sure to take the time to grieve well. i really dont understand those who would call for a "return to normalcy" post haste.