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Aurora shooting aftermath: commentary and analysis from around the web Aurora shooting aftermath: commentary and analysis from around the web
(40 minutes later)
The Aurora shooting has left scores of questions in its wake: was the tragedy preventable? How should we respond? What kinds of policies need to change as a result?The Aurora shooting has left scores of questions in its wake: was the tragedy preventable? How should we respond? What kinds of policies need to change as a result?
We're collecting insightful commentary and analysis from journalists, writers, academics and reporters about different ways to think about the #theatershooting tragedy and what it might mean for us as a society, going forward. Tweet your recommendations, adding #smarttakes at the end and we'll feature your contribution on this post. You can also toss your thoughts in the comments below and tell us what you think.We're collecting insightful commentary and analysis from journalists, writers, academics and reporters about different ways to think about the #theatershooting tragedy and what it might mean for us as a society, going forward. Tweet your recommendations, adding #smarttakes at the end and we'll feature your contribution on this post. You can also toss your thoughts in the comments below and tell us what you think.
Try it here:Try it here:
Jason Alexander, TwitLonger via @jearle
What purpose does an AR-15 serve to a sportsman that a more standard hunting rifle does not serve? Let's see - does it fire more rounds without reload? Yes. Does it fire farther and more accurately? Yes. Does it accommodate a more lethal payload? Yes. So basically, the purpose of an assault style weapon is to kill more stuff, more fully, faster and from further away. To achieve maximum lethality.
David Carr, the New York TimesDavid Carr, the New York Times
By now, after Columbine, Virginia Tech and Tuscon, there is a well-worn template of media response and viewers can't help but see fresh horrors as reruns of what came before. It is a sad fact that these tragedies share not only common characteristics – he (and it is always a he) acted alone, the guns were remarkably easy to obtain, and, of course, no one saw it coming – but also end up rolling out in very familiar ways in news reports. There is a cycle that threatens to become routine, to allow murderous rampages to become, as Jack Shafer wrote last Friday, "normalized."By now, after Columbine, Virginia Tech and Tuscon, there is a well-worn template of media response and viewers can't help but see fresh horrors as reruns of what came before. It is a sad fact that these tragedies share not only common characteristics – he (and it is always a he) acted alone, the guns were remarkably easy to obtain, and, of course, no one saw it coming – but also end up rolling out in very familiar ways in news reports. There is a cycle that threatens to become routine, to allow murderous rampages to become, as Jack Shafer wrote last Friday, "normalized."
Alyssa Rosenberg, Think Progress via @DannyGroner Alyssa Rosenberg, Think Progress via @DannyGroner
Mostly what I feel is this: Midnight screenings are big, hyped, advertiser-driven events that have become a source of new information to feed the Hollywood data beast, by indicating how motivated audiences are to see a movie. But they're also a product of genuine enthusiasm and an expression of collective joy. Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy has meant a lot to an enormous number of filmgoers. And as someone who writes about movies, and who cares about the big, flawed thing we call fandom, I'm saddened by someone turning that shared enthusiasm into a weapon.Mostly what I feel is this: Midnight screenings are big, hyped, advertiser-driven events that have become a source of new information to feed the Hollywood data beast, by indicating how motivated audiences are to see a movie. But they're also a product of genuine enthusiasm and an expression of collective joy. Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy has meant a lot to an enormous number of filmgoers. And as someone who writes about movies, and who cares about the big, flawed thing we call fandom, I'm saddened by someone turning that shared enthusiasm into a weapon.
Anthony Lane, the New YorkerAnthony Lane, the New Yorker
We have been here before, many times; once, very specifically, when John Hinckley, Jr., became fixated on "Taxi Driver", which came out five years before Hinckley attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan. What holds true then remains the case today: no film makes you kill.We have been here before, many times; once, very specifically, when John Hinckley, Jr., became fixated on "Taxi Driver", which came out five years before Hinckley attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan. What holds true then remains the case today: no film makes you kill.
Oliver Burkman, Guardian US Oliver Burkeman, Guardian US
This isn't an argument for splitting the difference between gun control supporters and opponents, by the way. I think there's overwhelming evidence in favour of more control. I just don't think that the Denver shootings are that evidence, yet.This isn't an argument for splitting the difference between gun control supporters and opponents, by the way. I think there's overwhelming evidence in favour of more control. I just don't think that the Denver shootings are that evidence, yet.