Columbine Massacre Discussion

[Promethium91]

I've always been fascinated by the Columbine shootings, and I don't really have anyone to discuss it with considering my interest in the topic seems to disturb everyone. Lately I've watched every documentary on the subject I can find, along with reading up information from various websites.

I just find it kind of perplexing how two students that everyone labeled very intelligent only managed to kill 13 people. They intended to kill at least 250, their two largest bombs failed to detonate, and most of their pipebombs were faulty.

The basement tapes are still being withheld by police after over a decade, and it's arguably the biggest piece of evidence from the whole event. You have to wonder what could possibly be in those tapes.

I'm kind of curious how everyone else feels about this. Why do you think they did it? Do you think it's right that psychologists have labeled at least one of them a psychopath?

I mean it seems to have been a rather crap effort from two people with obvious motivation and suggested intelligence. What do you think about it?

 

[Avitheus]

I do believe they were vastly intelligent and motivated, but you have to take a new perspective on it, as we are all humans, and all humans have emotions.

In my opinion i do believe that even a psychopath has to feel the untamable wraith of guilt as he is conducting a mass shooting / massacre.

I do believe they wanted to do what they did, but i also believe they always had something to hold them back from truly mastering their plan.

 

[Lame]

you cant find anyone to talk to about it? god damn the holocaust, ww2 and school shootings are the 3 most most popular topics i learned in highschool.

 

[I Bleed Duke Blue]

The only reason they didn't succeed in killing over 250 people is because the bombs set in the cafeteria or "commons" as they referred to it, failed to detonate. If those had detonated, it would have killed hundreds upon hundreds of kids, as they planned the demolition at the busiest time in the cafeteria. The library was above the cafeteria, and that would have been brought down by the power of the detonation.

They had initially planned to shoot kids fleeing from the bomb, but when it failed to detonate they had to improvise. Many believe that the casualties were therefore less because they had to murder their victims more "personally". Not to mention there were a ton of injuries so they probably thought they had killed more than "just" 13.

As for intelligence, they were definitely both smart, though it seemed Eric Harris applied himself more in school than Dylan Klebold. Many believe Eric to be a psychopath driven by killing, while Dylan was a depressed suicidal driven to killing by Harris.

But others report Dylan led Harris...we will never truly know.

My opinion? The Columbine Masscare is one of the few shootings that makes a little bit of sense. We do not know direct motive...but we do know the environment described at Columbine BEFORE the shooting paints a very disturbing picture. The teachers seemed to commit severe malfeasance when SO many warning signs were evident.

I remember reading Dylan + Eric had ketchup dipped tampons thrown at them...and while the age old debate is still whether they were bullied or did the bullying..it shows Columbine was a very unhealthy environment...

 

[V--own4g3--V]

I feel as though, as previously hinted, that Eric was the true mastermind behind the planning of the attack.

Being in the mental mindstate that Dylan currently, PRESUMABLY, was in, I feel as though Eric manipulated him very easily to take part in the actual massacre.

What you stated about feeling emotions is, in my opinion, completely accurate. Sure they killed that many, and although many of their key points in the plot failed, there had to of been some kind of recognition as to the horrendous things they were doing at the time. They easily could have killed more, just based off of people that hid under tables and desks while they walked by and knew they were there. Some people feel it was pure luck, others felt that they were beginning to express sympathy and regret while taking part, but they knew the damage had already been done.

In my opinion, relating Columbine to Newtown is vastly unintelligent. Each school shooting has so many different psychological aspects in terms of the gunmen, and you cannot really compare any two unless it is that of a psychopath with a copycat that finally breaks as well.

 

[I Bleed Duke Blue]

Another thing that not many people know is that the recoil of a shotgun blast that killed one of the victims hit Eric in the face and broke his nose. Surviving victims later said it looked as if he was dazed and disoriented. This could have aided in saving victims because nobody died after, they went back to the commons to try and detonate the bomb again (probably the first attempt at suicide).

Agreed bout not being able to compare this to any other shooting own4g3.

 

[X Skilled X]

Well your not the only one who is interested. Ever since the sandy hook shooting I have been researching all the school shootings throughout the oast decade. and collumbine was definitely the most interesting to me. I believe they did it because they were full of hate towards the human race. Their was definitely some crazy in them, but i feel it is a lot less than maybe the aura colorado shooting, where the shooter identified himself as the "joker". They were definitely smart kids, just full of anger. I know that dylan klebold made some levels for the online doom game back then, some of which are still playable today.

 

[I Bleed Duke Blue]

I don't find it that uncommon either, it's something many are interested in...the psychology behind it especially. I think tons research it and read about it..it is pretty capitviating.

Most people probably do not admit it though, I can sorta see why but hey if the media is going to basically glorify it..I might as well read about it.

 

[Sacro]

There are many reasons why the two didn't succeed. Many of them come down to sheer inexperience. They "knew" what to do, but they didnt "know" how to do it. Just like I can give you instructions on how to properly shoot 1000 yard targets with step by step instructions, but actually doing it is an entirely different story because it takes experience.

 

[Arto]

It pains me to see when such terrible events take place how people play the blame game.
Marylin Manson was partially blamed for this event, as if his music influanced them. He released a statment which I 100% stand by...

The [news] media has unfairly scapegoated the music industry and so-called Goth kids and has speculated, with no basis in truth, that artists like myself are in some way to blame. This tragedy was a product of ignorance, hatred and an access to guns. I hope the [news] media's irresponsible finger-pointing doesn't create more discrimination against kids who look different.

Ofcourse the event itself is painful enough.
It appears it could have been prevented as a lot of evidents points that way but what happened happened.
What could go through a lot of what if's..., enough to last a lifetime.

 

[Sacro]

It pains me to see when such terrible events take place how people play the blame game.
Marylin Manson was partially blamed for this event, as if his music influanced them. He released a statment which I 100% stand by...


Ofcourse the event itself is painful enough.
It appears it could have been prevented as a lot of evidents points that way but what happened happened.
What could go through a lot of what if's..., enough to last a lifetime.

I truthfully believe that is has absolutely nothing to do with access to guns. If a person wants to kill another person, a gun is a tool, nothing more.