Capitalizing on tragedy - why?

Question

Why do you think certain kinds of people feel it necessary to capitalize on tragedies such as VT in order leap up on a soapbox and air their socio-political views that sometimes are barely even related to the tragedy?

Debate is one thing but these types seem less interest in debate and more interest in promoting their socio-political views.

Already we've seen close to a dozen posts about the worth of American lives as opposed to others (even though international students were victims as well). I've seen this type of comment over and over after 911 and Katrina. This is nothing new or thought-provoking and yet these comments get thrown out time and time again.

Also people are using VT to launch into tirades about Iraq, America, South Korea, racism, guns, liberals-conservatives, etc...

Why? Is it just for the sick fun of verbally assaulting people when they're vulnerable? Is it just for the attention they'll get?

Being intellectually dishonest is what these people are doing in faking sincerity to use this tragedy to air pent-up anger; hence they are capitalizing on it. It has nothing to do with Money at all but getting attention and throwing verbal stones.

Anyone with tact and common sense would realize why such questions are:
1. illogical - the event was recent, occuring at a uni not a war zone and in happened in the States hence the amount of coverage the US media gives it. Plus it was completely unexpectant and bizarre hence all the coverage.

2.Tactless - people are trying to deal with the unexpectant tragedy and then the likes of you want to throw dirt at them for being selfish. Did you ask this question about Indonesians when there was all that coverage of the 2004 Tsunami?

Answer 1

Honestly, I've asked myself the same question countless times. It seems to me that the shock of a large number of untimely deaths is just seen as an opportunity to get a point across to an audience looking for answers. Most Americans are looking for someone to blame, some way that we can "fix" things so that we can feel safe again. Each and every one of these people is capitalizing on that fear and grief for political purposes.

Personally, I feel it is extremely disrespectful, and would even venture to compare it to the Westboro Baptist Church, which pickets military funerals with signs saying things like, "Thank God for 9/11" and "God Loves IEDs." Basically, they just take advantage of an emotional time in many people's lives to try to push an agenda. It's terrible.

Answer 2

I don't feel the people posting on here are Capitalizing on tragedy. Some are here because they want to understand why this happen. Not how but Why. I for one am alone right now. I have seen the news and listened to it on my drive to and from work. What it is for me is knowing that I am not alone in the shock that so many died and so many more are in so much pain over it. I cried for those poor people.

They were not in a war zone and not killed because of Mother nature. This was cold blooded murder. It was planed just like 911
They were at a school. There to learn. They were not fighting off someplace. It was no different than when I cried last year when those poor girls were murdered and when other schools have fallen victim to this kind of tragedy.


The people who will be Capitalizing on tragedy are those who will go to schools and sell cameras and alarms. They will do it now because people are scared

Answer 3

I was watching the news today after NBC received the footage of Cho. An FBI profiler was on and was asked if he thought these images should be shown on TV to the public after such a tragedy. He said no. He said he would let people know they received it, but should not show it over and over again to people who are so traumatized by this horrible event. Not 30 seconds later... more and more of these images were shown. Just as news organizations use these things to boost their ratings- politicians, citizens, etc will also use it as an opportunity. I think there are a lot of sick people out there who just don't get it or even want to get it- or most distubing- don't care. It's a "me-me-me" society we live in.

Answer 4

Capitalizing on tragedy?

First of all, I'm not gaining financially from my question or what happened at VT.

Second if you'd take a minute to THINK about my question and stop being intellectually dishonest with everyone you'd understand that I was interested to see if anyone has noticed that although a mass killing just happened in the USA, it happens all the time in other countries. As US citizens, have we become so shallow and callous towards the human condition that when we get hit, it's the end of the world yet when other countries suffer it's 'just another day' and our 'bubble' will protect us?

I realize that others have suggested that gas prices may go up or global warming is the real culprit or whatever. Maybe I didn't word my question properly. Some people understood the seriousness of my question while others reacted with their gut. I wasn't asking what your gut thought... I was asking what your brain thought.

Answer 5

I think it's because our society has become so "me" in it's ideals, morals and culture. Nobody wants to work for the betterment of society, only it's destruction along with the people in it.

Take for example, television. Shows like American Idol are not just a judgement in someones singing ablity and stage presence but on their looks. The judges on the show cut ridicule people trying to do their best for the interests of ratings. People watching at home just want to see the shock value of what will happen next.

So, it will go on and on. Without thought, people will capitalize on tragedies like Virginia Tech to push ideas that are self serving because they want to be heard or just feel the need for their own fifteen minutes of fame. More and more we will see people like this guy Cho acting out against others because he/they doesn't feel that society has given him/them enough attention.

Society is going to get worse, not better.

Answer 6

People who feel their opinions are being marginalized often latch onto prominent current events to give a boost to their views. It's just a method to obtain attention for their views which they normally cannot aspire to.

Answer 7

it's called "getting ratings'
c'mon how many people have watched CNN, MSNBC etc..for the last two days instead of Friends and Raymond reruns?

OMG the world is going to hell in a handbasket, b/c of etc..it spikes ratings...