I have Asperger's, I play violent video games -- and I'm not going to shoot you

[sarisataka]

(CNN) -- If the so-called evidence from mass shootings is to be believed, you should fear me simply because I've played violent games and because I have Asperger syndrome.

After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings one year ago, many speculated on whether shooter Adam Lanza had Asperger's, a form of autism. And Aaron Alexis, who killed 13 in September's Washington Navy Yard shooting, had a history of playing violent video games. It seems that every time there's a horrible act of violence in our society, we rush to blame it on something like this.

In reality, I'm squeamish. I play video games, particularly shooting games, because they keep my hand-eye coordination up and help me think on my feet. I'm ordinarily quite clumsy physically, and I don't always think on my feet very well, both of which are traits that come along with the Asperger's diagnosis. In fact, I've found that many characteristics of people with Asperger's can be improved by playing video games: difficulty communicating via body language and facial expressions, seeing things in black and white, lack of physical coordination, lack of social skills, and having very focused interests. My fine motor skills wouldn't work terribly well if it wasn't for video games and computers. And I never paid much attention to detail before video games -- try getting a job without that skill.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/13/opinion/aspergers-video-games-sandy-hook-irpt/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1

A view on stereotyping mass shooters. Good read.

[B2G]

1. Well duh

Anyone who watches The Big Bang Theory knows this to be true.

[ck4829]

2. I really think Adam Lanza had a whole host of issues

He shouldn't be compared to anyone. And I think it's rather depressing that people are comparing as many mentally ill people as they can to this atypical and amoral shooter. There needs to be discussions, sure, but this one does not help in any way.

According to this, he did no face to face communications to anyone as the massacre neared, communicating to his mother only by email, even though they were in the same house.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ruth-marcus-nancy-lanza-a-mother-tragic-and-infuriating/2013/11/26/30efee1c-56cb-11e3-835d-e7173847c7cc_story.html

I guess he underwent some sort of derealization that he saw other people only as 'points' he could get (Not just seen in video games, but military things too, snipers with verified kills for example), that's just my opinion though.

[KamaAina]

3. Welcome aboard!

We have our own DU Group.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1145

[sarisataka]

4. I am not the author...

though I do have a relative with asperger's so will will accept the invitation

[Hoyt]

5. Did not read article, but if writer carries a gun in public and/or has a closet full of guns,

I'd say they are at least suspect. Same, if they spout 2nd Amendment crud.

[sarisataka]

6. Well, I guess you can read the article

or just live with your prejudice

[Ranchemp.]

7. He'd rather live with his prejudice.

He proved it by admitting that he hadn't even bothered to read the article, which, BTW, was informative.

[Hoyt]

8. Yep, I am very prejudiced/bigoted toward those who pollute society with their gun love.

[sarisataka]

9. Points for honesty n/t

[Glassunion]

10. Well, here in 'Murica, we like the all or nothing approach.

Whenever something happens, we demand a simple one size fits all solution. However, if that one size fits all happens to have an effect on us personally, we deny it completely. We cannot stand the idea of a series of mitigating factors. It's too messy and takes work.

A. I hate guns
= This whole thing could be solved by getting rid of them

B. I like guns
= We need more guns to solve the problem, this whole thing could be solved by addressing the mental illness issues

C. I have mental illness
= Mental illness is not the issue at all, this whole thing could be solved by addressing our culture of violence on tv and movies

D. I am an artist
= TV, movies, and video games are not the issue, this whole thing can be solved by good parenting

E. I am a parent
= Parenting is not the issue, this whole thing can be solved by addressing our over-medicating of our children

F. I medicate my child
= My child's medication is not the issue, this whole thing can be solved by addressing bullies in our schools

G. I was bullied
= Being bullied is not the issue, this whole thing could be solved by addressing our over abundance of guns... Go back to A and start over.

Addressing all of the issues of parenting, medication, violence in our culture, guns, mental illness, or whatever the blame du jour is, is way too messy. It's smart, but no one will buy it, because in some way or another it will probably effect everyone. Since everyone is involved, nothing will get done, and we will continue our never ending habit of deflection. We all have issues, the wise thing to do I think would be to address them instead of incessantly blaming something else.

We are all unique, and no two people handle mental illnesses, parenting, gun ownership, consumption of art, etc... in the same way. It is not fair to lump all the blame onto one group, however it is also unfair to say that none play a part. Hopefully the ADA will address several of the mitigating factors surrounding mental illness and medication. Guns and our violent culture should also be looked at.

[sarisataka]

11. It is a multifaceted problem

which is why I believe any approach that only deals with a single point is doomed to fail.

Mental health must be addressed, teen interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution, the casual acceptance of physical violence, the glorification of violence in the media and *here I commit heresy* the availability and issues with the transfer of fire arms. With a massive effort we could possibly remove one of these or the other factors that relate to mass violence. Yet with the others untouched, the root is not destroyed.

Unfortunately the roots are in our psyche so we can never truly eradicate the causes but a campaign, or likely series of campaigns, that work to reduce all of the issues will help to reduce the causes of violence, be it by bomb, gun, fist or word.

[Jesus Malverde]

12. serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Are generally seen as a common catalyst.

Violence and Serotonin: Influence of Impulse Control, Affect Regulation, and Social Functioning