Massacre in Las Vegas

I considered making this a separate thread but decided to just continue in this one.

What about a purely MEDICAL focus for awhile? Motivation and Medicine.

One possibility is malaria acquired in the Philippines. The parasite can be sexually transmitted also but usually that is male to female. Malaria and impaired metabolism of carbohydrates can increase assaultive behavior. We don't know however if he travelled there, only that she did.

A much stronger theory would of course be Toxoplasmosis gondii as a somatic infection wherein the protozoan eventually infiltrated the cranium. This, with altered tryptophan and kynurenene levels would result in increased risk taking behavior (gambling) and increased assaultive behavior (suicide, homicide). Serum and hair testing should be performed. The primary metabolite of tryptophan metabolism of interest is n-formyl kynurenine which is heavily influenced by vitamin B6 levels.

Any other medical causation issues come to mind?

Quote: Fleastiff

Texas Tower was a sniping incident but one of the early targets was the subject of five rounds. This incident allowed additional people to scatter and seek cover.

Do you have a source on this? According to accounts that I have read, Whitman never shot any victim more than once. It seemed to be a deliberate rule in his sick game. What saved lives in that incident was the civilians shooting at Whitman with hunting rifles. It forced him to stay below the wall and shoot through drainage holes limiting his targets.

Quote: JimRockford

Whitman never shot any victim more than once.

He never shot this victim at all but he did expend five rounds and a good bit of time in the attempt. This was a guy who was zigzagging for cover finally found some behind a column but was still visible and foolishly/bravely? had an arm and hand around the column and felt the bullet send granite fragments onto his hand. It was quite early in the incident and the PBS re-enactment film director would be your best source on this.

Quote: JimRockford

Do you have a source on this? According to accounts that I have read, Whitman never shot any victim more than once. It seemed to be a deliberate rule in his sick game. What saved lives in that incident was the civilians shooting at Whitman with hunting rifles. It forced him to stay below the wall and shoot through drainage holes limiting his targets.

In any of these multiple shooting events, when someone be it the authority's or armed citizens start shooting back at the perp is when the dynamic changes and the murderers killing slows significantly or stops.

All the laws to restrict guns hasn't stopped crazed killers. The one thing not try'd is more armed people.

My suggestion on airlines is more armed sky marshals toward the back of the plane instead of this crazy TSA baloney with lines stretched forever and frisking old ladies diapers while allowing burka's to remain in place.

Here is my two cents on the shooting: Commentary on the Las Vegas Shooting. I welcome commentaries on my commentary.

Quote: Wizard

Here is my two cents on the shooting: Commentary on the Las Vegas Shooting. I welcome commentaries on my commentary.

Thoughtful and well written Wizard. I appreciate that you put a human face on the tragedy by sharing about your friends and acquaintances, as well as your own personal situation.

Quote: Wizard

Here is my two cents on the shooting: Commentary on the Las Vegas Shooting. I welcome commentaries on my commentary.

"Consider medication. I've never said this publicly before, but I started taking antidepressants a year ago. All things considered, it has helped a lot."

Interesting. What does the depression feel
like, how did you know it was depression
and not just unhappiness with your life.

Quote: Wizard

Here is my two cents on the shooting: Commentary on the Las Vegas Shooting. I welcome commentaries on my commentary.

I agree that depression, autism, shyness, and social awkwardness run in professional gamblers, APs, and just anyone who is not your average mark at the casino not caring if they lose or even play right. When you do better alone, a casino lets you be alone though surrounded by people. I would suspect that feeds some people's depression, go out to be with people but still alone.

Quote: Evenbob

Interesting. What does the depression feel
like, how did you know it was depression
and not just unhappiness with your life.

I could spend hours discussing the answer to that question. For me it is a deep emptiness. Things that make other people happy do little for me, especially in the dark times. For some it gets so bad there is no reason to get out of bed as there is no joy to look forward to in the day. People who suffer from depression tend to see the world as a dark unfriendly place and will magnify the evil in it. A song I relate to is The Sound of Silence. It is of a world where people have little meaningful to say and don't listen anyway. Once you strip out all the noise, there is just silence left. A deep lonely silence. One that you become so used to that you take refuge in it to escape the wicked world.

When this feeling is there all the time, although the degree can vary, I think it goes beyond just unhappiness. Depression I wouldn't even phrase as extremely unhappiness but more of an emptiness.

Yeah. I could go on and on. Its hard to describe but if you have it, you know it.

Quote: Wizard

Yeah. I could go on and on. Its hard to describe but if you have it, you know it.

In former times, before shrinks started
labeling everything, what you describe
would mean dissatisfaction with your
life and your place in the world. But
I've never been depressed, what do I
know. I try and have things every day
that I look forward to doing. It's why
I have a dog, they are always excited
about everything and always want
to do whatever you're doing. I always
tell people that if they feel down, just
get a little dog, it works wonders.