Metadish, Fresh from NYC

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We’ve intentionally avoided any coverage of the Va. Tech tragedy but we have to say something about this morning’s events. If you’ve seen pretty much any newspaper or website you’ve seen the so called “multimedia manifesto” left behind by the man responsible for the worst shooting in American history.

Doesn’t anyone think it might be a mistake to actually give this guy so much publicity? Television won’t even show crazed fans who run onto the field at sporting events for fear of copycats just wanting to get on TV. After Columbine, which Seung-Hui specifically mentions, school shootings are not televised live for fear of copycats seeking infamy.

Now this person who has extinguished so many lives has gotten exactly what he wanted. To be somebody. To be famous. To be infamous. It’s not to say that someone shouldn’t see these videos and examine them for clues to hopefully prevent a future tragedy. Possibly even share it with the families of the victims to help with their closure.

But, although it’s too late, it seems as though it may have been a good idea for mainstream media to step back and weigh the consequences of publishing this crazed manifesto.

Sometimes ratings and numbers aren’t the most important things.

Update: Some other thoughts from around the blogosphere.

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