Mass shooters want to be famous -- you're helping them | Tom Teves | TEDxMileHigh 

I studied sociology with a specialization in crime and deviance. Ive been saying this for years. I went to virginia tech. I was there when a shooter was on the loose. No one knows what that feels like unless youve been there. I went to school with allison parker she was a grade above me. I saw her on the news at a gas station 1500miles away is how i found out. Ive studied this for years. People need to understand these people many times have cried out for help for years and given none they lash out at society in the worse way. We need to not only do this but offer mental health to prevent future things. But this is a great start to deter these suicidal crys for notoriety. Thank you for bringing this to a larger crowd.

My high school experienced something similar- bomb threats. It took over a year to figure out who was doing them, and it turned out to be a student who was bullied mercilessly. He tried to reach out for help, but no one cared to listen, not even his family. So, he made the bomb threats to make the entire school understand the pain and terror that he felt every single day. He didn't hurt anyone, but, the tragedy is that he is now in federal prison because no one ever showed him any love, compassion, or friendship. All he ever knew was pain and terror. I was a victim of bullying as well, but I'm not in prison because somebody listened to me- *someone cared*. *That* is what these mass shooters want.

It’s very strange to me that this guy only got 74k views but I was watching another Ted talk where a person was given a platform to talk about how he was in a school that a shooting happened and it has 2 million. I feel like it just goes to prove his point about this Ted talk. This video needs that many views.

Soul crushing, you can hear the pain in Tom's voice... Regardless though, only facts came out of his mouth. 100% agreed with everything he said.

I am Thai and I can see how media can spread and stop this horrendous mass shooting at the same time. It is said that a media live streaming caused casualties in Thai mass shooting because it gave a murderer details regarding the rescue operation.

Last year a number of people at a mosque in New Zealand we're shot. The prime minister requested the murderer's name not to be mentioned and it wasn't.

Honestly this man is saying exactly what I have been saying for year's and it's very simple straight forward and factual.

This is why I love Philip De Franco's coverage - he refuses to share names. He does however, share names, and show faces of victims.

I'm an Australian. In the mid 90's a man went on a shooting spree at a place in Tasmania, Port Arthur. In the next year's World Guinness book of records his name was in there because of his actions. I was disgusted and never bought that book again.

Finally someone is saying this.....stop giving monsters attention!!!

2 years later and this is as true as ever. I’ve been trying to tell people this for years.

💖I'm sorry for your loss, it's all of our loss. There's not enough like him.💖

Media needed to wake up and realize this a long time ago.

This man is speaking the truth. Just take a moment and think about what he just said. Off the top of my head, I can remember the names of 4 mass shooters and 5 serial killers. Sadly, I don't remember the name of a single victim. I have seen the criminals faces so often, I could give the police a detailed sketch of them. The media has a lot to answer for. Since Columbine, there has been a large increase in the number of mass murder. Columbine was the first incident in which the perpetrators received mass coverage. This is no coincidence!

the fact that he can even speak so eloquently is amazing

So many people don't speak up when they see signs of someone who might become violent or suicidal. And when they do, people ignore them. When people do commit mass shootings, they so often have been ignored for years until that day. We don't know what to think, say or do when we see bullying, hear threats, see violence. So we keep silent on this topic. Chris Voss, author of Never Split The Difference, said one of the things people feel desperate to have is people's attention, not necessarily to agree with them, but to hear them in a way they feel understood. Doing this can reduce the resolve to cause harm in someone. I agree that once someone causes severe harm, like mass shootings, it's wrong to make them famous in the news, but listening one on one years earlier can go a long way to stop someone as they take what they call the killing journey.

This video has apprx. 77,000 likes as I watch this, and has been out for two years. Unfortunately, we aren't any good at protecting the innocent in this world, its really sickening.

Powerful. Absolutely powerful. This man is the GOAT.

still to this day, nothing changed and the shootings just increased.

Please do not forget: Monsters grow where nonody cares, where nobody sees and where nobody lisents, and where someone feels helples and ashamed. Pay Atention to the one who is unknown and isolates him selfe.

As media has connections with both the parties the murdered and the murderer, they get views and earn a lot. It was a good speech but it won't make things happen unless we personally take actions.

He is right. He is not wrong.

I am sorry for your loss. Really appreciate your study and solution. In fact this is a big solution that should be applied to all violent activities.

This guy is so well rehearsed. He speaks well and delivers good pacing and even uses some humor. He also 's kind of sounds like Sebastian Maniscalco

Murder is the best form of sending a message. It’s been used since the beginning of time.

Thank you. This idea has been on my heart for some time. My heart is broken for your family’s loss.

Horrible things like this are gold for our main stream media. Anyone old enough to be around for 9/11 knows how this works.

You nailed it Tom. Doing service work. I was in the home of a teenage boy and his step mother 10 years ago. The boy played baseball and was obsessed with being famous. He said "I'm going to be famous if I have to kill the president"(Bush at the time). Step mom said " Quit saying that _____ ". About 5 years ago he was convicted of armed robbery that involved several convenience stores in a ten mile radius. He never shot or injured anyone but he got what he sought -- 5 minutes of fame. The price decades in prison. Sorry, so very sorry for your loss. Keep going because you are right.

I have been saying this forever!!!! Stop making them famous

That’s crazy they go from unknown to having a wiki page 🤦🏿‍♂️

Exactly promote public safety, not making random, mass shooters famous!!

Thank you Alex for having such a wonderful father who loves us all 😘

THiS IS WHAT IVE BEEN SAYING !!!! For the past couple of years and not many people think about these things. Shooters want attention, fame, they want to be feared by the people who neglect them everyday !!!!!!!! It’s a cry for help ... “hey look at me I exist”

"We dont need an act of Congress, we need an act of conscience on the producers and consumers of mass media to remove the reward of notoriety." 100!

I’ve been saying this forever.

I was talking with my husband about this last night! I felt at an absolute loss for what to do in the face of such a huge issue because so many of the solutions are (1) highly politicized and (2) often feel like a losing situation. But in this, EVERYONE--except the murderer--wins, which is the whole point.

I totally agree!!! I always compare it to streakers or those people that will run on to a football or baseball field wanting the TV’s to show them for their 15 min of fame. Nowadays the networks refuse to show anyone that runs on the field. Compare now to the 70’s and 80’s. There was someone on the field nearly every game back then. Now maybe one or two a year??

No this is not true. Anger that builds up over long periods of time + social alienation is what causes mass shootings.

This is what I've been saying for years, ever since the Virginia Tech shooter sent a 30 minute video to the post office. And I would be even more restrictive. This speaker is willing to let the media mention the shooters name one time per article/report. I say let them mention it zero times, or assign a name of Joe Shooter. If the media push back on it just use their own tactics and ask them, "Does that mean you're in favor of more children dying?" There are other ideas to help reduce the number of these events, but this one doesn't cost anything. After the recent event in Texas, I mentioned this idea in some correspondence I had with the former head of security for one of the larger high schools in OKC to try to get some support or validation for it but I think she misunderstood my request. She stated that the most effective method is to restrict access in and out of these schools, while classes are in session, to one point with metal detectors and armed security. She didn't comment on my idea because I think she thought that I was suggesting the gag order in lieu of her security check point. I believe that any success will only come from the implementation of multiple tactics. I do not have a background, or any experience, in security or law enforcement, or teaching.

My name is EIRINI LAMPRAKOU. I live in Vouliagmeni athens |Greece. This came from my head that's why you are in my house

Congratulations for your TED talk. Very good, clear and useful. Greetings from BCN

I totally agree with this guy. Respect to this guy for speaking his mind and speaking it so well. Good point Tom Teves.

It's fine to talk about what happened. Talk about who was hurt, where it was, that kind of stuff. But dont give the killer what they want. Dont show them, dont say their name, like he said, unless necessary. Why is this so hard to understand? Why cant major media just listen?

I haven't studied this but have thought this every time I hear about it.

The media is *fully cognizant* of this. The media has decided "Story trumps Facts". The only exceptions to the general rule of "Amp Everything" are events that have some decidedly inconvenient fact. "But Shrike! Conspiracy thinking!" There's a difference between "The dots" and "The connections."

Been saying this since Aurora. Why do the media constantly give them what they want? More than anything else, they want to be famous.

The speaker is absolutely correct. These shooters should not be given any press whatsoever. Like 1000s of Americans, I was glued to my screen for hours as I watched the tragedy in Uvalde and its aftermath. I found myself holding up my hand so as not to see the shooter when his face appeared on my screen.

This video deserves more views than it already has.

This ain't gonna stop them from doing it.

549 likes vs 37 dislikes how are there 37 who saw this and thought this is a bad idea

I agree that the media is not helpful, but these young men were not mentally healthy. They are in the news because people are trying to understand. I agree to stop using their name and pictures but instead help us understand the signs and symptoms so we can identify those at risk, keep them away from weapons, and get them the help they need.

This needs more than 75k views

Thank God I'm not the only one who's been thinking this. My only disagreement with this speaker is I think his organization doesn't ask for enough. Just one mention of the shooter's name and his picture only in non-prominent locations? How about zero mentions of his name and zero images of his face? Does the public need this information? Does it benefit us in any way? And zero mentions of his motivation, too. The reason the person says they did it is never the real reason. The real reason is they're angry and have mental health problems and have arbitrarily placed blame for their anger on some group. We don't need to know what invented reason he came up with, it doesn't matter in the slightest. What does matter is the lives that will be saved by making these shooters anonymous. No matter which side of the gun debate you're on, I think we can all support that.

Glorify, instead, men like Jack Wilson.

Thanks so much for this VERY IMPORRTEND speak,i will share to all my friends and tell family member what you say.GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR YOR LOSS AMEN.💕💕💕💕👏👏👏👏

My question in 2024 is, now that we don't convict criminal anymore and people getting let out in less than five years. Is it beneficial to limit the face of these criminal when they come back into society? It's not going to limit to only mass shooters. Korea has a similar law where even if you're convicted the media might not even released your picture at all. Criminals are back in society recommitting as we speaks. There are cases people can look up relating to this topic in Korea and how it is working out for them.

Indian pro govt media is the worst..i understand what to do.thank u sir..👏

Is there any reason to release the shooter's picture or name? No, it's color commentary for the 24 hour news cycle.

I get his reasoning 100%. Not easy to do though in the Information Age

Just come across this - Bookmarked it to watch tomorrow

And here we are July 4, 2022 and Highland Park has been attacked. Thank you for this information, hoping we learn

Very sorry for your loss

Imagination is better than knowledge .do you agree?

Finally, some rational opinions on the topic of mass shootings.

I'm speechless..

This is real the main problem is the people and their consuming behavior and the population problems...

I've said this for many years, and I'm an old man now. They could be identified by some repugnant word and the last four digits of their S.S. #

Stop this. please. Stop. So very Sorry for your loss. But please we are all hurting from our own personal devastations. I’ll never ever involve another into something that was unimaginable

sadly the media are right back to their old ways.

If this were the shooters trial it would have had 20m views

1 councilor per school isn’t enough, much less tossing free mental health out the window, that’s the problem along with the disconnect that comes with technology!!

actually this sounds exactly like something an act of congress could solve. don't know why he thinks and app or whatever would be better.

These things happen all the time in America. Lots of people have guns therefore lots of people get shot. It's not rocket science.

Thank you.

Good work giving this whole talk without giving the name of one mass killer. Too bad I counted three murderers named in the comments.

infamous, not famous, right?

But so what if someone is famous? Nobody really cares about them in the end.

STILL SOUNDS LIKE MORE A PARENTING ISSUE. LOVE YOUR KIDS, SUPPORT, TEACH THEM TO LOVE TO LEARN AND BE INDEPENDENT, TEACH UR KIDS TO BE ENTREPRENEURS DONT LET THE INTERNET RAISE THEM

Some media is getting better. On CNN, some of the anchors refuse to use mass shooters’ names or photos, but it isn’t across the board. It should be. If we could make it a regulation, even for just the Associated Press, it would help.

Execute them!!! No trial firing squad !!!

Good discussion.

Powerful

Peaceful intent rallies, the constant calm persistence using discipline, that is what makes lasting change. Look at ANY great HUMAN that had a long/hard journey still smiling. I will listen to what they have to say. Change is coming brace. 👍🇺🇸2nd

5:00 well either that or ban assault guns

Sensualization... it's what media does best.

Tedx put this as this video at the top of their channel. This RU-vid is profiting off recent events

Make it illegal for any news sources to say the name of the shooter or to show any photos of his face... like.. yea, news will be happy to tell the story in detail, but wont say the name

This is a nice speech but my question is if all this inspiration is out there how come every day people still die and suffer and do horrible things across the earth? It’s kind of crazy. No matter how much good you do you can’t save everyone and it has never added up fast enough. I wish there was an absolute solution like worldwide peace but that’s not possible as far as I know. Even if we were to achieve that what good is that to all the people who suffered and died and can’t be brought back. And even if we could reverse all that what was the point of those people suffering in the first place? It’s very sad and it doesn’t make any sense completely senseless and tragic and wrong. Life could be so amazing for so many people if not all people but tragedy and suffering soils it.

This is awful and irresponsible. Studies have been done on the motivations of mass killers, and "attention" is *very* low on their priorities. They aren't doing it for attention. And furthermore, if they are dead, it doesn't matter anyway, because the dead cannot experience any of the attention you give them. Are we supposed to just cover our eyes and ears when a mass shooting happens, to ensure that we have as little understanding as possible of why they did it and how to prevent more? Apparently so.

I bet some shooters don't care to be remembered. They just want to have the last laugh on society.

When the media says "the motive is unknown at this time". My first thought is 'I don't care what the motive is'. F that person and their motive.

Porfavor se los suplico podrían poner traducción a español, la comunidad latina somos muchos, valoramos mucho la. Información que aquí se comparte,

Just stop watching TV.

The destruction of everything in the name of the money $$$$$$....

DEFUND THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA

The seeking of celebrity is a symptom of a society that values wealth and celebrity over achievement. People who add value to society are all but ignored in favor of people who win the social media lottery and become famous for being famous. That is what drives these people. The need to have an impact or be a part of society is being overshadowed by cultural reverence for worthless lottery winners who do nothing but take. Taking attention, taking resources, taking opportunity, and taking lives are all the same metric. The successful take. Everyone else is just taken from. That's the source of the mental illness as well as the core reason people commit acts of mass violence. They believe their life has been rendered worthless by society, so they want to lash out in a way that society cannot ignore. That's the real truth. Tom here is just a grieving father trying to make sense of chaos from a perspective void of real information or any sort of thorough understanding. Attempting to defect blame away from ourselves won't solve these kinds of problems. These people will just find a larger platform that will prevent society from being able to ignore them. You can't cure a profoundly sick society by isolating and treating those suffering its ill effects. You have to change society itself.

I agree so much. One thing I also wish would change is how easily these people can get ammo to automatics. I get being a gun collector or having a gun for self defence but why can people easily get ammo for guns that spit bullets so crazily that even law enforcement has a hard time stopping them. I'm a European that moved to the US a few years ago so I'm not used to guns and I'm not desensitized to a feeling where it doesn't affect me, it makes me feeling so physically ill every time there's gun violence no matter if someone died or not, but especially where automatics were involved. I super wish ammo was hard to get. It's fine using an expensive bullet or two in self defence but why can they even afford or access thousands of bullets sometimes? I genuinely wish this would change. :( In my home country if someone wants to harm another person they have to use knives and while that is terrifying enough it is hard to kill a lot of people that way plus you'd have to stare the person in the eyes up close and personal and luckily theres a very few number of that level of crazy... so I wish it was harder to succeed. 💔 Alex, I will not forget your brave story. I'm proud of your father for getting this story told eventhough it was hard for him. I'm proud of you for protecting the woman you love and I'm sorry you had to make that decision that day. ⚘

Stop the fame seeking and stop the method blaming. Murder is murder, the method being "glorified/demonized" is just as bad.

News Media gossips and slanders. Its biblical.

Replay what you think