When we talk about the dark side of human nature, many people shun such topics for one simple reason - They find it hard to comprehend. We have a romanticized image of human beings painted in our head and dethroning such an image is not very acceptable. People are used to listening to words like "compassionate " ,"loving", "caring" and instantly images of men or women sporting warm smiles and tending to children or animals pops into their heads.Then along comes an example like Ted Bundy or Harold Shipman who challenges these notions in our head. Men who have not only shown brutality in their acts of crime but have shown no sign of remorse. Such examples not only shock the conventional mind's but also raise an important question- What sort of influence can stimulate men/women to resort to such violence?. Some religious conservatives may point out that the absence of a moral code in their lives could have played a prominent role in their behavioral deformities. But the popular notion that serial killers and sociopaths are products of a broken home or an abusive upbringing has been shattered with many examples including those mentioned above. Both subjects came from conservative christian households, they had a good christian upbringing, a sound education, yet they transgressed into the monsters we know today. One of the most popular reasons cited and brandished around by the media and criminals alike is the influence of media on their behavior. This seems most convenient as the brashness of the media directors have increased over time . An AXE commercial today would have caused enough scandal to upset a multinational company 20 years ago. Popular influences of violence and anti social behavior can be traced to sitcoms like DEXTER , SPARTACUS BLOOD AND SAND etc. Certain "acclaimed" critiques have even criticized popular cartoon series TOM & JERRY to induce "violent" ,"anti social" behavior in children. Assuming children watching "aggressive" cartoons like ROAD RUNNER, TOM&JERRY, LOONY TUNES etc are gonna end up committing similar crimes its advisable to take these shows of the air, or at the least issue a PG-13 certificate.Keeping this "valid" point aside I strongly feel that human nature has more role to play than a few splashes of blood and body parts on screen. Going back in time when man first discovered the most potent weapon of his age, Fire. He would have discovered the joy of cooked meat , the security of sleeping without threat of predators. He also discovered the destructive power of fire. Many instances can be cited throughout history; The Dynamite, The Atom Bomb,etc.
"A knife in the hands of a murderer can take life , while the same knife in the hands of a surgeon can save life"
Human nature is as unpredictable as the universe we inhabit. Men and Women known to lead a calm collected life are seen to burst into uncontrollable rage at the smallest of irritants, to the surprise of their coworkers and family members. Now taking human nature as the side of a coin having two faces is both being just and prejudiced. Every person has the potential to do good or evil, but deeming someone totally evil or totally a saint due to their actions is a grave mistake. Take Harold Shipman for example, A british doctor convicted of murdering 15 of his patients and suspected of killing more than 500 patients over a span of 25 years. A doctor pledged to the oath of saving life , methodically putting his patients to death. Though Doctor Shipman's life ended hanging from his own prison cell, it goes to say how judgements are hard to make about a person's nature. He has been immortalised as THE MOST PROLIFIC SERIAL KILLER IN RECORDED HISTORY.
Another interesting case is of Ted Bundy,serial , killer ,rapist and pedophile. Convicted for killing more than 30 young women between the age of 15-25. He was introduced to the electric chair almost 15 years after his first criminal act, during which he fathered a child and enjoyed matrimonial bliss. He was also well educated, brought up in a christian home, though he attributes his violent behavior to his abusive granddad and "violent pornography" psychologist's have diagnosed his to have Anti Social Personality Disorder(ASPD). He not only was a charismatic and educated man, but was pursuing an honours course in law.Not only was he known to kidnap , kill and rape his victims, but in the days preceding to his arrest to break and enter into homes and bludgeon unsuspecting dwellers. The chi omega sorority being one of the cases of his desperate need to kill.
Coming back to our original question what exactly stimulated these violent outbursts in seemingly sane individuals, the answer is going remain a mystery just like how the human mind has eluded understanding. Maybe someday we will be able to understand what actually makes these people tick and stub it out before it enrages the whole community.
For further information on TED BUNDY and HAROLD SHIPMAN
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Bundy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Shipman
