We know that the copycat, generalized imitation, or media contagion effects are real, and yet the anti-liberty left and its media propaganda arm persist in promoting mass murder.
Have you noticed an all too familiar pattern in what is taking place in the nation’s socialist media? Just as they did after the Buffalo mass murder, the far-left’s propaganda arm is going hog wild in exploiting the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas. Each trying to outdo the other, but ten times worse than the previous crime.
Numerous studies on the subject have shown a high probability that with this level of wall-to-wall coverage, there will be another mass murder tragedy within 13 days. One of the more recent studies published in the Library of Medicine [PubMed.gov] entitled: Mass Shootings: The Role of the Media in Promoting Generalized Imitation concluded that while the media wasn’t directly responsible for these acts, they stated that:
In instances of mass shootings, the media appear largely responsible for providing the model to imitate. Although there are a variety of strategies that could function in tandem to alter the likelihood of a mass shooting, changing the way the media report mass shootings is one important step in preventing and reducing imitation of these acts. Furthermore, media-prompted imitation likely extends beyond mass shootings. A media effect has been shown with suicide,
It was just a day after the Buffalo attack that Reuters ran the following story with the headline: ‘Copycat’ mass shootings becoming deadlier, experts warn after New York attack:
Adam Lankford, a criminology professor at the University of Alabama, has studied trends in mass shootings over time.
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Lankford’s study found that the “deadliest” shootings comprised 25% of mass public shootings from 1966 to 2009, but from 2010 to 2019 had increased to 50% of mass public shootings, in which there was “direct evidence that perpetrator was influenced by another specific attacker or attackers.”
Lankford said the rise in these copycat mass killings have a specific trend: the gunmen find their inspiration from the personal life details of previous mass shooters. “It’s not repeating the incident that inspires them. It’s the intimate details of their lives that promotes the influence,” he said.
We also noted this back on May 17, 2022:
We should all be aware of the phenomenon of media contagion, whereby wall-to-wall coverage, cynically exploited by the anti-liberty left for political purposes to suppress civil rights, also encourages further attacks.
Numerous other media sources have discussed this issue over the years:
Coffee the Christian way: Promised Grounds
- Mass Shootings and News Media: A Connection? (Newsweek)
- Here’s What We Know About The Contagion Effect Of Mass Shootings(The Huffington Post)
- How the Media Inspires Mass Shooters (Mother Jones)
- Mass Shootings May Be Affected by ‘Media Contagion’: Researchers (ABC news)
- Should media avoid naming the gunmen in mass shootings? (Associated Press)
- Mass Shootings Can Be Contagious, Research Shows (NPR)
- Mass shootings: Experts say violence is contagious, and 24/7 news cycle doesn’t help (NBC news)
- PBS’ Frontline irresponsibly ignores the “media contagion effect” and gives notoriety to school shooters (Media matters)
- How the media covers mass shootings has evolved. But is it better? (Boulder Weekly)
Suffice it to say, if several of them have made note of this phenomenon, they all should know of it. After all, they claim to be in the information business and this is a very serious topic that directly impacts their decision-making process. In short, they should have no excuse for not knowing about the issue of media contagion because it directly involves their business.
We can’t help but notice that it seems like we’re also witnessing another aspect of this perverse far-left media phenomena. Aside from generalized comments on the subject matter that refer to the Buffalo tragedy, it has been completely eclipsed by the new one. Whether this is by accident or design is hard to discern. However, this tendency could act as an additional impetus for the next chumbucket. There has also been news of shutting down all campuses of the Donna independent school district in Texas after a credible threat was reported to the police. A search of one of the suspects homes turned up an AK-47 and a “hit list of targeted students”.
We also discovered an interesting study that indicates why the anti-liberty left moves so fast in these situations. A study shows that the emotions surrounding a mass murder tragedy last only 3-4 days, after which they drop off significantly. This means they only have a narrow window to make “bipartisan appeals that draw on the emotional responses to mass shootings”.
So, how many human-shaped ‘ticking time bombs’ are out there like the two that have already gone off? How many psychologically damaged children, worsened by the COVID lockdowns are being ‘inspired’ by the wall-to-wall media coverage to imitate others? Unfortunately, the studies show that we’re going to have to wait for about another week or so to find out. Curiously enough, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is going to force a vote on gun control legislation after the Memorial Day recess on June 3. Long after the 4 days’ emotional response period to the current tragedy. But what would happen if another took place in a few days?
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
