I am totally flabbergasted at what I am seeing on the cable news networks: a constant dissection of the motives of Seung-Hui Cho for his massacre earlier this week, accompanied by still photos of Cho-with-hammer, Cho-with-handgun, and intermittent broadcasts of Cho fulminating against an unknown "you" in his signature low and monotone voice.
And yet, as a historian, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised.
Among other things, I've written about the history of disasters; and one commonality to all 19th-century disasters was "disaster tourism." In 1862, when the great beam engine fell into the Hartley Mill, and miners were trapped inside to suffocate to death, people flocked for miles around to satisfy their curiosity, and vendors who wanted to capitalize on the situation sold ginger-cakes and beer.
In America in 1860, the five-story Pemberton Mill collapsed in Lawrence, Mass, sending hundreds of workers to their deaths, either by crushing, or later by burning to death when the kerosene lanterns brought by rescuers ignited the cotton fluff sitting around. Authorities had to particulary ask people not to stress the railroad system by attempting to flock to the scene and see for themselves.
I have to think that any defense of showing the Cho tapes falls into this vein--that seeing death and disaster is titillating to some people. Because otherwise, the defenses of showing the Cho tapes that I am seeing here and on TV just don't make sense.
- The Unabomber's manifesto was printed, but only in the hopes of catching the guy. Cho is already dead.
- The tapes are re-traumatizing both those whose loved ones were there, those who themselves were there, and those who can empathize with those who were involved.
- If there is any chance of a copycat incident, this may push someone over the edge. After all, it's a great opportunity to get not only your name, but also your particular disturbed worldview, shared with the world.
- It's not "normal" to show crime-related footage of this nature; the only reason that it's happening is that it was sent to NBC rather than, say, the FBI--and Cho evidently timed the news cycle really well by sending it out between crimes.
- The footage may indeed help someone somewhere to get a window into Cho's world: but isn't it a little late for that now? I'd be happy to let a panel of experts diagnose Cho after the fact if it will help others with mental illnesses, but going beyond that is just satisfying your curiosity.
Don't be a disaster tourist.