Abstract This paper explores how the media can positively affect criminal investigations as much as it can hinder the investigations. It looks at how copycat crimes can possibly be created based on the amount of publicity a crime receives and the ensuing sensationalism. Twenty adults are interviewed with a questionnaire in an attempt to gather information concerning the public's perception of the effect of the media's coverage of serious crimes and incidents.
From the Paper "In his essay, ?Courts and the Media,? Charles S. Clark points towards the massive publicity of the O.J. Simpson trial, as the event that renewed an old debate, between the Constitution and the media. Clark suggests that the integrity of the first and sixth amendments is coming into question in the media. The first amendment guarantees, the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press, while the sixth amendment guarantees a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury. How can a person get a fair trial when, the media is always willing to exploit high profile court cases, and the Constitution comes into play?"
Abstract This paper examines the parallels that exist in the films "Copycat" and "Silence of the Lambs", discussing the significance of gender in the movies as well as the ways in which the victims, criminals and investigators relate to each other. In spite of the similarities in the two films, the paper concludes that the message and the dynamics of the two films are nonetheless strikingly different.
From the Paper "On a surface level, the films "Copycat" and "Silence of the Lambs" parallel each other in important ways. In both cases a young investigator is teamed with an older one to help solve a serial murder. In both cases the nature of the crime is defined at least in some measure by gender with female identity equated with victimization. And, in both cases, the gender of the investigator is also important both to the investigation itself and to the ways in which victims, criminals and investigators relate to..."
Abstract The paper discusses adolescent bullying behavior and general personal and family-based psychological dysfunctions that often trigger violent acts. The paper further discusses how the sensational nature of shooting events contributes to the copycat phenomenon. The paper contends that more than other factors, the widespread availability of firearms in the United States results in more school shootings than would be possible if firearms were more difficult to acquire and more tightly regulated. The paper thus concludes that regardless of the sincerity of efforts directed at other contributory elements, failure to address gun control will handicap our ability to prevent school shootings.
Outline:
Introduction
School Bullying and Other Psychological Factors
Gun Control
Publicity and the Copycat Phenomenon
Conclusion
From the Paper "School shootings have occurred periodically in the United States and the rest of the world ever since Charles Whitman, a University of Texas engineering student, took up his sniper position in the Bell Tower above the campus, killing 16 people and wounding another 31 before being killed by police in 1966 (USSS & UDDOE 2002). Since then, some of the most infamous incidents include the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado that took 15 lives and the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre that accounted for more deaths (33) than any other American school shooting."
Analyzes cinematic fascination with serial killers. Focuses on "Seven" and "Copycat" with references to other recent films including "Silence of the Lambs".
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 3 sources, 1995, $ 79.95
From the Paper "Semiotics is the study of how meaning is generated through repeated images and signs which shape texts. Psychoanalytic theory is used to examine texts to delve into the unconscious motivations of characters or even of the author of the text. Artists make use of signs to convey meaning, and they also develop intentionally the psychological motivations for their characters, taking into account the unconscious and other forces shaping behavior. The analysis of a media trend currently in vogue shows how the two can be brought together around a specific type of text. The primary text is the film Seven, an example of current media interest in the serial killer and in the tracking down of the serial killer. This theme is seen in a number of recent films, notably Seven, Copycat, and The Silence of the Lambs, and in television shows, with two shows on the air now dedicated entirely to the subject of hunting serial ..."
From the Paper "Two recent films that have certain similarities in subject matter are Seven and Copycat, both of which deal with the hunt for a serial killer and both of which involve a sort of Hitchcockian borrowing in terms of the deliberate use of one of his favorite devices, the transference of guilt. The two films have certain other similarities to one another--each presents the usual pairing of a veteran police detective with a junior officer, each involves a serial killer who taunts the police and in effect dares them to catch him, each indicates the darkness at the heart of the killer, and each indulges in a certain amount of gore and in some of the trappings of the horror movie. In other respects, though, the films are quite different, with Seven being much the darker vision and the more daring treatment while Copycat is much more a clear star vehicle for two women and is ..."
Abstract This paper claims that television teaches our children how to kill. The paper states that television has grown from a treasured family luxury that brought wholesome stories of life and love, to a determined beast, possessing the ability to influence the viewer in anyway that seems profitable. The author concludes that the one thing that opponents in this controversy can agree upon is that television teaches children --- to kill, steal and rape.
From the Paper "The Wicked Thing also teaches our children how to become criminals. Several studies have revealed that detailed, graphic violence has inspired many children to check out library books or to visit web sites that can help them learn how to operate guns and construct homemade bombs.These children are at considerable risk of copycat murders.
While TV violence is influencing many children to spend time investigating weapons, it is taking away from time spent communicating with family members and other quality of life activities. This drawback creates an imbalance of power for parents and guardians?many parents complain that television violence has more power on their children's behavior and attitudes than they do."
Abstract This paper discusses the operating systems, Solaris and Windows 2000, both options chosen by many people as server operating systems. The paper explains that, while intended to serve the same purpose, these are far from being copycat versions of the same operating system packaged and marketed by different corporations. Both systems will host various types of networks, but on Windows, components interact at a very low level, while on Solaris, components interact at a much higher level. With Solaris converting its licensing terms to open source, Windows remains a far more expensive and inferior choice for many reasons, which are detailed in this comparative and informative paper.
From the Paper "Solaris and Windows 2000 server are both popular server operating systems, however, it would be difficult for two systems to be more different. Solaris is the product of combining Berkeley Software Distribution and AT&T System V Unix. Windows 2000 is an evolved version of Windows NT, which contains technologies from DOS and OS/2, with some inspiration from VMS. Both systems are suitable for hosting various types of network services including web, print, file and database applications. Windows is a tightly integrated system which allows components to share data and interact at a very low level. Solaris is highly modular; components interact at a much higher level by passing data as plain text. Windows has several different ways of abstracting hardware configuration and system configuration. Solaris uses human-readable plain text files for configuration and represents hardware devices as files."
Abstract This paper discusses the media's influence on the phenomena of violence in today's increasingly "wired" society. The paper explains the effect of that influence in terms of psychological and behavioral outcomes affecting law enforcement and criminal deterrence. The paper contends that a better understanding of these factors and their outcome will allow for the proposition of solutions and interventions which have the potential to manage violence and the way it is handled by police, community leaders and lawmakers.
From the Paper "The media helps create and continuously reinforces the social scripts that adolescents act out in their daily lives. Much of what goes on in entertainment movies and TV is a reflection of what goes on in the news; the media echoes messages young people hear at school, in particular themes of violence and sex are constantly reinforced."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses Hunter S. Thompson's ideas about the media, as indicated in his 1966 book, Hell's Angels. The writer looks at the media of today and considers the proposition that these thoughts of Hunter S. Thompson are still relevant to the current society.
From the Paper "The media help create and continuously reinforce the social scripts that adolescents act out in their daily lives. Much of what goes on in entertainment movies and TV is a reflection of what goes on in the news. The media echo messages young people hear at school, in particular themes of violence and sex are constantly reinforced. The report was colorful, interesting, heavily biased and consistently alarming-just the sort of thing to ... "
Tags: Hunter S. Thompson, media, crime, copycat violence, media social responsibility, sensational reporting
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of freedom of expression, which has required legal interpretation of our constitutional rights and reexamination of the First Amendment in our courts. The writer notes that there are three types of speech: 1) constitutionally protected speech, 2) speech given intermediate protection and 3) fully protected speech, and cites some Supreme Court cases such as Brandenburg v. Ohio (395 U.S. 444 (1969)) which drew the line where free speech ends and unprotected speech begins. Movies that depict violence have already been shown to incite viewers to illegal acts. Rap and heavy metal music are still afforded protection under the First Amendment, but are now under scrutiny as to whether they merit that protection, and the writer quotes several song lyrics which contain words that spur children and adults to lawless acts. The writer concludes that research shows that courts will decide that any speech directly advocating a particular audience to act upon some illegal activity will not be protected under the First Amendment.
From the Paper "The first instances in our country's history of challenges to the First Amendment came in the year 1798, when we were on the verge of war with France and during the early days of the abolition movement. In fact, colonial America did not particularly cherish the concept of freedom of expression. According to Leonard Levy in Freedom of Speech and Press in Early American History, "The American people did not understand that freedom of thought and expression means equal freedom for the other fellow, especially the one with hated ideas." In this respect, the more things change, the more they stay the same. For even now, most controversy over freedom of speech occurs when people differ over which things are considered worthy of being protected."
Tags: Congress kill statute lawlessness appeals, Ku Klux Klan, copycat restriction offensive
