Shrink Responds to Columbine Survivor’s Criticism of Doom Deprivation Theory
By Shawn on Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 at 2:53 PM PST In Computer, Games
Yesterday I covered an interview from Destructoid with Columbine survivor Brooks Brown. Brown was extremely critical of Dr. Jerald Block’s “Doom Deprivation” theory presented in his recent research paper, Lessons From Columbine: Virtual and Real Rage. For those of you that haven’t heard the theory, Dr. Block asserts the Columbine Shootings were triggered in part by Kelbold and Harris’ parents depriving them of their video games.
Dr. Block has responded to GamePolitics on Brown’s allegations that Block’s theory is based on “massive inaccuracies†in the facts about the case.
I welcome Brown’s perspective on this important topic. He and his family were put through a lot in the Columbine tragedy; I’d be angry, if I were him. With regards to his criticism:
[Brooks Brown said that Dr. Block] claims that Eric and Dylan were banned from their computers for quite a long time – he states it lasted for about a year and a half up til the day of the shooting.
No, I never claimed that. What I noted was that Harris and Klebold were punished by the removing their access to computers, sometimes for extended periods. Indeed, Harris’ father was told to do so for about 4 weeks, following his son’s arrest. This is the exact period in which Harris and Klebold began writing of their plans to attack the school.
[Brooks Brown:] …experts like Block who say the parents were great and bullying didn’t happen.
In the paper, I acknowledge the bullying, along with several other factors. I argue that the bullying and other issues, like the “copycatting†of other shootings, were important but not enough to explain what happened. I then detail an additional factor, the computer use, that I believe is critical and which had not previously been described. There were many causes for the rage behind the shootings – the key is in better understanding those causes.
[Brooks Brown:] Sure, Block claims to be on your side, but he uses fabricated facts to make you happy.
Firstly, nothing in my article should make anybody “happy.†It is gloomy, depressing stuff. As for my data, all were heavily footnoted and the paper was peer reviewed. Sources were from primary material (police reports, testimony, etc.). That being said, I’d be glad to talk with Mr. Brown if he has some information on a fact that I got wrong.
via GamePolitics.com
Dr. Block is one of many experts who knows so little about what happened at Columbine that he feels free to make up any theory that he wants. This is made much easier by the simple fact that many files have been destroyed or hidden by Jefferson county, and that the Harris and Klebold families have refused to talk to the public about their sons.
My wife and myself and about ten other people know a great deal about the Columbine murders. This theory by Dr. Block is not supported by sufficient facts and proof to be even remotely credible.
Columbine was caused primarily by bullying. There are plenty of factual and supported statements to support that, even after the school’s attempt to hide that sad truth.
This is one of the results when the police lie and the parents of the killers hide the truth. We will have conspiracy theories and speculation for years. It is one of the saddest chapters of Columbine, that the Sheriff and the parents of the killers hid the truth from the world. The lessons that could have been learned, that could have saved other children’s lives, may never be learned because of the cowardice of these people.
I read Brooks’ blog regarding this subject, and, as difficult as it is to read in that it is so tragic, he is telling the truth and he does understand the Columbine tragedy.
Randy Brown
A Columbine Parent.