Columbine

[killersmom]

Really cool. On Jeopardy tonight (11/16/09)  in the category "In the Bookstore"  Dave Cullen and the description of the Book was the question and Columbine was the Answer!!!

Way Way cool!!!!

YAY Dave!!!

[BayCityJohn]

How much was the question worth?

[killersmom]

It was in the second round, so I think it was either the $1600 or $2000 clue.

[michaelflanagansf]

Michael, very interesting article and also very chilling.  Who would think of looking for anything offbeat in a 3 year old? Usually, if a child doesn't react to loud noises, the first thought is deafness.

I thought it was pretty chilling too Nikki.  Certainly at age 3 psychopathy is probably the last thing parents are thinking about.

And, btw, it was great to finally get to meet you back in Philly!

[Desecra]

The findings could link previous studies suggesting that psychopaths and children with behavioral problems at the age of 11 have similar abnormalities in a part of the brain called the amygdala. That structure is largely responsible for directing fear of consequences.

continues:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091116/hl_nm/us_criminal_behavior

My first thought was that it would be great if being able to pinpoint differences like this eventually led to early treatment (I was thinking of something a bit futuristic, that could alter the brain early on).   My second thought was about how ethical it would be to "treat" babies or children before they show any signs of difficulties.   Would adult psychopaths wish they had been treated as children?   Do they even want to be treated now?   What if being afraid of consequences could actually be a bit of a burden?

[Nikki]

I thought it was pretty chilling too Nikki.  Certainly at age 3 psychopathy is probably the last thing parents are thinking about.

And, btw, it was great to finally get to meet you back in Philly!

 

[janjo]

I believe the amygdala is the part of the brain that is implicated in the biological causes of depression. There seems scope for much research to be done here.

[michaelflanagansf]

My first thought was that it would be great if being able to pinpoint differences like this eventually led to early treatment (I was thinking of something a bit futuristic, that could alter the brain early on).   My second thought was about how ethical it would be to "treat" babies or children before they show any signs of difficulties.   Would adult psychopaths wish they had been treated as children?   Do they even want to be treated now?   What if being afraid of consequences could actually be a bit of a burden?

I would imagine that if I were in this situation (as a parent) I would probably want to engage in 'watchful waiting' before doing any sort of treatment.  Certainly even that could have psychological implications.  It would be a terrible burden - similar to the sort of burden that a positive test for a genetic illness would be, I would guess.

The big concern would be whether or not waiting would make any sort of treatment more difficult or impossible, I would imagine.

I'm not sure adult psychopaths would want to be treated - but you would certainly have to take their victims and their wishes into account too.

[Rosewood]

Along the lines of better late than never, I've just realized that Dave's book has been chosen
as one of the NY Time's 100 Best of 2009.
Super congratulations to you, Dave.
This must be so gratifiying for you after all your hard work.

[dejavu]

Thanks for letting everyone know about this, Rosewood.  I hadn't heard.

Congratulations, Dave!

[Dave Cullen]

So this is launch week on the paperback, the second most important week of my life, so far.

I posted a big blog post about it, with scans from the new edition.

I'd appreciate any of you all reposting some or all to your facebook, twitter, emailing friends, etc.

Thanks.

http://open.salon.com/blog/dave_cullen/2010/03/01/how_to_launch_a_paperback_my_expanded_edition_of_columbine

Here are the major additions (scans of each at the blog post).

1. New 12-page afterword: "Forgiveness."

 I spent another year examining three disparate victims' struggles with grief and recovery nearly 11 years later. I hope you find it as rewarding as I did. It also includes startling new revelations of four secret meetings with the killers' parents. (Link is to an excerpt we just ran in The Daily Beast.)

2. Actual journal pages from Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold. (There are several pages in the book).

3. Book Club Discussion Questions (19 questions in the book).

4.Diagram of Columbine High School and environs.

5. Large-print edition (newly available, also paperback. )

Other formats include Kindle, Nook, and unabridged audibook on CD, cassette, MP3 on CD, or audible.com. Autographed copies available.

The official release date is Wednesday, but it's available now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and in most indie stores and physical B&N stores.  (Use the BN link to order online or check availability at a store nearby.) Amazon has it for $9.35.

[michaelflanagansf]

VERY cool and exciting, Dave.  I'll check in tomorrow at Kepler's, the independent around the corner from the library.

[fritzkep]

VERY cool and exciting, Dave.  I'll check in tomorrow at Kepler's, the independent around the corner from the library.

Pity they spell it wrong. 

[michaelflanagansf]

They didn't have it, Dave.  They are now aware of its coming out in PB, however.  Oh well, on to Browser Books on Filmore tomorrow (and maybe Books, Inc. too....)

[Nikki]

Congratulations, Dave.  Just heard.