But Then There’s Sociopaths

In response to the use of the photos of Nick Holzer and Elliot Rodger in the article about Laura’s Law, I feel a distinction must be made between the mentally ill and the increasing number of sociopaths across the country that have committed mass killings. Laura’s Law orders mandated treatment to individuals with severe mental illness, and neither of the aforementioned would have passed the criteria to receive treatment under this law. Both men were functioning adults, able to take care of themselves, and showing no explicit signs that they would hurt themselves or others. While Laura’s Law will no doubt help intervene with the occasional violent schizophrenic (emphasis on occasional because it’s a popular myth that the severely mentally ill are violent), I’m afraid the epidemic of silent sociopaths is far from over. I suggest we instead take a look at the fertile ground where these tragedies arise: our own failing society. Isolated, materialistic lives have become an accepted norm, while human interaction and real social ties have become arbitrary relics of our society. It’s no wonder the fish cannot see the water in which they swim.