The promotion of "social participation and understanding" (whatever that might mean) necessarily reinforces the social and sociological significance of variation in participation and understanding. Such a promotion may, then, backfire, both by further isolating those not affected by the promotion *and* by highlighting their difference(s) from others. Consider high school prep rallies. They bring many folks together, but also elucidate and enunciate boundaries between boosters and those disinterested or opposed, and so are the subject of not only celebration but scorn. Sing "Kumbaya" all you like; those not singing, might be offended enough to open fire. :( -eg

-----Original Message----- From: air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org [mailto:air-l- bounces@listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of William Bain Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 11:35 PM To: air-l@listserv.aoir.org Subject: Re: [Air-l] Our VT colleagues

The real tragedy is to assume that as an association and as individuals we can do nothing to affect the root causes of events like those at Virginia Tech. I know that AOIR promotes social participation and understanding among people in general. And I feel sure that colleagues on this list are at work on many of the psychological aspects underlying violent behavior. But obviously it's not always enough to depend on that, even if you felt like everything possible were being done, which probably no one here does. Personally, I am not up to date on studies of rampant violence and related causes and I'd welcome information on things. something like expert opinion on approaches that hold new promise.