just a note, you did mention it happening in other places, so it is not just the U. S., I agree with you and would like to add, the drug and violent culture in music, kids grow up idolizing these things
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/07/fl...rt-store-video/It does happen in other countries, but usually its for political and/or religious reasons. Every now and then you do see loners and societal rejects lash out at society in other westernized countries, but not nearly at the same rate it happens in the US. Every country and society has its unique problems, and this is one of ours.
I think its important to distinguish between the different types of violent music. There is fantasy violence, like Manowar and Cannibal Corpse, and then there is the music that glorifies real life violence and thuggery, like all the different variations of Gangsta rap.
I don't know about you, but I've never seen anyone listen to Manowar then be inspired to pick up a sword and slay a dragon, although that would be pretty freakin' cool if it did happen
I also don't think I've ever heard of anyone sacrifice a virgin with a sharpened goat horn after listening to Cannibal Corpse. The vast majority of young people know these lyrics are dumb and comical, and thats if you can even understand the death metal songs.
Gangsta rap, on the other hand, glorifies the thug lifestyle. Its real, its obtainable, and many people in poverty stricken areas can relate to it at some level. What cracks me up (and also annoys the hell out of me) is when these kids dress like a thug, walk like a thug, and talk like a thug, but then get upset when they get treated like a thug
If I dressed like a rockstar, talked like a rockstar, and walked like a rockstar, I want to get treated like a rockstar!
+1
That pretty much sums up the mentality everywhere I have lived in the USA. Granted, I have only lived in the Western US(with the exception of Eastern Canada), but it is what it is.
I can say that living in Ontario, Canada was very different, and a bit of an eye opener. After having grown up in Los Angeles and having to fight kids a lot to get by, I came to the conclusion that the USA might be the only developed country that is this inhospitable.
You should visit some of the New England states like Vermont and New Hampshire, people up there are pretty nice. There is virtually no violent crime in those states, even though they have some of the most liberal gun laws in the country. In Vermont you don't need a permit to carry, and you can even be packing in a bar. They're also the least religious states in the country, go figure. I would consider living there but the winters suck and I'm just too much of a city slicker
My home state of Massachusetts however, is filled to the brim with what we affectionately call Massholes haha
If you want to see some real freaks and geeks check out my hometown of Worcester. Dennis Leary is from Worcester, and he's a pretty good representation of what people up there are like