The event that I am going to analyze the context and impact of social media is the Santa Barbara shootings that happened over the summer.
"A killing spree was perpetrated on May 23, 2014, in Isla Vista, California, near the campus of University of California, Santa Barbara, by 22-year-old Elliot Rodger. Rodger killed six people and injured thirteen others before committing suicide." -Wikipedia
Social media site Reddit played a big role in the shootings, because Roger would frequent "subreddits" that featured pick-up artists techniques and what is called the "red pill" ideology. Both subreddits are heavily misogynistic. When Roger would try to find dates and was turned down, he became very bitter, and decided to solve his misery by targeting women who are in sororities during his shooting spree.
I am an avid Redditor and I watched the event unfold on the site. The general consensus among the users was that Roger's story and picture should not be shared because it would perpetuate his actions and render him infamous. It was also feared that others who felt lost like his did would emulate his actions.
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