Hacker News Reader

In my research I came across what I think is the best explanation for the cause for violence in our society. I believe video games are just another symptom but not the cause and effect.

"Of all crimes, those involving violence are most closely related to high levels of inequality." - http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/mar/13/the-spirit-level

View on HN

That doesn't explain the mass rampage murders, which have been all committed by wealthy or upper-middle class perpetrators. Plus, violent crime in America is decreasing even while poverty is increasing.

Violent crime is decreasing, period. It is spurious (if not intentionally misleading) to suggest that this correlates in a meaningful way with changes in poverty.

Yes, recently an article was posted here (WSJ) that correlated unleaded gasoline with violent crime. That's actually believable.

IIRC, Freakanomics had a section correlating legalized abortion with a drop in crime ~18 years later. Also plausible. But, of course, not necessarily causal.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com