That was extremely well-written and interesting to read a first-hand account. My reaction to the news was not admiration of zealotry, but more like viewing colateral damage from afar. What struck me was at the end of the interaction between the perp and the writer was this ask to help him curate his social media account.

I read the Gurwinder piece about Tiktok after I read that and I had the feeling that social exclusion must be a factor in obsessive-compulsive behavior or fanaticism. I only know Nostr these days. Maybe this guy just needed to unplug? I'm pretty sure 2020 was damaging in ways that we still don't fully realize and have not completely recovered from.

Quite sad to read that many people reacted to the newswith emojis. Makes me feel I understand the theory about his obsession with NPCs, but from the bit about his thoughts on Japan, it's clear to anyone who's become adjusted to living in a different culture, not everyone does or should attempt it. It also made me wonder, would the reaction of a healthy society be a more measured one or an indignant one.