When my research into the Columbine High School shootings first began, it was stunted by generic information, basically forming what would be the epicenter article on Wikipedia, but after days and days of research (and by research I mean different key phrase searches) I began to find the information most people aren't looking for. I mean, how funny is it that 15 people were killed that day? Apparently, quite.
Not only do the shootings, and the perpetrators themselves have their fans and followers, but they also have a legion of people ready to spoof the massacre. One of the first articles I found was on the "fake Wikipedia" misinformation site, Uncyclopedia. Uncyclopedia works in the same fashion as Wikipedia, where users from all over the world can contribute to the site. The article on the Columbine massacre gives completely opposite information to actual events, and even leads the reader to believe Zac Efron will be starring in the new Disney film "Columbine High School Musical 3" this coming summer.
Whereas Uncyclopedia relies mainly on users coming up with sarcastic and ironic remarks forming a complete new version of events, Encyclopedia Dramatica relies more on cartoons, pictures, snide remarks and general lowbrow humour to see the funny side of the massacre. Can anyone say oxymoron? The only "benefit" of these sites, as in the actual Wikipedia site, is the opportunity for users to converge and collaborate their information, remarks, jokes, stories and satire to form one giant Mecca for misinformation.
Now, fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your sense of humour), this satire is not just restricted to Wiki sites. In 2005, a Columbine Massacre Role-playing Game (RPG) was released. That's right, a game where you can assume the role of either Eric Harris or Dylan Klebold on April 20 1999 and relive the massacre, killing as many students and teachers as you as the player wishes. After the killers/players eventual suicide, the game follows the “characters” into hell where you are congratulated by Satan for your deeds, surrounded by random other characters such as Bart Simpson and Mario, and real personalities, such as John Lennon and Malcolm X.
Naturally, there was going to be massive response to this type of humour, and the RPG in particular. Around a year after the RPG became available online, The Washington Post reported on the anger and shock being felt across America in reaction to the game. This article in particular gives quotes and comments from family members of victims of the massacre – which are a good insight into the people the game truly affects. However, it also gives comments from Danny Ledonne, the game’s creator. I didn’t think much of the RPG upon first look, considering it lowbrow and of bad taste. But after reading Ledonne’s opinion and thought process behind the game in this article, it is obvious he did not do it to offend victims or their families, but more to promote discussion about the reasons for and possible ways to avoid such a massacre.
I believe this is reflected in the “Press Room” that is part of the site where you can download the RPG. The page contains links to articles, polls and videos all referring, mostly negatively, to the RPG. I think this shows a mature approach to a positively sensitive subject. An article on USAtoday.com again takes a look at the massacre and the RPG from both points of view, the negative from the father of victim Daniel Rohrbough, and the positive from Richard Castaldo, a student of Columbine who was paralysed from the waist down in the massacre. Rohrbough is quoted as labeling the game “disgusting” and demands that it “trivialises the actions of the murderers and lives of the innocent.”
Whereas after Castaldo played the game, he was quoted saying “…it might even be helpful in some ways. I don’t think it’s bad to discuss.”
And discussion is exactly the outcome. Thousands of users have viewed and posted reactions on the shootings and the RPG. A few users have also commented on the Uncyclopedia and Encyclopedia Dramatica pages. Ironically, the things no one wanted to talk about in fear of disrespect are now being spoken about due to a couple of satire and parody websites.
Taking into consideration both the positive and negative discussion and comments these sites have prompted, it leads me to believe that parody, sarcasm, joke and satire is a popular means for addressing the taboo subject of death. And in Columbine’s case, brutal, mass death. As reported by the above current events publications, these sites and games are said to make light of the massacre, but they fail to justify why that is a bad thing. 13 students, including Daniel Rohrbough, will be no more alive, and Richard Castaldo will be no more able to walk than if the sites didn’t exist.
