“Is Boston Like Columbine?”
An April 19 story at Slate examines parallels between the Boston bombers and the Columbine killers.
Category: Society & culture
“Suspects With Foot in 2 Worlds, Perhaps Echoing Plots of Past”
An April 20, 2013 New York Times story that explores similarities with other longtime U.S. residents who chose jihadi-style violence.
“Brothers veered violently off track”
Read an April 9, 2013 Boston Globe‘s story on the two brothers’ “paths into infamy.”
“Turn to Religion Split Suspects’ Home”
An April 21 article in The Wall Street Journal (subscription only) reports that religious issues increasingly divided the Tsarnaev family.
“Family Says Mother, Not Russia Trip, Sparked Change in Tamerlan Tsarnaev”
An April 22, 2013 post at New York magazine that rounds up various stories exploring the family dynamics that may have contributed to the radicalization of the Tsarnaev brothers, especially Tamerlan.
“The Tortured Tsarnaevs”
William Saletan in Slate on April 28, 2013 rounds up several stories that explore the possible explanations and motivations behind the radicalization of the suspects.
“Officials: Boston bomb suspect read jihadist sites”
An April 23, 2013 Associated Press story says questioning of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev by authorities indicated “the two brothers were motivated by an anti-American, radical version of Islam.” A CNN story adds that the older brother was the driving force behind the attacks and that they had no contact with international terrorist groups but were affected by watching videos online.
“When religious beliefs become evil: 4 signs”
Read an April 28, 2013 article by John Blake at CNN about extremism.
“The Evil Brain: What Lurks Inside a Killer’s Mind”
Read a May 3, 2013 Time magazine essay about what the latest neuroscience says about the biological origins of evil actions.