Zhang Sanfeng’s World｜In the “venting” era, how should ordinary people behave?

Shanghai police reported a case where someone injured 18 people with a knife last night, with three fatalities. The police stated in the report that he “came to Shanghai to vent his anger and committed the above-mentioned acts.”

Compared to several similar incidents that have occurred in other regions recently, the Shanghai police’s report was very timely and contained some useful information, which is commendable.

Such “pure violence” incidents should undoubtedly be condemned, but there is also a sense of helplessness after condemnation.

I talked to a friend about this in the afternoon, and the consensus was to be careful in the future and avoid provoking others, which seems to provide some sense of security.

Thinking seriously, I know this is self-deception. If it really happens around me, I will probably be as panicked as the elderly people in the Shanghai supermarket.

And I also believe that this “self-preservation awareness” actually increases rather than decreases the possibility of such malicious incidents.

If everyone cherishes themselves more and avoids getting involved in danger, it also means less attention to public affairs, which will exacerbate the existing indifference.

I saw a rumor that the perpetrator used to work elsewhere, and his boss owed him 30,000 to 40,000 yuan in wages. He found out that the boss had gone to Shanghai, so he came to collect the debt. After arriving in Shanghai, he was unable to see the boss, ran out of money, and even sold his phone.

If this is true, this kind of “venting” has a bit of logic. He was in a desperate situation and could not understand or digest this desperate situation, choosing to harm innocent people.

This is by no means defending him; he should of course be punished and will be sentenced to death. However, it is still meaningful to understand “why this happened.”

If this society had rescue organizations that could help people in distress, would it be possible to reduce the likelihood of similar cases?

Now that similar incidents occur, the public finds it difficult to know the perpetrator’s condition and motives. This is a double punishment: the law will judge him, and his voice will not be heard by society.

However, this punishment does not help reduce the occurrence of cases, at least from the data. In the past few months, there have been several cases of “revenge against society,” but they have all been very brief reports with little discussion.

“I don’t want to know the reason, kill them for me, execute them all,” I believe this is the voice of many people. Unfortunately, with more of these voices, similar cases will increase because the social resentment is rising.

The way I can think of is to increase social connections. More rescue channels, more communication mechanisms, allowing people to speak and express themselves. If there is enough “verbal venting,” maybe it will be better?

This morning, there was a debate in the bookstore group. One side said the other was a “fascist,” while the other responded, “You will go to hell.” This is a cultured venting. Such remarks are wrong, but maybe it will be better to say them.

Trying to understand the fate of others, listening more, besides that, I can’t imagine any effective way. Just hate cannot solve the problem; we already have too much hate.