Sudden Death

In a culture that is fascinated by, even celebrates, sudden death in its books, movies, television shows, and games, it seems odd that we are revolted when confronted with the real thing. We turn away, shocked and horrified. We like our killing done on TV, preferably in some remote place, a place we have no intention to go, or a place in our fantasies.

Those who do our killing for us are heroes even though we feel uneasy whenever they are around. And if the killers spoke honestly, they would say they don't much care for our company either. The divide is hidden, never spoken of in polite society, and asymmetrical. The killers are eventually more honest than the rest.