One thing that isn't acknowledged in this discussion is the Fundamental Attribution Error. I touched on this in my article earlier.
This is a sort of tangential application of this concept but I think it applies here.
This is as simple as what we all do when we are driving. Someone who cuts is off is an asshole. When we are in a hurry and are perhaps less courteous on the road we use our circumstances to explain our behaviour (the Actor Observer Bias). We aren't bad people, we are simply dealing with an unusual situation in a logical manner (while everyone else thinks we are assholes).
This theory has been upheld in study after study. It's something we all do all the time.
I think it can be applied here, although there is likely a different term for it when it is used on someone other than ourselves.
In this case it seems that virtually everyone who knows Alex Pro well (I do not btw although I have met him briefly) can empathize with him. Everyone who I have heard speak of Alex, before or after the event has been extremely complimentary. He is known to be friendly, generous and generally a very solid person. You certainly don't hear this sort of thing about all pro riders either.
In light of this those who know Alex can't reconcile his behaviour in the riots with the person they know. To them this is clearly not something he would not normally do. As a result they can more easily see how the situation influenced him to act in a way he wouldn't normally. The effect a riot/mob can have on individuals is well documented and was even referenced by Shakespeare. A quick web search will reveal that this effect is powerful, rooted in our dna and well-documented. Add alcohol and all best are off. (which some of you may know makes us act in ways that we wouldn't normally - although I am not saying this takes away our personal responsibility for our actions)
If you are going to reply to this by saying this is crap and that I am an asshole - you be helping prove my theory by blaming my behaviour on my character rather than the situation before us. Of course if you know me and you say this is crap I may indeed be an asshole.
Again, I'm not condoning or trying to suggest that no amends should be made by anyone who lost themselves to these factors - but without recognizing these factors as a community we are sure to see them re-occur.
Another factor is how our behaviour changes when we think we are unidentifiable - like many are on the web! ;)
Holy crap Cam, your keyboard is on fire, that is good stuff.
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