Jesse Klein; The Bully Society: School Shootings and the Crisis of Bullying in America's Schools.

Jessie Klein is assistant professor of sociology at Adelphi University in New York City.  Klein is author of "The Bully Society: School Shootings and the Crisis of Bullying in America's Schools." She just wrote the piece "Latest Conn. School Massacre Reminds Us Again to Transform our Bully Society into More Compassionate Communities," noting that "Many of the school shooters since 1979 have been described as 'brilliant' and 'remote.' Repeatedly they had left notes or testimonies about how they were called 'nerd' or 'geek' of even more often, 'gay.'" But Klein adds: "We need to stop looking for the profile of the perpetrators; and examine instead the profile of schools and society more generally. According to the General Social Survey (GSS 1985 to 2004) social isolation has tripled; other reports suggest that empathy has significantly decreased; depression and anxiety rates, among adults and youth alike, are soaring. ...

Rough interview notes-- mostly my questions

I understand that Adam Lanza was not bullied.

It sounds like what you are calling for is similar to what the Dalai Llama talks about when he calls for practicing warmheartedness.

You've written the book, "The Bully Society: School Shootings and the Crisis of Bullying in America's Schools." do you have solutions to this cultural problem that has evolved.

It sounds like supporting a sense of interdependence, feeling connected and part of a community are antidotes. You've said, "social isolation has tripled; other reports suggest that empathy has significantly decreased

This doesn't seem like something that can be legislated. How can we make this happen?

Philly had a major problem with bullying at South Philadelphia HS, where Asian kids were subjected to massive bullying, but the school system didn't respond until the DOJ was brought in by community organizations.

NRA talking points-- schools should not be gun free zones, teachers should carry guns and every school should have an armed guard.

What brought us to this state where social  isolation has tripled, empathy has significantly decreased, depression has increased?

Is civilization moving towards a billionaire dog eat dog culture that looks more like what used to be described a uncivilized?

it seems to me that this move towards not taking care of the weakest in our society-- that seems to be barbaric. 

The conservatives have been at war with the archetypal feminine. It's not really being female. Can you talk more about this. 

Consider the Bushmaster ad that states to buyers: "Consider your man card re-issued."

Perhaps men who feel the need to own guns are not feeling good about their own masculinity.

It's too high a bar (masculinity) talk about that.

And globalization has off shored so many millions of jobs so men who used to have good meaningful jobs, forcing men to be unemployed or take far lower pay positions.

So what do you think will happen in the next couple weeks or months in response to this?

Is there a way that Obama could address the issues you are talking about in addition to gun regulations.

Are there examples of schools or school districts that are doing it-- 

Collective Courage-- teach kids to stand up for one another. 

Bullying as a civil rights issue. Is there any legislation or has there any model legislation been written addressing bullying as a civil rights issue.

Last question; what can parents, readers, listeners do to get these kinds of things you're talking about to happen.