In America, violence has always been an integral part of the national culture. Crime and bloodshed are glorified both on and off screen. The more disturbing the act of violence, the more fascinated the audience seems. The most prolific crimes, those committed by notorious serial killers, attract the most attention. As Jeff Lindsay, creator of the book series that inspired the wildly popular television show Dexter, said, “We're disgusted and disgusted, but we need to know. And the more we know about the scene, the more truly horrified we become” (“Sympathy for the Devils”). The violence, committed especially by this special class of criminals, is compelling. News plays a role in this strange attraction, as it is through news that people learn about such killers, but the evolution into the "serial killer genre" (Lindsay, "Sympathy for the Devils") of film and television it helps to desensitize people to the gruesome murders that are being committed. This raises the question of whether this disturbing trend needs to be stopped, lest America's "culture of violence" (this has a source) continue to strengthen. Through news, film and television, criminals are constantly romanticized through the use of sympathetic characterizations and gratuitous depictions of their crimes, which gives people increasingly positive attitudes towards violence and, in turn, fuels the growing culture of violence in America. of violence in the media (defined as through news, film, and television) throughout history have contributed to desensitization to violent actions. Through the use of character development, even the worst serial killers are portrayed in a way that elicits a sympathetic response from the audience, effective...... half of the document......" CNN. CableNews Network, 20 July 2012. Web. May 7, 2014. “Popping Cherry.” Dir. Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz and Jennifer Carpenter, 2006. Netflix.Ramsland, Katherine, Ph. D. “Serial Killer Groupies.” Crimelibrary.com Crime Library, ndWeb, March 24, 2014. Ramsland, Katherine, Ph. D. “Women Who Love Serial Killers.” Psychologytoday.com.Web March 24, 2014. “Six Months Ago.” Hayden Panettiere, Ali Larter, Zachary Quinto and Noah Gray-Cabey, 2006. Netflix Heroes Dir. Allan Arkush. Jack Coleman, Kristen Bell and Zachary Quinto. Netflix. Heroes Dir. Allan Arkush Quinto and Greg Grunberg.