If this trend continues, there will likely be an increase in "copycat crimes" caused by dangerous TV and movie characters. Copycat crimes, as defined by the French criminologist Gabriel Tarde in his book Philosophie penal (1890), are “suggestive-imitative attacks”: “infectious epidemics [which] spread with the air or wind” (Gottesman , 1). These are crimes inspired by the prolific works of infamous killers like Jack the Ripper, whose killing spree saw "in less than a year, as many as eight absolutely identical crimes" committed in London and soon after, across the world (Gottesmann, 1). Like Sylar, Dexter Morgan from Dexter operates under his own moral code, the "Harry Code" which was created by his adoptive father, Harry ("Dexter"). Dexter also had a dysfunctional childhood in which early signs of sociopathy, such as killing the neighbor's dog, were encouraged by his well-meaning adoptive father. Harry taught Dexter how to remain unnoticed under the watchful eyes of the police ("Dexter"). Dexter grew up to be a seemingly normal adult: close to his sister and romantically involved. He has a sense of humor and a "fondness for children" that goes with his ruthless intelligence (Lindsay, "Sympathy for the Devils"). Despite this, Dexter was never meant to be a sympathetic character. Jeff Lindsay, his creator, only gave him his more vulnerable and human traits to "bridge the gap between a homicidal psychopath and the readers, who I thought would nonetheless be appalled" ("Sympathy for Devils"). Lindsay thought he was doing a terrible thing by writing a story about a "sympathetic serial killer" ("Sympathy for Devils"), but the reality is that many people have no qualms... middle of paper . ....Opposing viewpoints in context. Internet. May 5, 2014. Landau, Saul. “The American Culture of Violence.” Counterpunch.org. Counterpunch, August 3-5, 2012. Web. May 7, 2014Lindsay, Jeff. “Sympathy for Devils.” The New York Times. The New York Times, June 24, 2011. Internet. May 5, 2014. “Popping Cherry.” Right. Real. Michael Cuesta. Perf. Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz and Jennifer Carpenter. Showtime Networks, 2006. Netflix. “Six months ago.” Hero. Real. Alan Arkush. Perf. Hayden Panettiere, Ali Larter, Zachary Quinto and Noah Gray-Cabey. National Broadcasting Company, 2006. Netflix. “Bad guys.” Hero. Real. Alan Arkush. Perf. Jack Coleman, Kristen Bell and Zachary Quinto. National Broadcasting Company, 2008. Netflix. “The wall”. Hero. Real. Alan Arkush. Perf. Milo Ventimiglia, Zachary Quinto and Greg Grunberg. National Broadcasting Corporation, 2010. Netflix.