If this trend continues, there will likely be an increase in “copycat crimes” committed by dangerous TV and movie characters. Copycat crimes, as defined by French criminologist Gabriel Tarde in his book Penal Philosophy (1890), are “suggestive-imitative attacks”: “infectious epidemics [that] spread by air or wind” (Gottesman, 1). They are crimes that are inspired by the prolific works of infamous murderers such as Jack the Ripper, whose murderous spree repelled "in less than a year, eight absolutely identical crimes" committed in London and, soon after, throughout the world ( Gottesman, 1 ). Similar to Sylar, Dexter's Dexter Morgan operates within his own moral code, the "Harry Code" created by his adoptive father, Harry ("Dexter"). Dexter also had a dysfunctional childhood in which early signs of sociopathy, such as killing his 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 involved in a romantic relationship. He has a sense of humor and a “fondness for children” that accompanies his ruthless intelligence (Lindsay, “Sympathy for the Devils”). Despite this, Dexter was never meant to be a likable character. Jeff Lindsay, his creator, gave him his most vulnerable and human traits only to "bridge the gap between a homicidal psychopath and the readers, who I assumed would, nevertheless, be shocked" ("Sympathy for the Devils"). Lindsay thought she was doing a terrible thing by writing a story about a "sympathetic serial killer" ("Sympathy for the Devils"), but the reality is that many people have no scruples... middle of paper... .... Opposing points of view in context. Network. 5 May 2014.Landau, Saulo. "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. Network. May 5, 2014. “Popping Cherry.” Right. Director Michele Cuesta. Perf. Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz and Jennifer Carpenter. Showtime Networks, 2006. Netflix. "Six months ago." Heroes. Dir. Allan Arkush. Perf. Hayden Panettiere, Ali Larter, Zachary Quinto and Noah Gray-Cabey. National Broadcasting Company, 2006. Netflix.“Villains.” Heroes. Dir. Allan Arkush. Perf. Jack Coleman, Kristen Bell and Zachary Quinto. National Broadcasting Company, 2008. Netflix. “The Wall.” Heroes. Dir. Allan Arkush. Perf. Milo Ventimiglia, Zachary Quinto and Greg Grunberg. National Broadcasting Company, 2010. Netflix.