There’s a 900-Year-Old Answer to Our Most Modern Problem

In the spring of 2025, a relationship between two young Florida State University students took a dark turn. Phoenix and Chad had been texting about their classes, grades and social lives. But their conversations began to change.

First, Phoenix expressed deep despair and talked about suicide. Next, he started asking disturbing questions about school shootings. Were the shooters typically convicted? What was their punishment? How did the media cover the shootings?

He also asked Chad a series of questions about firearms, and........

© The New York Times