human nature

I was planning on posting something funny yesterday, but now it seems sort of distasteful to do so, at least for now. I'm not trying to take this tragedy and make it my own, I am lucky enough to not know anyone involved. That being said, I can't even begin to imagine what this is like for those who do or were. This sort of thing is something that I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around.
We are always surprised when it happens, mainly because you don't want to believe that your fellow humans can be so indiscriminately cruel. But humans are. Always have been. If you pay attention to history, the sordid underbelly that drove all events, we are truly quiet horrifying. Humans would seem to be the most dangerous, deadly, and depraved animal on the planet. Oh sure, other animals, like sharks, alligators, and bears, will attack and kill you but rarely without purpose. Rarely without cause. Not so with humans. Humans, like other carnivores, kill for food and in defense of self, but they will also kill for sport, for personal gain, and in sick instances, pleasure.
Yet, we continue to have faith in the goodness of people. Because we can be good, and act in a selfless manner. I think we would go mad if we lived with the idea that people are as sick as the worst of us. But we shouldn't be surprised when things like this happen. Upset, horrified, repulsed, sickened, saddened, determined to prevent something similar happening again. All of those things and more, but not surprised. Joseph Conrad got it right. Everyone has a heart of darkness. Not that that excuses, explains, or justifies what this person did, but sometimes it is important to remember the worst case scenario, because it will happen. Humans can really suck.