Several things behind this one. 1) I once read a self-help book called "Nasty People" by Jay Carter. In it, the author describes (among other things) how people can respond to being treated bad by others (though this could apply to any source or cause of stress or frustration). There are 4 ways to respond to this: a. Lash out in frustration at inanimate objects (like happy smiley face does in this example). b. Lash out in frustration at others (like scared face does in this example). c. Lash out in frustration at one-self (like sad face does in this example). d. Lash back at the initial source of frustration, such as someone who was nasty to you (like a second angry face does in this example). e. A fifth way that I do not show (and that I try to use myself) is to deal with the raw emotion in a non-destructive way: in my case by listening to music. The music by the group Disturbed seems to work well for me, as it seems to represent anger and then at a certain point stops seeming to be about anger and just becomes rock music in my mind. In fact I have heard that the band members of Disturbed do their music as a constructive way to express and deal with their own dark feelings. We all have them. It's what you do (or don't do) with them that matters. 2) I did this cartoon a week ago, but given the tragic shooting in Denver Colorado it seemed like it may relate in some way (though I am going on no information on what drove the shooter to shoot at all those people in a theatre). To potential future people who lash out in such a horrific way: Don't do it! You're only attacking your fellow victims of the stress of life!