He discovered a whole new world of videos with powerful looking bearded guys and enchanting islamic nasheeds. He showed me some of the videos, and they do look enchanting.
He started seriously thinking about ''helping the guys''. How can I convince him that it would be better if he helped people by joining some humanitarian organizations like UNHCR or something similar?
This is the reason I advocate mandatory military service. It would dispel some of the "violence is cool" mentality engendered by films, television, and the internet, especially in younger people.
Anyone under 35 should have to go through military service, so they experience the incredible boredom, interspersed with sheer terror, that war in particular, and violence in general, brings to the table.
Nothing gets rid of the glamor like having your buddy's blood splattered all over you, or being injured yourself.
And no, this doesn't cover the religious zealots of all types, who couldn't use reason to find their way out of a wet paper bag. They will continue to be violent, and use violence done to them as an excuse to continue.