General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumsthings of which the founds could not possibly conceived
A population this size.
The kind of violence we see in the entertainment industry.
Hate crimes.
Glorification of violence among children
Outright hate directed towards fellow citizens. Obviously people were alienated because of poverty, illness\disability, ethnicity, gender, certainly if known homosexual preferences.
I was born in 1969 in my lifetime, I don't remember a time when people would publicly, and shamelessly express the kind hate we see now.
But, I have read about scarlet letters, stocks, "Sinners In The Hands of an Angry God," witch hunts, etc. but the kind of vitriol and hate we see seems to have escalated within a very short time. I remember when Reagan and John Lennon were shot, and it seemed that no one questioned the idea that there was a problem with the fact that Mark David Chapman and John Hinckley were able to acquire guns.
Congress was angry during the Clinton years, but eventually did work together at times.
The Bush administration managed to start 2 wars with little domestic objection. It wasn't hard to get people on their side given the circumstances. But, those were obviously unfortunate hands to be responsible during that time. They capitalized on an idea that we are hated all over the world. Terrorism is hate, terrorism is everywhere, we should fear terrorism. With time, did a kind of terrifying fear become synonymous with hate?
They implemented policies that made us afraid of our neighbors and anyone who looks like they could be from the middle east. The hate seems to have escalated as the threat has subsided. Is hate a sense of empowerment for people who have been most fearful?
Reasonable_Argument
(881 posts)It's a result of the media. The old axiom "if it bleeds it leads" is still true. It acts like a lens to magnify the bloodshed in our country without perspective. As we become more and more withdrawn from each other it becomes easier and easier to apply what you see on the TV every night to your next door neighbors.
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)have these days, hatred for profit. Sometimes I spin the AM dial and now the FM dial and I'm amazed at the hatred spread by Hate Radio Jocks.
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)I remember the political roundtable discussions in the 80s were very dry and boring to me. Actually when I think back they were civil. Now they are an angry verbal WWF. Both sides accuse the media of being too liberal and too conservative if the angry rhetoric on their side don't get enough air time.
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)country. No matter who you are anymore it seems at least about half the country hates you for one reason or another, and much of the hatred/reasons are sheer lunacy IMO.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)The more history one reads, the more violence one sees, and the more context one has for today's ills.
As George Carlin said, that's what humans do best. We gather together in groups, and wreak havoc on other groups.
Apparently there is no solution, and apparently there is no enlightenment about to bring more peace to our specie. We haven't all evolved enough to understand that we are our own destiny and we either stand together or we kill our planet and our fellow mankind.
But I must tell you that the world since 1969 is not more hateful than previously. It's just that you and I now have the opportunity and ability to see/hear/feel what millions of others are thinking/saying/doing, in real time. That's new.
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)I think the kind of irrational hate we see now is different. I think there is a distinction between aggressive self protection or anger and outright hate.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)There IS a distinction between aggressive self protection or anger, and outright hate. But you have not demonstrated that today's world has more hate than previously.
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)It's a thought based on my personal experience and observation with an amateur sociological consideration.