Atmosphere of fear

Bodhidharma

I dont want to sound like some sort of crackpot conspiracy nut but is it my imagination or do we live in a world of fear.

I say this because i was in a shopping centre a while ago and a strange announcement came over the tannoy. "We would like to remind shoppers not to leave bags unattended, if you see an unattended bag please bring it to the attention of security. Thank you".

Ever since 9/11 there has been a constant sense of fear running through everyday life. I think its totally unnecessary. Everyday we are greated by all these terrible stories, road deaths, shootings, trouble in Iraq. I know these are big stories but how about something uplifting now and then. We are living longer and healthier lives than ever yet people are actually afraid of the things they eat.

I just feel like we need to lighten up. We have never had it better yet we try to find the bad news stories. The thing in the shopping centre really irritated me because i was made to think about bombs while i was trying to relax. Fair enough if i was in Israel or Iraq but i was in Cork for Christ sake. Totally thoughtless.

Am i wrong?

jonny68

Good thread,pity there isn't more like it on here instead of the usual rubbish,your right though it does seem we are living in a world of fear,unfortunately it's the times we live in with terrorists,gangsters,etc,etc,etc,it would be nice to know we could live our lives without any fear but those days are sadly gone.

Bodhidharma wrote:

I dont want to sound like some sort of crackpot conspiracy nut but is it my imagination or do we live in a world of fear.

I say this because i was in a shopping centre a while ago and a strange announcement came over the tannoy. "We would like to remind shoppers not to leave bags unattended, if you see an unattended bag please bring it to the attention of security. Thank you".

Ever since 9/11 there has been a constant sense of fear running through everyday life. I think its totally unnecessary. Everyday we are greated by all these terrible stories, road deaths, shootings, trouble in Iraq. I know these are big stories but how about something uplifting now and then. We are living longer and healthier lives than ever yet people are actually afraid of the things they eat.

I just feel like we need to lighten up. We have never had it better yet we try to find the bad news stories. The thing in the shopping centre really irritated me because i was made to think about bombs while i was trying to relax. Fair enough if i was in Israel or Iraq but i was in Cork for Christ sake. Totally thoughtless.

Am i wrong?

Furry Burger

yeah would agree with you, people profit from fear. Although Michael Moore is a biased fooker he does make some excellent points regarding this in his movie 9/ll... as far as US military and security companys arms contractors etc 9/11 is the best thing that ever happened to them....

A country kept in constant fear is an easier country to rule. I mean think about it, you keep telling them that they are in danger, and that what they do is for their own good. And so they turn a blind-eye to whatever their government does. Because they think that they are "safe", when they are as safe as a man standing on a landmine.

Yet this tactic hasn't just been happening since 9/11. It's been happening ever since the American government was formed. Look at the fear of communism. And now that fear is basically gone, so they need something new to fear. Hey presto, along comes "terrorism".

Though I've always found it funny how the only time anyone would want to attack Ireland is when Bush is here.

Bartronilic

When i was in NYC in 2003 that errorist meter really scared me. Then the blackout happened and EVERYONE was running around saying "omg terrorists".

Things hadn't changed in 2004.

That blackout was funny, cos the subways had stopped nobody knew where they were walking home as they never seen it being so used to being underground (i still ove the New York Underground though, oh i wish Dublin had a metro!)

Galvia

Dune by Frank Herbert (the first sci fi novel of the Dune series) had a quote: "Fear is the mind killer!" So don't let these political, security, and military opportunists kill your mind. Statistically, you have a much better chance getting run over by some drunk as you stumble on your way home after pub close, than being attacked by some wild-eyed crazy with a political agenda.;)

Mr.D.Leprachaun

unfortunately it's the times we live in with terrorists,gangsters,etc,etc,etc,it would be nice to know we could live our lives without any fear but those days are sadly gone.

So was the world any safer back in "those days"? Compare the number of terrorist attacks in the Western World in th '90s to this decade. We've had three major incidents in the west since 2000. In the '90s we had Oklahoma City, USS Cole and countless NI related incidents not to mention all the Basque war bombings and the wars in the Balkans and Caucases. It's in the interests of the power-hungry to scare us.

“…it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for the lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."
-Herman Goering

Mr.D.Leprachaun

[sorry-double-post]

Bartronilic

Bartronilic wrote:

When i was in NYC in 2003 that errorist meter really scared me. Then the blackout happened and EVERYONE was running around saying "omg terrorists".

Things hadn't changed in 2004.

That blackout was funny, cos the subways had stopped nobody knew where they were walking home as they never seen it being so used to being underground (i still ove the New York Underground though, oh i wish Dublin had a metro!)

I was in America 2004; was in New York, Conneticut, San Diego, Los Angeles and Santa Fe.

Whilst walking through New York we stopped by Wall Street.The whole section of that was blocked off my policemen with automatic rifles, bulletproof gear, and bombdetecting gear. Another end had police roadblocks checking any van/car driving anywhere.

Staying in San Diego I couldn't help noticing the fact that army jets flew over the city constantly.

The Empire State building had baggage checkpoints before you went anywhere near the top. Seven Flags Magic Mountain had to check bags before you even entered. Travelling to America I had totake off my shoes and belt going through the checkpoints.

Rockdolphin

Deleted User wrote:

A country kept in constant fear is an easier country to rule.

Completely correct, convince people the devil exists and show them where he dwells, then they seek your guidance and accept your laws to save their petrified little souls.

Ever since 9/11 American and Western governments have been using the pretence and fear of terrorism to erode at an alarming rate the basic civil rights of citizens. Powerful commercial and self serving interests have also hopped on the band wagon seeking to exercise control and influence over people with intrusive and meddling laws and engaging in wholesale information gathering. Freedom of choice is rapidly becoming an optional extra with lifestyle facism on the march !

The rich and powerful never really liked the unpredictability individulality brought to western democracies and economies. They have a serious vested interest in controlling all aspect of the behaviour and aspirations of western consumer societies. This they share in common with governments and tomorrow's would be rulers. Freedom of choice is not about my freedom of choice or yours, it's about everyones. Look around any western country now and on a daily basis you see some persons or group of peoples freedom to choose been evoked. If not that some new law is been passed allowing unprecedented access by state or commercial interests into the private affairs of citizens. Fear or the perceived fear of something or other is usually the excuse !

Pigman II

jonny68 wrote:

unfortunately it's the times we live in with terrorists,gangsters,etc,etc,etc,

The ingredients are always there. It's just a matter of whats on todays menu.

simu

I wouldn't say it's entirely deliberate but there does seem to be an atmosphere of fear around, alright. The same applies for food and health, imho. Too much of one thing will give you cancer, you're not getting enough of some other nutrient - it never stops. Well, I wouldn't say there was no fear in the old days but it seems to have become more nebulous these days. For example, in the Middle Ages, it was fear of Hell and the Devil perhaps, in the 50s the Cold War and nuclear annihilation but now the "causes" of fear seem to have multiplied - we're supposed to fear everything.

Faith

I agree, we do. And it's not just from terrorists, we're now afraid to walk down our own streets at night. There was two guys here beaten to **** at 3am on a busy street just for being students. The level of violence seems to be rising constantly, or maybe it's just more publicised. I'm reluctant to go outside my front door after dark on my own these days.

It's gotten to a point where I just fantasise about finding myself a remote island where there's hardly any people, never mind crime, and spending the rest of my life there.

Ruu_Old

Right about the whole fear thing. Its the whole reason they keep raising and lowering this damn coloured..oh sorry colored alert system.

Esel

Deleted User wrote:

...Staying in San Diego I couldn't help noticing the fact that army jets flew over the city constantly....

Eh, there is a huge naval base in San Diego. The US Navy have many jets. Presumably, they fly from and to their bases on a regular basis.

Maybe they were looking for illegal immigrants?

Ruu_Old

No need to patrol the air for illegal immigration when you have border protection like this

blu_sonic

Its a great post OP.
Like many people have stated before fear is a control device used by goverments, althouh there is a threat i feel its not as near and present as we are led to believe. I think we live in a "Nanny State" the smoking ban being the most notable of these changes. I feel that Dublin is safer than ever, although i think we're a legit target while Shannon is used by the U.S.A.

Esel

Ruu wrote:

No need to patrol the air for illegal immigration when you have border protection like this

Wow! Smart bombing, yeah? Single-person crater or what?

Esel

blu_sonic wrote:

...I feel that Dublin is safer than ever, although i think we're a legit target while Shannon is used by the U.S.A.

Be advised that technically, Shannon Airport is not part of this country. Why, even Boris Yeltsin was afraid to set foot there. We, the people, are not responsible for what goes on there.

MorningStar

Well the atmopshere of fear is here for many things.

Driving kids to school for safety. It is more dangerous to be in a car than to be walking to school. It is bad for their health which is a big problem. Child abdutions are extremely rare yet many parents would warn their kids about hsi more than stop feeding them crisps everyday.

Rip of Ireland is over hyped by the media. Many people think any price difference must mean we are being ripped off. THere is a price problem but not as bad as exagerated.

Fear of being on the streets. Ireland has a really low violent crime record yet people are affraid to go out on the streets. People go on about being feeling safer else where yet the likelyhood of something happening to you here is quite low.


You'll get a bunch of people on now saying how what I have said goes against what they "know" but they will base it on how they feel not any logic.

pyramuid man

The answer here is simple.
Of course we do but we are anaesthsised to it that we hardly notice it anymore.

I blame GWB A.K.A Dubya

Lirange

G.W.B is just the symptom.

Slutmonkey57b

It's interesting to see how the US has addressed its terrorist concerns vs. how Britain dealt with a more real threat on a daily basis.

MorningStar

Slutmonkey57b wrote:

It's interesting to see how the US has addressed its terrorist concerns vs. how Britain dealt with a more real threat on a daily basis.

In fairness the UK had years of experience and were prepared to expect one. It was a complete shock to the US and the first ever successful attack by a foreign organisation as far as I know.