Are people more cowardly now?

Clermont1098

do we run away from fights and trouble? Is it all about being a cool hipster?

The Moldy Gowl

No.

It's more about not getting my handsome face smashed in because some gob****e thinks he has absorbed all of moyross and is it's spiritual leader and will lead the revolution of knackers, after a bottle of linden village.

Nodin

Be a bit hard to run in them skinny jeans, I would have thought.

Aenaes

Excuse me, I don't run. I glide away gracefully on my Segway, thank you very much.

RubyGlee

If your talking about physical fights then running away isnt cowardly, its smart. Nothing brave about being a thug

Señor Fancy Pants

I prefer to avoid fistycuffs. Iv had my fair share of it in the past but would never look for it.

There have been enough reports of a guy getting one punch and being fcuked up or dying after hitting his head off the ground. I don't want to be on either end of that scenario.

I'd obviously fight if given no choice but not as a result of drunken stupidity or casual misunderstandings.

mikemac1

Set a girl getting clattered. You step in and confront the boyfriend. She turns on you :rolleyes:

It's not cowardly OP to walk on by, it's just experience.

Birneybau

What do you mean with the cool hipster rubbish?

whupdedo

An old work colleague used always say, A good run is better than a bad stand, wise words I always thought

jacksie66

This post has been deleted.

Son Of A Vidic

Clermont1098 wrote: »

do we run away from fights and trouble?

I think it's the opposite. Today people run towards trouble, but not to help out or save anybody. But rather so they can upload their patheticness onto shyte sites like FB ect.

wilhelm roentgen

I'm a coward and I am very afraid to admit it.

thelad95

I've often come close to fistycuffs on nights out but I always do everything I can to avoid physical confrontation even if it means swallowing my pride. Simply not worth the bother. At worse, it could result in a few nights in Casualty. At best, you'll be fúcked out on your arse or into the back of a paddy wagon.

Sunnyisland

yea its all internet warriors now, back in my day....

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Avoiding fights or trouble is not cowardly. Now, to the question. Yes people today are more cowardly than in the past. Now they are all bluster on the internet and afraid to be honest in real life. Today people bitch and complain online.

DeadHand

Yes, they are more cowardly, mostly because they are more selfish.

Young men, especially.

It's to do with consumerism, the cult of "me". Any sense of loyalty, honour, community or personal dignity has been superseded by the classless worship of possessions and ostentatious posing on and off social media.

Combine this with the feminisation of almost every section of society and you'll see why we don't produce as many good men anymore. Men in general and positive male role models in particular have disappeared from schools and are disappearing from homes. As a result, we see a feral class of violent young men and another class of self-obsessed, smug physical and moral cowards with fewer striking the happy medium of something in between.

We are now producing generations of cowards in the West.

Clermont1098

Clermont1098 wrote: »

do we run away from fights and trouble? Is it all about being a cool hipster?

Or are we more enlightened? Have we reached a point where we realize there has been nothing gained from "winning" fights and that merely entering a fight makes everyone a loser from the outset?

Then again - with how the law has gone on things like self defense where people get attacked - kick the crap out of their aggressor - and then end up getting prosecuted in one form or another - is there even a point any more?

Anyway vague question vague thread - what are you REALLY asking us.

And - er - ya starting on me are ya bud ya wanna go do ya - do you want your go?

Dont call me Shirley

I think if you're any way career orientated your hands are pretty much tied. Conviction for assault and the cost of a civil case could break you.

Wouldn't be one for mindless violence but if I saw somebody getting picked on or a friend getting hassled i'd be far more wary of the legal/career side of it than the physical.

Rough Sleeper

DeadHand wrote: »

Yes, they are more cowardly, mostly because they are more selfish.

Young men, especially.

It's to do with consumerism, the cult of "me". Any sense of loyalty, honour, community or personal dignity has been superseded by the classless worship of possessions and ostentatious posing on and off social media.

Combine this with the feminisation of almost every section of society and you'll see why we don't produce as many good men anymore. Men in general and positive male role models in particular have disappeared from schools and are disappearing from homes. As a result, we see a feral class of violent young men and another class of self-obsessed, smug physical and moral cowards with fewer striking the happy medium of something in between.

We are now producing generations of cowards in the West.

Oh for the days when men were men, and would bravely throw themselves in the path of bullets and artillery fire on behalf of some inbred aristocrats squabbling over some insignificant patch of land in central Europe.

Clermont1098

Deleted User wrote: »

Anyway vague question vague thread - what are you REALLY asking us.

And - er - ya starting on me are ya bud ya wanna go do ya - do you want your go?

Why do you think I am asking you anything other than I did?

The last line sounds threatening. Or are you trying to mock a certain type of people? Either way it's in poor taste.

Clermont1098

Clermont1098 wrote: »

Why do you think I am asking you anything other than I did?

You missed my point. I asked you to be more specific about what you were asking. not "other" than "what you did".

Clermont1098 wrote: »

The last line sounds threatening. Or are you trying to mock a certain type of people? Either way it's in poor taste.

"taste" which may have been marred by your previous misconception alas.

Clermont1098

Deleted User wrote: »

You missed my point. I asked you to be more specific about what you were asking. not "other" than "what you did".



"taste" which may have been marred by your previous misconception alas.

No. You asked what was I really asking. That means that you thought I didn't ask what I asked. Why do you think that?

Taste would be offended by a threat. Taste would be offended by mockery of people for their accents. I think so anyway.

Clermont1098

Clermont1098 wrote: »

That means

Do you want to tell me what I was asking before you stop and listen to what I am telling you I was asking.

Well in that case.... please tell me what I might think next... given you know my mind more than I do

Sheldons Brain

Are people more cowardly now?

I'm afraid to say.

degsie

What's the story op? You wanting to start a fight club? Oh crap I just said fight club.

Manach

1915 - a white feather: a mark of cowardice.
2015 - a white feather: a cushion stuffing.

dashcamdanny

Once a group of men attacked and punched my wife over her retaliating to some lude comment on passing.
We were attacked in the streets of NY by five of them.

Always thought I was a bit of a coward until then. I started punching for all I was worth after they struck her.

We got the **** kicked out of us . Both of us gave as good as we got. Would not think twice to do it again.

Things like this happen and when they do, you will shine through your fears.


It would have to be something fairly major like that, for me to unleash my Kung Fu on bad people.

Clermont1098

Deleted User wrote: »

Do you want to tell me what I was asking before you stop and listen to what I am telling you I was asking.

Well in that case.... please tell me what I might think next... given you know my mind more than I do

None of that makes any sense in connection to what I said. Never mind.

Tin Foil Hat

Clermont1098 wrote: »

do we run away from fights and trouble? Is it all about being a cool hipster?

50 years ago two reasonable men might have had a disagreement and sorted it out with their fists. Nobody would have been properly hurt - maybe a blood nose or a few bruises.
Times have changed. Reasonable men don't fight anymore. If somebody comes at you with their fists raised you can't be guaranteed of your health the following morning. It makes sense to run and hide. It's not cowardice. It's sense.

fatknacker

whupdedo wrote: »

An old work colleague used always say, A good run is better than a bad stand, wise words I always thought

A wise work collegue of mine used to always love going to the other branch for a long stand.

DEFTLEFTHAND

Listen san in every county town around the country every weekend there's men squaring off with each other. Dreadful scenes fueled by alcohol, and from all walks of life, I've witnessed professional men getting sideways in a heated argument before outside our local Indian restaurant.

The Irish have a rep for being non confrontational, (bitch behind your back and not do anything) whilst sober, put drink into them and the true gael fighting grit comes out.

Clermont1098

Clermont1098 wrote: »

None of that makes any sense in connection to what I said. Never mind.

Then read it again until you understand it, or ask questions about what I meant. Not sure how making up things about what I meant helps anyone though.

bnt

Bravery is what happens when you're scared but still do what's necessary.

But the key word there, in my opinion, is necessary. Getting in fights with drunk people is not necessary. Jumping out of planes or off bridges is not necessary. We are not at war. How many opportunities are there, these days, for people to demonstrate true bravery? I don't think it's fair or accurate to call people cowardly when they've never needed to be genuinely brave.

sh1tstirrer

I notice a lot more people running away from me nowadays

Talib Fiasco

I wouldn't say more cowardly but definitely more self conscious. Even trying to get people to speak up in front of a small group is like pulling teeth.

RobertKK

I wouldn't say cowardly, one simply doesn't know what kind of person/people they are getting involved with and self preservation is important to most people.
You don't know if they have a weapon, prepared to use extreme violence and doing the seemingly right thing, can be the most stupid thing to do.
Ring the Gardai if you see a problem, they are the professionals.
An ordinary citizen getting involved in an unknown potentially dangerous situation is just being stupid, not cowardly.

I knew a person who I would see every Sunday after mass, where I would buy a paper and a few other things, a very nice and friendly person. His business was robbed, he ran after the thief, he got shot and died.
So, I just don't think it is worth getting involved, get the gardai involved, because you don't how a situation will end.

UCDVet

Maybe I'm just a coward but I never understood the argument for why I should (physically) fight someone. Especially a bully.

I'm in my 30s. 70kg dripping wet. More importantly my hobbies do not include street fighting, mma, boxing or anything else that would be of value in a fight. I spend most of my time sitting in a cubicle writing computer software.

Why would anyone expect me to go up and fight some bully?

Fighting is a skill, like any other. If I started fighting and made it part of who I am, if I spent hours each week training, in a few years, I'd be a pretty decent fighter. But, do you know who probably DOES spend hours each week training? BULLIES.

Bullies get into fights. They have practice. They are good at it. I personally knew a bully growing up. His Father was a physically abusive alcoholic. He spent years getting his ass beat, he knows how to take a punch, he's USED to getting hurt.

As a kid, he got into fights at school and was always in trouble. But he was tough as nails and a good athlete too. As he got older, his crimes got worse. He went to jail. He's stabbed and been stabbed. He has a lifetime of experience with violence. He's also two heads taller than me and has, at least, 15kg on me.

But our society seems to think that, IF I WERE A MAN, I'd square up against him in a fair fight. As if a fight between us could be fair.

Nobody would expect him to 'man up' and go head-to-head against me in an algorithmic programming contest.

It's not even a question of being brave. I'm not *afraid* of getting my ass kicked. I'm pragmatic and realistic. Of course the bully would win the fight. In almost all cases the bully would win the fight. That's why they are bullies.

_Kaiser_

DeadHand wrote: »

Yes, they are more cowardly, mostly because they are more selfish.

Young men, especially.

It's to do with consumerism, the cult of "me". Any sense of loyalty, honour, community or personal dignity has been superseded by the classless worship of possessions and ostentatious posing on and off social media.

Combine this with the feminisation of almost every section of society and you'll see why we don't produce as many good men anymore. Men in general and positive male role models in particular have disappeared from schools and are disappearing from homes. As a result, we see a feral class of violent young men and another class of self-obsessed, smug physical and moral cowards with fewer striking the happy medium of something in between.

We are now producing generations of cowards in the West.

Excellent post and spot on IMO

Also explains why the West is so woefully ill-equipped to deal with what "we" smugly consider to be less-developed/civilised parts of the world.

It's like the West decided that once the Cold War was "won" (though recent events in Russia would suggest otherwise), that was it.. job done! Now we could all get on with buying and selling crap we don't need to each other and posting about it and our day-to-day trivial nonsense on social media while trying to show how more socially conformist/PC we are than others.

Unfortunately for us, the rest of the planet hasn't yet reached this "utopia" - it's always laughable when some no-name politician issues a statement condemning some atrocity or other.. like those responsible give a fook!

It's only going to get worse too I reckon

newmug

People are definitely more cowardly. The concept of giving your time, nevermind your life, for something has now been relegated to the crazy bin. Sad to see really.

anncoates

dashcamdanny wrote: »

It would have to be something fairly major like that, for me to unleash my Kung Fu on bad people.

Karate man bruise on the inside!

Paco Rodriguez

I think my brain is stronger than my punches. I've a small frame and light so I would never win any fight...Apart from one at primary school.
So I'd never get physically involved in a situation that involved strangers.

But what in the case of someone attacking a friend, especially a female friend? Would ye not get involved?
I would. Even if getting a hiding, it takes the attention off my friend for a while.

dashcamdanny

Paco Rodriguez wrote: »

I think my brain is stronger than my punches. I've a small frame and light so I would never win any fight...Apart from one at primary school.
So I'd never get physically involved in a situation that involved strangers.

But what in the case of someone attacking a friend, especially a female friend? Would ye not get involved?
I would. Even if getting a hiding, it takes the attention off my friend for a while.

You would. And when you are getting the inevitable beating, you don't feel it. Until the next day that is.

In the few times I was involved in this sort of last resort thing, I was overcome with fear, adrenaline, excitement and aggression all at the same time. You will drum up strength you never realised you had, mentally and physically . Although you will be well aware of each kick or punch you receive, you will not feel any pain from it. Its like a strange type of switch in your head that deals with overdrive.

If one can't/won't even try to stand up for family or friends, after diplomacy has failed in a threatening situation.
Then they are indeed a true spineless coward.

Hardly a redeeming quality of any man or woman.

B.A._Baracus

newmug wrote: »

People are definitely more cowardly. The concept of giving your time, nevermind your life, for something has now been relegated to the crazy bin. Sad to see really.

Agreed.
On the subject what annoys me so much are the 'shapers' - especially in younger blokes.
Some of them look like it took 2 hours to get ready to leave the house. But "dont mess with me or i'll kick your head in" - ehhh yeah :pac:

COYVB

People are definitely more cowardly. That's why lots of them carry guns, knives and other weapons

skooterblue2

Aenaes wrote: »

Excuse me, I don't run. I glide away gracefully on my Segway, thank you very much.

woud want to check that those Segways are dangerous .... much more likely to mess up your face... see youtube video and they KILLED their creator..... OMG OMG... is this how Terminator started off?

ancapailldorcha

newmug wrote: »

People are definitely more cowardly. The concept of giving your time, nevermind your life, for something has now been relegated to the crazy bin. Sad to see really.

What were these somethings? Land for a despotic tyrant? The maintenance of a status quo which benefits a wealthy elite who couldn't care less for anyone else?

UCDVet

newmug wrote: »

People are definitely more cowardly. The concept of giving your time, nevermind your life, for something has now been relegated to the crazy bin. Sad to see really.

I don't think it's cowardice.
I think it's common sense.

Our modern society has a lot of advantages over every other generation. First, we have it better, in so many ways. When life is good, people are a lot less willing to risk their lives to improve it. When you've got a home and a family and plenty of food on the table; nevermind the internet, cable TV, freetime, health care, well, it's a lot easier to calmly discuss your political opinions than it is to take up arms and fight to the death.

Second, we have the advantage of nearly endless amounts of information at our fingertips. It's a lot harder to be idealistic and march to your death when you aren't being spoon-fed propaganda (not impossible, just harder).

Third, and possibly most importantly, we often have better means available to us. Why bother fighting to the death and laying down your life when you can achieve the same thing without dying? We don't have to look very hard to see that even armed conflicts with lots of death rarely results in a quick change of policies. You still end up with half measures and compromise, if you manage to make any change at all. A lot of times you just die.

What current issues in Ireland do you feel are best addressed with citizens laying down their lives? That, presumably, if we weren't cowards, we'd be dying for. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not happy with Irish Water - but am I willing to die to express my discontentment? Hell no.

dashcamdanny

UCDVet wrote: »

I don't think it's cowardice.
I think it's common sense.

Our modern society has a lot of advantages over every other generation. First, we have it better, in so many ways. When life is good, people are a lot less willing to risk their lives to improve it. When you've got a home and a family and plenty of food on the table; nevermind the internet, cable TV, freetime, health care, well, it's a lot easier to calmly discuss your political opinions than it is to take up arms and fight to the death.

Second, we have the advantage of nearly endless amounts of information at our fingertips. It's a lot harder to be idealistic and march to your death when you aren't being spoon-fed propaganda (not impossible, just harder).

Third, and possibly most importantly, we often have better means available to us. Why bother fighting to the death and laying down your life when you can achieve the same thing without dying? We don't have to look very hard to see that even armed conflicts with lots of death rarely results in a quick change of policies. You still end up with half measures and compromise, if you manage to make any change at all. A lot of times you just die.

What current issues in Ireland do you feel are best addressed with citizens laying down their lives? That, presumably, if we weren't cowards, we'd be dying for. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not happy with Irish Water - but am I willing to die to express my discontentment? Hell no.

What if the extremists of the world took up arms directly against us ?

Such a thing is very possible right now.

Others wanting to kill everyone in the country regardless of how much bandwidth or food you have you have in your house.

Would one cower into a corner using this new age intellect you think we have evolved since the last world war, or would you defend yourself and your country and your way of life.
To sneer and laugh at such a possibility would be common, but the very same thing happened to some of our grandparents and great grandparents. And generations before them also.

To think over a generation or two we have developed some new part in our brains that makes us not do that anymore is a bit absurd.

newmug

UCDVet wrote: »

I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not happy with Irish Water - but am I willing to die to express my discontentment? Hell no.

You've just answered your own question there. You disagree with Irish Water, but what are the chances you'll go on thirst strike to prove your point?


Nil.


Bravery never makes common sense. That's the point. Sometimes it takes balls of granite, and a lifetime of suffering, or indeed death, to achieve what's right. And those who come after you are the ones who'll benefit, not you.


We are now benefitting from what Michael Collins, Devalera, every soldier who fought the Nazi's, every aid worker, every volunteer against the spread of disease, every teacher who taught in spite of their own hardships, every scientist who struggled on despite not having the funding or support to carry out their work, every campaigner for rights (yes, even those who turned up to rally against abortion, Irish Water, cuts to home help etc.), every anonymous mother who does her best to raise her children in impossible circumstances, we are benefitting from what all these people have done. And most people just don't appreciate it.


IMO its just down to selfishness, "Why should I try to change anything, I'm alright jack"! But in reality, selfishness is the worst kind of cowardice of them all.

twinytwo

DeadHand wrote: »

Yes, they are more cowardly, mostly because they are more selfish.

Young men, especially.

It's to do with consumerism, the cult of "me". Any sense of loyalty, honour, community or personal dignity has been superseded by the classless worship of possessions and ostentatious posing on and off social media.

Combine this with the feminisation of almost every section of society and you'll see why we don't produce as many good men anymore. Men in general and positive male role models in particular have disappeared from schools and are disappearing from homes. As a result, we see a feral class of violent young men and another class of self-obsessed, smug physical and moral cowards with fewer striking the happy medium of something in between.

We are now producing generations of cowards in the West.

Sir, I take my hat off, post of the year!

UCDVet

dashcamdanny wrote: »

What if the extremists of the world took up arms directly against us ?

Such a thing is very possible right now.

Others wanting to kill everyone in the country regardless of how much bandwidth or food you have you have in your house.

Would one cower into a corner using this new age intellect you think we have evolved since the last world war, or would you defend yourself and your country and your way of life.
To sneer and laugh at such a possibility would be common, but the very same thing happened to some of our grandparents and great grandparents. And generations before them also.

To think over a generation or two we have developed some new part in our brains that makes us not do that anymore is a bit absurd.

I don't think that's a fair argument to make. "We're cowards because I speculate we aren't willing to lay down our lives for a cause that doesn't exist yet"