[LiteraryLark]

It seems like today the world is so tragic, but hasn't it always been?

Today, we are faced with terrorism bombings, mass shootings, and police brutality.

But throughout history we have always had violence.

We had the Vietnam war, the 1960s protests, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Holocaust, the World Wars, gangsters and the mafia, the KKK, cowboys and outlaws, the guillotine, witch trials, medieval torture...the list goes on and on.

It seems like no matter where we are in history there is violence, but it also seems like our generation makes it seem more horrific than before. People are in hysterics over what is happening in the world today, but to me it seems like it is all relevant. I don't think we are at the worst of it, getting there, but I am not at the point of hysterics over it. I certainly wouldn't want to be a Jew in WWII, I wouldn't want to be a Frenchman in the guillotine days, I wouldn't want to be a woman during the Salem witch trials.

Should we worried about the world today? Yes, the world is violent...but it always has been. Is it going to get worse? No doubt...But is it really something to get hysterical over? I would much rather come together as a global community to end the violence than to hide under a rock and hope and pray it all goes away.

Do you think violence is relevant? Should we be worried or hysterical? Are we really worse off in the technology age than in the Industrial days? Do we really have it bad? How bad is it?

[*Laurie*]

I don't think we need to be worried or hysterical. Yes, there has been violence on earth since recorded history. I have more concern for the environment...the oceans and such...than for violence.

[eskielover]

What makes you think there will ever be a SUCCESSFUL global community that will be lasting when its human nature in countries to want to dominate other countries. It there isn't peace within families you can bet there never will be between countries.

At the same time it's nothing to worry or get hysterical about either. Just live life responsibly as it comes. Besides, I believe God is in charge of the big picture though we are responsible for caring for the environment we live in

[venusss]

Well, today we are facing something called "hybrid war" which is somewhat worrisome, because aside of typical violence, psychological warfare means are used. It could cause great trauma to whole generations. Hybrid war creates a fear.

If you look at Europe today, terrorism is not the biggest worry, but the fear and rapid rise of extreme nationalism is. Racially motivated attacks are increasing. Formerly politically stable and calm countries are experiencing tensions, which go beyond politics. The minute a girl who puts shawl over her hair, because it is raining and she does not want to ruin her 'do and gets attacked by so-called "patriot" to whom anything worn on female head is a "burqa"... we have a problem. When it's okay to post on social media under your own name about killing people running from war and people like away, when you can talk about drowning refugees over work lunch and people agree... it shows a degradation of society.

When people in former soviet block praise Putin, because of their struggles (which are nothing compared to problems Putin's Russia is facing today. In fact, the more safe, higher HDI and stable the country is, the more there seems to be tension and fear).... yes, we should worry.

When we see terrorist attacks as "oh well, another week, another attack" and find coups exciting, eventhough we don't know on which side to stand (like in Turkey)... there is something horribly, horribly wrong.

Many people think we are not close to WWIII, but we are in fact in WWIII. Although it does not have strinking weapons ala Hollywood movies... yet. Just lots of wars on many fronts and hybrid attacks on western societies in attempts to cause fear, distrust and undermine our very own democratic foundation.

[eskielover]

Venusss thank you for your insight from where you are with a birds eye view of what is really going on in Europe.....with all this going on Even internally beyond politics its obvious no successful global community will be formed & if something looks like it, it won't be there for long

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

I think violence is absolutely relevant. The way I see it, things are nowhere near as savage as it used to be back in the day. I'd say we're getting better, definitely not worse. Unfortunately, while many are growing and learning, others are hanging back. I think there are some serious issues with humanity which, until we fix, will probably always cause us to stumble over each other. Some that know, are too scared or lack power to do anything about it. Furthermore, humans are stubborn... some people just don't want to change, or fear it. I think we'll get there some day, but no time soon, not until those aforementioned things are completely dealt with.

[lizardlady]

Like IchbinkeinTeufel said, violence is absolutely relevant. Is there more of it than in the past? I'm not sure. I do know that social media gives us instant access to violence which increases the sense that the world is more violent.

Venuss, thank you for a first hand view of what is happening in Europe.

Back in my teens and 20s I believed it was my personal responsibility to end strife in the world. Yeah, I'm now aware that is not rational. As you can imagine it caused me all sorts of distress that I was not able to do this. For my own peace of mind and sanity I now focus on the small part of the world I actually come in contact with. My hope is that it will spread in ripples outward.

[Lovino]

Violence has indeed become more relevant ever since the use of the Internet became more widespread. Now people have quicker information to news and information that'd otherwise stay local or secret. It makes me happy that people are having a more worldwide view of things instead of just focusing on their immediate surroundings, but at the same time it's a burden to people who can't do much, or anything, about the problems.

It makes sense that people are getting hysterical over this, especially if the violence goes on somewhere near them. It makes one too aware of the possibility of something bad happening to them or someone they care about. If someone struggles with paranoia or depression of any kind then I wouldn't recommend they pay attention to the news, since they already have enough on their plate to deal with, they don't need the weight of the world on their shoulders.

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

If someone struggles with paranoia or depression of any kind then I wouldn't recommend they pay attention to the news, since they already have enough on their plate to deal with, they don't need the weight of the world on their shoulders.

I don't watch the news at all because of my OCD, depression, and anxiety issues. As you say, I have enough on my plate as it is! xD I don't even watch TV. I watch Netflix and stuff because I can control what I see.

I find it very frustrating when people get at me for not watching the news, as though I'm some kind of lowly peasant. ¬_¬ They don't understand it's for my mental health. There are some news things I do find interesting and don't get troubled by, such as technology and space news; I love that stuff! When someone tells me I need to watch the news and that I'm stupid if I don't, what they're really saying is that my health isn't important and that I need to do something because of a belief that they have; to appease them.

Take care of #1 too, y'all. Life is too short to be stressing about every single thing that happens in the world. Horrible things happen on a lot more than just this world, of that I'm certain. It doesn't mean I don't care, though. Another aspect to news that puts me off is that it gets on my nerves... I get genuinely irritated (putting it lightly) by some of the things people do in this world. I'm cynical enough as it is!

I'm sorry to be so negative and I hope I haven't offended anyone. I have nothing against someone watching the news or anything like that. To each their own, basically.

[Unrigged64072835]

With violence so prominently displayed in the media, it can create a sense of a lack of safety. I don't watch the news and will only look at a newspaper or Web site in passing. Like Ich there are some things I may look at in more detail, but I don't keep looking for the bad stuff. I know it's happening but I don't need to be immersed in it.

[venusss]

Originally Posted by Lovino

Violence has indeed become more relevant ever since the use of the Internet became more widespread. Now people have quicker information to news and information that'd otherwise stay local or secret. It makes me happy that people are having a more worldwide view of things instead of just focusing on their immediate surroundings, but at the same time it's a burden to people who can't do much, or anything, about the problems.

It makes sense that people are getting hysterical over this, especially if the violence goes on somewhere near them. It makes one too aware of the possibility of something bad happening to them or someone they care about. If someone struggles with paranoia or depression of any kind then I wouldn't recommend they pay attention to the news, since they already have enough on their plate to deal with, they don't need the weight of the world on their shoulders.

So we turn off the news and let the situation deteriate? NO. I may have few mental quirks but i am still able to cast a vote, attend a protest, be part of a movement, sent a money to cause.

By turning off the news the violence will not disappear. Nobody will care I have depression or whatnot if they want to commit act of terror near me.

When you turn off the news, you get forwarded e-mails, facebook shares and "I heard they secretly bring here immigrants in night, so nobody knows!!!!!" from your neighbor or random person on the bus. And you will be so ignorant, you will fall for it.
Yes, the news from decent sources are bad, but bearable and don't **** with your mind.

Hybrid war attacks the vulnerable. It is aware of their "too depressed to watch the news", so it delivers the propaganda by other means. And don't tell me you don't go to Facebook or social media of any sorts and don't talk to any self-imposed political science experts of who just "know" and deliberatelly and gleefully pass on yet another hoax.

If somebody is depressed they should watch news for some 30 minutes a day, as it was done in old time and be aware that the mispelled powerpoints and baldy edited videos that land in your inbox are not true. The world will not end tomorrow, even if we are at war.

Look, you either are self-centered and you are not. If you are outwards centered person, even depression and what not will not make you not care. If you are happy/stuck in your own world... then well.

[venusss]

Sorry, I am just frustrated with people who "don't watch news cause it is too hard". Some people cannot afford it. Do you think in Aleppo, they can turn of Al Jaz and put on Kitten Academy lifestream, when it gets too much. Uh, they have no electricity.

I have been actually quite agresivelly told that I need to stop with activist and focused on helping lesser fortunate reasons when Christmas (or simmilar) rolls around, because people want to enjoy it. Like, you cannot force others to be shallow and ignorant.

[MickeyCheeky]

Well.. that was harsh :/

[Chyialee]

Originally Posted by venusss

Sorry, I am just frustrated with people who "don't watch news cause it is too hard". Some people cannot afford it. Do you think in Aleppo, they can turn of Al Jaz and put on Kitten Academy lifestream, when it gets too much. Uh, they have no electricity.

I have been actually quite agresivelly told that I need to stop with activist and focused on helping lesser fortunate reasons when Christmas (or simmilar) rolls around, because people want to enjoy it. Like, you cannot force others to be shallow and ignorant.

Venuss, I understand how frustrated you are -- and in some ways I agree, at least with your motivating factor as I understand it.

I don't advocate willful ignorance nor head-in-the-sand unreality -- however, there are personal limits for some of us. I overload easily and drastically when people are shouting at each other, (Aspie) particularly if the language used is nasty and, yes, violent. Turning away from exposure to things that are clinically triggering isn't avoidance of responsibility -- it's necessary health measure for some individuals.

But willful ignorance isn't the answer, of course. I read the news; when my more-strongly Asperger's sister Laenie was still alive we would discuss things that worried or confused us on a regular basis -- my son is another Aspie who is easily freaked out (from zero to Warp-10 in seconds flat, and it takes hours to reel him back to earth); so calm and factual are necessary components of imparting ANY information to him that requires formulating informed basis for action.

Raised by Pacifists from one of the traditional "Peace Churches" -- Peace was/is Activism for me; since I cannot banish violence from the world or even from people's hearts, we try to make a personal work the alleviation of its impact on people's lives.

Sorry so long. I cannot change the world -- but I can change my own personal world, by how I live my life and what I invite into it.

::sermon sermon sermon:: sorry

Love an peace and all that hippie-residue (but I mean it)

K, I'll show myself out

Chyia, wishing and working for peace in my own life, and hoping for it in all of yours as well

[Lovino]

Originally Posted by venusss

So we turn off the news and let the situation deteriate? NO. I may have few mental quirks but i am still able to cast a vote, attend a protest, be part of a movement, sent a money to cause.

By turning off the news the violence will not disappear. Nobody will care I have depression or whatnot if they want to commit act of terror near me.

When you turn off the news, you get forwarded e-mails, facebook shares and "I heard they secretly bring here immigrants in night, so nobody knows!!!!!" from your neighbor or random person on the bus. And you will be so ignorant, you will fall for it.
Yes, the news from decent sources are bad, but bearable and don't **** with your mind.

Hybrid war attacks the vulnerable. It is aware of their "too depressed to watch the news", so it delivers the propaganda by other means. And don't tell me you don't go to Facebook or social media of any sorts and don't talk to any self-imposed political science experts of who just "know" and deliberatelly and gleefully pass on yet another hoax.

If somebody is depressed they should watch news for some 30 minutes a day, as it was done in old time and be aware that the mispelled powerpoints and baldy edited videos that land in your inbox are not true. The world will not end tomorrow, even if we are at war.

Look, you either are self-centered and you are not. If you are outwards centered person, even depression and what not will not make you not care. If you are happy/stuck in your own world... then well.

I'm sorry if my post offended you, but it was not directed towards you at all. It wasn't even directed towards all mentally ill people as a whole. I've had personal experiences with reading the news and having break downs because of it. I don't need to read the news to know that people are being killed mindlessly by each other or that idiots are gaining power in politics.

Things they say on TV are almost as warped as, if not entirely, the same way things on the Internet are. Yes, trying to learn and understand the news from an unbiased source is important; yes, voting is important. Despite this, not everyone can keep up with the news or donate to charity. That doesn't necessarily make them self-centered, it just means they're looking after their health. There's a difference, especially since someone's mental health effects all of the people around them.

[Rainstoppedplay]

Humans are violent because they are carnivores, they have a killer instinct. Even now people still get a buzz out of killing for fun. Like Trumps revolting murdering trophy hunting sons.
“As long as Man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.”
― Pythagoras

[venusss]

Things they say on TV are almost as warped as, if not entirely, the same way things on the Internet are. Yes, trying to learn and understand the news from an unbiased source is important; yes, voting is important. Despite this, not everyone can keep up with the news or donate to charity. That doesn't necessarily make them self-centered, it just means they're looking after their health. There's a difference, especially since someone's mental health effects all of the people around them.

But will it make you healthier if you receive all your information from hoax e-mails?

I had to stop seeing people over this. News made them depressed, so they stopped watching it. And all of sudden they are speaking paranoid over the top crap, are scared and sorta out of touch. Which definitelly affects people around them.

I don't need to read the news to know that people are being killed mindlessly by each other or that idiots are gaining power in politics.

So what difference make it, actually following reliable news source?

I am not for "avoiding triggers, including the whole entire world". And I rather focus on the mess outside than roll around in my own unhappiness. It gives one perspective and... not focusing on your problems is sometimes good. Spending too much time in your head is sometimes worse than lifestreaming Al Jazeera 24/7.

[lizardlady]

The discussion of watch/not watch the news brings to mind the analogy of putting on your oxygen mask on an airplane - put your mask on first so you can then help others. For some avoiding the news is part of putting on their oxygen mask. They are taking care of themself.

In the worst of my depression I had a black view of the world. EVERYTHING was negative. I could not watch the news because it fed into that view, driving me deeper into the pit. I understand the frustration of some about people who hide from the world or get their news from extremely biased places. I have a friend who has no contact with the news - print, TV, online - nothing nada. I had to call her to tell her the state was being threatened by a hurricane! She has interest in what is going on in the world. At the same time there are people who avoid the news out of self protection. They have that right

[eskielover]

My dad was one of those people who were NOT INFORMED about anything going on in the world around him globally or locally. He was in Germany in WWII but I don't think he was informed before that either. I knew that for several reasons. One, we never had anything I could use for current event assignments at school & my mom didn't drive so I always had to go to neighbors to get newspaper or magazine articles. I was always envious of the kids that knew what was going on in the world around them.

The sad part was that my dad would talk like he knew something when around other men who would be talking. He would give his opinion as if he KNEW that what he was saying was a factual account. Ugh, he was so embarrassing to be around at times like that. Lucky it didn't happen often. There is one thing to be uninformed & admit it but to pretend to be informed when it's only opinions from ones own uninformed mind....not ok because it's obvious to those who are informed.

Think his time in the army during WWII only made worse a condition that already existed

[avlady]

its no joke everywhere and somewhere people are using violence to control others. like someone said we are looking and may be in the beginnings of WW111. All we can do is watch the news and another violent attack happens.

[Pilojade]

"Mutual assured destruction or mutually assured destruction (MAD) is a doctrine of military strategy and national security policy in which a full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two or more opposing sides would cause the complete annihilation of both the attacker and the defender (see pre-emptive nuclear strike and second strike).[1] It is based on the theory of deterrence, which holds that the threat of using strong weapons against the enemy prevents the enemy's use of those same weapons. The strategy is a form of Nash equilibrium in which, once armed, neither side has any incentive to initiate a conflict or to disarm."

The strategy of MAD was fully declared in the early 1960s, primarily by United States Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. The Cold War brought the Cuban Missile Crisis, people building bunkers to protect their families from nuclear attack and Khrushchev removing his shoe while attending a meeting of the UN General Assembly in September 1960 and then banging it on the podium to emphasize his belief in the eventual, and inevitable, victory of world communism.

Violence is relevant. In my experience, the threat of violence is almost as intolerable as the actual thing.

Originally Posted by venusss

I rather focus on the mess outside than roll around in my own unhappiness. It gives one perspective and... not focusing on your problems is sometimes good. Spending too much time in your head is sometimes worse than lifestreaming Al Jazeera 24/7.

The flaw in your argument is that you assume that by not focusing on the outside world, the only alternative is that we are "focusing on [our] own problems" and "spending too much time in [our] head." Perhaps there is another alternative for many of us. Perhaps by not getting overly focused on the violence in the world (and I don't mean being completely unaware of what is going on -- just not spending a lot of time focused on it), we are not focusing on our own problems, but rather, more able to live positively, take care of our lives, our families, our children -- find areas in our lives to find fulfillment and optimism. I actively choose to find the positives in my personal life which helps me maintain good emotional and mental balance. In doing so, I can look at what is going on in the world without it overwhelming me. We aren't all cut out to be activists, Venuss. That is your thing, but even you have attested to that focus created problems for you. We all have to make personal choices that are best for us and our personal world. That isn't "focusing on our problems;" that is finding a positive world view and personal view DESPITE our problems.

[venusss]

We aren't all cut out to be activists, Venuss. That is your thing, but even you have attested to that focus created problems for you.

of course we aren't and we don't need to be.

But I am big sucker of civil societies.

Though lately I feel like back in school, when in group assignment, manically trying to make good presentation, while rest of the group is goofing off.


And as for this causing problems for me... well, yeah, it did, so what. If it helps greater populace on the long run, so it be, it is worth it.

I am not talking about anybody in here, but it seems lately everybody thinks they are entitled to everything in life, but they owe nothing. And they shouldn't be reminded about the bad things. So we have gold diggers who make songs about how they do not want the refugees here because couple Syrians may destroy "my pink world".

In the 1990s lots of people liked to close their eyes and pretend Yugoslovia is "far far faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar away from here" (I am talking Central Europe). To subsequently turn some of the countries in their vacation spot, because... "huh, it's not so far away after all and the sea is nice there".

Since I consider the situation going on out there a war (however strange and hybrid) it is... I think it would be nice if everybody stayed reasonably informed. If we lose this one, we all will have plenty things to be depressed and anxious about.

[Pikku Myy]

Violence is real. Today's technology just makes it so much prevalent. Live thru a beating and survive... it real.

Originally Posted by venusss

And as for this causing problems for me... well, yeah, it did, so what. If it helps greater populace on the long run, so it be, it is worth it.

I am not talking about anybody in here, but it seems lately everybody thinks they are entitled to everything in life, but they owe nothing. And they shouldn't be reminded about the bad things. So we have gold diggers who make songs about how they do not want the refugees here because couple Syrians may destroy "my pink world".

In the 1990s lots of people liked to close their eyes and pretend Yugoslovia is "far far faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar away from here" (I am talking Central Europe). To subsequently turn some of the countries in their vacation spot, because... "huh, it's not so far away after all and the sea is nice there".

Since I consider the situation going on out there a war (however strange and hybrid) it is... I think it would be nice if everybody stayed reasonably informed. If we lose this one, we all will have plenty things to be depressed and anxious about.

If you are okay with your activism creating problems for you, that's great -- for you. I sometimes get the feeling though that you feel if others aren't ALL intensely involved in world causes and politics, then they aren't worthy in your eyes. You use a lot of all or nothing thinking. You say "everybody thinks they are entitled to everything" in life and "everybody" should stay reasonable informed. But perhaps you need to recognize (you sort of did but then contradicted yourself) that not "everybody" thinks they are entitled; that is a certain group, even many people, but not as black and white as "all" people. As for a "reasonably informed" goes, I think your idea of what that actually means is much more intense than the norm -- your knowledge is much more than just reasonably informed so you do tend to set the bar rather higher than even average.

You are in intense individual with a low tolerance for people who choose not to live with intensity about the same things you find are important. Perhaps give people credit for having intensity and passion for other things in the world that might have nothing to do with war and violence. Some people are intensely passionate about art or music or education or their children or families. It might be a thought to consider that other people's passions for other things are as valid and important for them as your passion and intensity for your world issues that you live right in the middle of are to you. Just a thought.