Irrational Fear Of Terrorists? |
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Jun 6 2016, 09:06 PM
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It seems to me and many other folks that perhaps we, as a country, have become a bit OCD in our fear of "Death by Terrorism". Just to put things in perspective. . According to snopes.com, in 2015, 21 toddlers shot and killed themselves or others. That same year, 19 Americans died at the hands of potential or suspected Islamic terrorists. These numbers take into account the mass shootings in San Bernardino by a Muslim man.
Read more at http://www.snopes.com/toddlers-killed-americans-terrorists/ So in the United States, Toddlers finding guns end up causing more deaths than all the terrorists combined, on our soil anyway. In reality, obesity, alcoholism, and prescription pills (In 2014, more than 14,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids per the CDC) kill far more people every year. Yet we don't seem as freaked out about those. hmm. Todd This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Jun 6 2016, 09:06 PM |
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Jun 7 2016, 02:16 AM
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There's actually an academic name for that - the over reaction to an exaggerated existential 'danger' - it's known as "Terror Management Theory".
Fear of death from this existential cause - real, imagined or just exaggerated, in turn, engenders a defense of one’s cultural worldview. Consequently, the theory predicts that if the salience of one’s mortality (i.e., dying) is raised, the world view will be more heavily endorsed to buffer the resulting anxiety. Under conditions of heightened mortality potential, defense and justification of the 'ideal' worldview (whatever that would be?) should be intensified. Thereby decreasing tolerance of opposing views and social, cultural, and political alternatives. When confronted with thoughts of their own mortality, people appear to shun and/or punish outsiders and those who threaten the status of the cherished worldviews. Politicians from all sides, have throughout history ALWAYS used this tactic. It's as simple as the classic 'remember when' or 'before we had this' or 'back in the good old days'. It works because people generally have a very rosy, revisionist and distorted view of the past. This post has been edited by klasaine: Jun 7 2016, 02:17 AM -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Jun 7 2016, 04:31 AM
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This is one of the most well thought out replies I've ever read. Nice!! Of course, you are spot on here. Nailed it outta the gate. The cause/effect of this type of thing is nothing short of propaganda IMHO and it's always worked, just like you say. Sadly, folks can't always tell when they are being manipulated by others, including the media.
 I left the stats on booze out but what the heck. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/ov...-and-statistics
– You are 35,079 times more likely to die from heart disease than from a terrorist attack So we get worked up, as a nation, about something that is a statistically insignificant threat and it makes us more ok with trading freedom for security, more ok with spending billions on the military instead of education/job training, etc. Also, it sells commercial time on TV news. If they just ran stories about how we are killing ourselves off MUCH faster than the baddies, nobody would watch the news at all  Todd QUOTE (klasaine @ Jun 6 2016, 09:16 PM)  There's actually an academic name for that - the over reaction to an exaggerated existential 'danger' - it's known as "Terror Management Theory".
Fear of death from this existential cause - real, imagined or just exaggerated, in turn, engenders a defense of one’s cultural worldview. Consequently, the theory predicts that if the salience of one’s mortality (i.e., dying) is raised, the world view will be more heavily endorsed to buffer the resulting anxiety. Under conditions of heightened mortality potential, defense and justification of the 'ideal' worldview (whatever that would be?) should be intensified. Thereby decreasing tolerance of opposing views and social, cultural, and political alternatives. When confronted with thoughts of their own mortality, people appear to shun and/or punish outsiders and those who threaten the status of the cherished worldviews. Politicians from all sides, have throughout history ALWAYS used this tactic. It's as simple as the classic 'remember when' or 'before we had this' or 'back in the good old days'. It works because people generally have a very rosy, revisionist and distorted view of the past. |
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Jun 8 2016, 05:17 AM
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We became fairly used to terror threats in the 70s and 80s in Britain, from the IRA. If you ever went to London around Christmas time you almost expected bomb warnings and places to be evacuated. Guys in Belfast were living with the threat and military presence day in day out.
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Jun 8 2016, 03:42 PM
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I think it's worth noting that Terror Management Theory goes back to 1651. Thomas Hobbes, 'Leviathan'.
In a nutshell, Hobbes argued for rule by an absolute sovereign. That constant civil war was a state of nature. He called it the war of all, against all - and that it could only be avoided by a strong, undivided government. Nowhere has this shown to be more true than in the Middle East. We depose the strong man and all 'tribal' hell breaks loose. This post has been edited by klasaine: Jun 8 2016, 03:43 PM -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Jun 8 2016, 11:13 PM
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You are pointing out an instance where the common public perception is a reflection of how minds in our culture have been turned into Silly Putty by the entertainment industries, most notably what we call "the News". In this case terrorist "shoot um up" stories are entertaining to the general public, and the after effect is that they develop an unrealistic and exaggerated perception of the dangers, fearing things that are highly unlikely ever to touch their personal lives, or the lives of anyone close to them.
Neil Postman wrote a prophetic book on this subject in 1985. It is dated a bit of course due to the technologies of the time, but his thesis still holds, even more so now after cable TV and Internet. Still you can see that under the Amazon category "TV & Video Engineering" it is the #1 best seller. http://www.amazon.com/Amusing-Ourselves-De...ooks&sr=1-1 I have read some other books on the subject, but all have paled in comparison to Postman, notwithstanding it's being written in the pre Cable TV/Internet age. You can also find interviews of Neil Postman on youtube. This post has been edited by fkalich: Jun 8 2016, 11:53 PM |
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Jun 8 2016, 11:54 PM
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QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Jun 6 2016, 09:06 PM) It seems to me and many other folks that perhaps we, as a country, have become a bit OCD in our fear of "Death by Terrorism". Just to put things in perspective. . According to snopes.com, in 2015, 21 toddlers shot and killed themselves or others. That same year, 19 Americans died at the hands of potential or suspected Islamic terrorists. These numbers take into account the mass shootings in San Bernardino by a Muslim man. Read more at http://www.snopes.com/toddlers-killed-americans-terrorists/ So in the United States, Toddlers finding guns end up causing more deaths than all the terrorists combined, on our soil anyway. In reality, obesity, alcoholism, and prescription pills (In 2014, more than 14,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids per the CDC) kill far more people every year. Yet we don't seem as freaked out about those. hmm. Todd WHAT , have you completely forgot about 9-11 Google for yourself how many illegal Muslim immigrants enter the the US every year and just ask yourself , Why it seems so many people want to find long reports to help support their opinions and all along forget about common sense This post has been edited by jstcrsn: Jun 9 2016, 12:28 AM |
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Jun 9 2016, 01:59 AM
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QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Jun 8 2016, 01:29 PM) Not to say terrorism isn't real, it is. It's sadly become the Orwellian "forever war" that mostly serves to eliminate freedom in favor of the appearance of security. And this is the essence of 'Leviathan' and more recently Terror Management Theory. *Which refers to managing us with terror (not managing terror). The powers that be: big money, all govt. (big or small), politicians, law enforcement, the military (industrial complex, not the actual soldiers) - they want to scare the living shit out of us so that we give up freedoms, part with our money, agree to some of the stupid shit they propose and be suspicious of everything and everybody that doesn't fit into our 'world view'. Of course it only really works when the majority of a population is willing to be that frightened. In my opinion and it is truly just my opinion and really more my feeling or instinct as a human being, is that a threatening and/or protectionist posture and approach to China, Russia, Mexico, etc., whether it be matters of trade or immigration, displays fear not strength. -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Jun 9 2016, 03:03 AM
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Jun 9 2016, 05:27 AM
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Crsn: Nope, I have not and will never forget about 9-11. Not sure how you came to that conclusion. But it's just not the case. I don't think anyone can forget it. I was just trying to make a point about perception vs reality.
I'm not sure what you are getting at with your question here Please just tell us Why are so many people doing what you suggest (e.g. finding long reports and forgetting about common sense)?QUOTE (jstcrsn @ Jun 8 2016, 06:54 PM) WHAT , have you completely forgot about 9-11 Google for yourself how many illegal Muslim immigrants enter the the US every year and just ask yourself , Why it seems so many people want to find long reports to help support their opinions and all along forget about common sense klasaine BINGO!! I have to agree entirely. Well said George Orwell seems to have had it right all along. Even to the the level of "Thought Crime" with our every web search/post being archived and sifted through, saying the wrong thing online, just expressing a thought, can get you in serious trouble and/or declared "a person of interest". Just a sad state of affairs.Todd QUOTE (klasaine @ Jun 8 2016, 08:59 PM) And this is the essence of 'Leviathan' and more recently Terror Management Theory. *Which refers to managing us with terror (not managing terror). The powers that be: big money, all govt. (big or small), politicians, law enforcement, the military (industrial complex, not the actual soldiers) - they want to scare the living shit out of us so that we give up freedoms, part with our money, agree to some of the stupid shit they propose and be suspicious of everything and everybody that doesn't fit into our 'world view'. Of course it only really works when the majority of a population is willing to be that frightened. In my opinion and it is truly just my opinion and really more my feeling or instinct as a human being, is that a threatening and/or protectionist posture and approach to China, Russia, Mexico, etc., whether it be matters of trade or immigration, displays fear not strength. It's scary on the surface for sure, but they were just responding to copyright infringement, so they say You can still get legit versions of 1984 on there. QUOTE (Spock @ Jun 8 2016, 10:03 PM) Fkalich: Thanks for that! I'll have to check it out. He seems spot on. What he is on about in that book seems to be aligned with one of my previous posts if the amazon preview is accurate. It's largely the media, just trying to stay alive and make a buck, scaring us straight so to speak and making us angry , just to encourage eyeballs on the screen in order to charge more for add space. They have found the soft spot in our cultural cranium and they are poking it with a stick for the sake of increased revenue. QUOTE (fkalich @ Jun 8 2016, 06:13 PM) You are pointing out an instance where the common public perception is a reflection of how minds in our culture have been turned into Silly Putty by the entertainment industries, most notably what we call "the News". In this case terrorist "shoot um up" stories are entertaining to the general public, and the after effect is that they develop an unrealistic and exaggerated perception of the dangers, fearing things that are highly unlikely ever to touch their personal lives, or the lives of anyone close to them.
Neil Postman wrote a prophetic book on this subject in 1985. It is dated a bit of course due to the technologies of the time, but his thesis still holds, even more so now after cable TV and Internet. Still you can see that under the Amazon category "TV & Video Engineering" it is the #1 best seller. http://www.amazon.com/Amusing-Ourselves-De...ooks&sr=1-1 I have read some other books on the subject, but all have paled in comparison to Postman, notwithstanding it's being written in the pre Cable TV/Internet age. You can also find interviews of Neil Postman on youtube. This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Jun 9 2016, 05:19 AM |
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Jun 9 2016, 05:14 PM
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QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Jun 9 2016, 03:00 AM) Spock: Based on the stats I posted, terrorism is used as a "fear tool" by the media to scare us in to watching the news. That was my main point. Terrorism is often billed as being an immediate threat to us while in fact, our own eating/drinking/smoking/prescription pill habits are TENS OF THOUSANDS of times more likely to kill us. Those things are the actual broad threat, according to the numbers. However, none of that sells ad space on the news. None of that sells ad space on the news? It IS the news and all of those things you mention are talked about on the news quite a bit and also come to us in the form of public service announcements. You can see stories on all of those topics quite often in the news (eating, drinking, smoking, pills etc) especially the morning shows such as the Today show , Good Morning America etc. As an example. Most recently we have lost Prince and as it turns out, abuse of prescription medication is the reason why and as a result there have been numerous stories on the dangers of abusing prescription medications. If the dangers of bad eating habits etc have not been talked about, how would we know about the benefits of eating healthy or the dangers of abusing prescription meds or smoking and drinking? We just went out and found info on these dangers on our own? It is interesting that I didn't see any concern from you when the current admin renewed and expanded on the Patriot Act, and where was the outrage when we learned more about the NSA's warrantless wire tapping? http://articles.latimes.com/2013/aug/19/op...-obama-20130819 Since we are discussing irrational fears. Is there an irrational fear of Conservatism? 
This post has been edited by AK Rich: Jun 9 2016, 06:18 PM |
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Jun 9 2016, 05:15 PM
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It's not the fear of terrorism that is irrational, it's the (irrational) amount of emphasis on it.
We should absolutely be vigilant and aware but irrational fear is what breeds totalitarianism. -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Jun 9 2016, 06:14 PM
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Oops. .....
This post has been edited by AK Rich: Jun 9 2016, 06:18 PM |
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