Support NeoGAF

[Tabris]

I had made this post in one of the numerous police shooting / school shooting / racial shooting threads out there lately, and I thought it would make a good topic for discussion. Both a debate on whether it does have a culture of fear and where it comes from?

America has this weird culture of fear.

Fear of the government.
Fear of other races.
Fear of each other.
Fear of terrorists.

Combine that culture of fear with a gun culture (due to the fear), and you have a recipe for disaster on both sides.

I do not understand the culture of fear in the US though. Other countries have gone through a lot worse then the US and you don't see that same culture in most of those other countries citizens. I understand things like how they gained independence, slavery, civil war, and terrorist attacks to each of the fear points above - but most other countries have experienced that, if not much worse then the US ever has.

You can put on the conspiracy hat and talk about a 1984 like methodology of artificial fear on the proletarian population to keep them under control but this culture of fear has been present for so many varying governments and times that this doesn't make sense either.

I don't get it. I understand what perpetuates this culture of fear right now as I watch American media but I don't understand the origin of it.

 

[oneils]

It's everywhere, not just America. Look at our own election. Our PM has successfully got about 60% of the population worried about two people who want to wear a niqab.

 

[Acerac]

Fear will keep the local systems in line.

*Edit*

Oh god Tarkin with a picture of The Pentagon is the first result for that quote in google images I'm so sorry.

 

[Ollie Pooch]

Not just America - the government here in Australia thrives on it, though it's improved since Abbott got shitcanned. Fear of foreigners who could be terrorists is a huge angle behind policy.

 

[Tabris]

It's everywhere, not just America. Look at our own election. Our PM has successfully got about 60% of the population worried about two people who want to wear a niqab.

Well it's 35% of our population (the ones who vote conservative), but yes, our citizens have a fear of terrorism. I think that has more to do with watching American media over the last decade then anything instilled.

You don't see the other points though in Canada - fear of government, fear of each other, fear of other races (outside the terrorism aspect that brings racism towards muslim) even close to as much as in America.

 

[Strictly]

The more you amass, the more you have to lose.

 

[oneils]

Well it's 35% of our population (the ones who vote conservative), but yes, our citizens have a fear of terrorism. I think that has more to do with watching American media over the last decade then anything instilled.

You don't see the other points though in Canada - fear of government, fear of each other, fear of other races (outside the terrorism aspect that brings racism towards muslim) even close to as much as in America.

35% support the conservatives, but about 60% support the banning of the niqab in citizenship ceremonies. And I don't agree with your last point , just look at the refugee debate.

 

[Bo Knows GAF]

I understand what perpetuates this culture of fear right now as I watch American media but I don't understand the origination of it.

But that's just it. You're watching too much American media. Most people go about their lives not giving two shit about an of the stuff you mention in your post. I don't say that to derail your point, but media is out for ratings and that's important to remember. They play on people's fears because it's their job, and they have to work at always making it sound like tomorrow is doomsday. Walk around in the shoes of the everyday American and you'll find none of this to be important to their lives.

 

[Gnome]

Where does it come from? I guess I never thought about it. My first instinct was to look at "God fearing" Christian ideals, could have something to do with it.

 

[kmag]

Fear is how right wing governments get people to vote against their own self interest

 

[Tabris]

35% support te conservatives, but about 60% support the banning of the niqab in citizenship ceremonies.

Well that is a different subject. I don't think fear encompasses that 60%. Some respect religion expression but think logically that full face profile is necessary for things such as identification.

 

[Hypron]

The cold war which was effectively half a century of fear mongering might have something todo wih it.

 

[SamastahSukhino]

When you turn on the news or pick up a paper all you see (mostly) are negative stories" terror level a light yellow hue, how to be safe this Labor Day, a kitten got eaten by a chipmunk."Fear sells and when it's forced down your throat 24:7 I can see where you're coming from. One day I'd like to turn on Fox News and see the headline be "cat saves chipmunk, the world is beautiful".

 

[jesu]

Isn't that the medias job?
Make you scared of things?

 

[oneils]

Well that is a different subject. I don't think fear encompasses that 60%. Some respect religion expression but think logically that full face profile is necessary for things such as identification.

But the identification was never at issue, because that is done in private. Neither woman refused to identify them self. So, many people don't really understand the issue. Why?

 

[Tabris]

But that's just it. You're watching too much American media. Most people go about their lives not giving two shit about an of the stuff you mention in your post.

I don't think that's the case.

Just being online and listening to Americans, you can get a sense of it. I rarely see anything from Europe outside of Anti-Muslim Xenophobia (which seems to be happening everywhere unfortunately).

I mean explain to me the gun culture in America being created out of anything except for a culture of fear?

 

[AHA-Lambda]

UK is exactly the same, and it's basically to get you to vote the way they want.

 

[Tabris]

But the identification was never at issue, because that is done in private. Neither woman refused to identify them self. So, many people don't really understand the issue. Why?

I hadn't been paying attention personally because it was a silly thing to focus on - I was more focused on party platforms, that's just what I heard from people that were paying attention to it.

Most people don't have a fear there, it's a mis-understanding of the issue as the issue was created / perpetuated by the conservative party to distracted voters from the more important platform items.

 

[Baron Doggystyle von Woof]

Netherlands is the same now with the PVV gaining more voters.

 

[Bo Knows GAF]

I don't think that's the case.

Just being online and listening to Americans, you can get a sense of it. I rarely see anything from Europe outside of Anti-Muslim Xenophobia (which seems to be happening everywhere unfortunately).

I mean explain to me the gun culture in America being created out of anything except for a culture of fear?

Because you're reading sensationalist stories. Gaf for example is literally on watch for these gun stories and posting them way before any final story is drawn up. You're seeing the worst, hearing the worst, and therfore assuming the worst. Believe me, as an American who has grown up in America, you're getting it wrong

 

[oneils]

I hadn't been paying attention personally because it was a silly thing to focus on - I was more focused on party platforms, that's just what I heard from people that were paying attention to it.

Most people don't have a fear there, it's a mis-understanding of the issue as the issue was created / perpetuated by the conservative party to distracted voters from the more important platform items.

You really think that? The conservatives are not stoking fears? Just an innocent misunderstanding?

 

[Azih]

24 hour news channels and their need for sensationalism to turn a profit. This is a modern phenomenon that affects every country.

For the US I would argue that the expansion phase of the States involved a lot of propaganda and induced fear of the native population to justify breaking treaties and other atrocities and then there was a long period of fear of the slave population (that arguably never ended). Those things are a bit unique.

Edit: Oh yeah the cold war as well. Hrm... Maybe there is something exceptional happening here. 24 hour news for profit is a horror show everywhere though.

 

[Firestorm]

Fear is an emotion that makes people very easy to manipulate. Politicians understand this.

 

[DiscoJer]

I mean explain to me the gun culture in America being created out of anything except for a culture of fear?

You are aware of the history of the US? It was largely a wild place. Americans had guns because they needed them. Up until the early 1900s and even after that, Americans still loved guns..

 

[Marauder Shields]

But that's just it. You're watching too much American media. Most people go about their lives not giving two shit about an of the stuff you mention in your post. I don't say that to derail your point, but media is out for ratings and that's important to remember. They play on people's fears because it's their job, and they have to work at always making it sound like tomorrow is doomsday. Walk around in the shoes of the everyday American and you'll find none of this to be important to their lives.

Because you're reading sensationalist stories. Gaf for example is literally on watch for these gun stories and posting them way before any final story is drawn up. You're seeing the worst, hearing the worst, and therfore assuming the worst. Believe me, as an American who has grown up in America, you're getting it wrong

Really good posts. Agree with both of them.

 

[Messypandas]

Unregulated medias

 

[teruterubozu]

Other countries have gone through a lot worse then the US and you don't see that same culture in most of those other countries citizens.

It has something to do with this. America is a young empire that grew very quickly. There is some nervousness about its durability in the face of history of empires.

 

[Tabris]

You are aware of the history of the US? It was largely a wild place. Americans had guns because they needed them. Up until the early 1900s and even after that, Americans still loved guns..

But so many other countries are like that. Canada was a wild place. Canada has guns. You don't see the same thing.

How about Australia which has very strict gun controls? It had the same situation, aboriginal tribes and a wild land.

 

[nukedawg]

Media: If it bleeds, it leads. Gotta sell those commercial slots.
I once worked at a local news station. Hurricane Floyd had hit and devestated a coastal town. A man was worried his elderly mother was hurt or killed in the storm, but finally made contact with her. Our newscrew was there to film him reuniting with her. Obviously it was a tearful moment. In the news studio, (off the air), all the anchors were cheering and hi-fiving because "we were going to crush the other news media in the ratings" & "this is going to draw HUGE numbers for us!!".

 

[MatrixMan.EXE]

UK is exactly the same, and it's basically to get you to vote the way they want.

I don't really think people fear the government here. It's more of a hate for Cameron's government than actual fearfulness. What I'm trying to say is, the culture of fear is nowhere near as bad as it is in the US.

You are aware of the history of the US? It was largely a wild place. Americans had guns because they needed them. Up until the early 1900s and even after that, Americans still loved guns..

Canada is was even wilder, and there is still a lot of the country that is untouched. They also have guns. That's a poor explanation.

 

[Tabris]

Because you're reading sensationalist stories. Gaf for example is literally on watch for these gun stories and posting them way before any final story is drawn up. You're seeing the worst, hearing the worst, and therfore assuming the worst. Believe me, as an American who has grown up in America, you're getting it wrong

 

[timetokill]

Watching American media will give you a very skewed perception. Americans (generally) aren't cowering in fear every day or anything.

That said, every government and media I can think of uses fear regularly to get you to buy what they want or vote the way they want.

"Fear" of the government and distrust of the government are nut the same thing.

 

[BreezyLimbo]

I stopped watching news stories because they're too negative. Now I read what I want to read.

Seriously tho, I imagine it's the same around the world. It's just that since GAF is American-centric there's an unbalance of news leaning towards the US here.

.]

Oh so you just wanted to make another gun thread? Ok then.

 

[Tabris]

Seriously tho, I imagine it's the same around the world. It's just that since GAF is American-centric there's an unbalance of news leaning towards the US here.

That would make sense if there wasn't also a huge imbalance in the statistics as well (above image example).

 

[BreezyLimbo]

That would make sense if there wasn't also a huge imbalance in the statistics as well (above image example).

And chances are I'll never see a gun used against other people in my life. If you wanted to make a gun thread, you should've just come out and said it, but America doesn't have a culture of fear more-so than other countries and well, your statistics don't really prove that it does.

 

[Tabris]

Oh so you just wanted to make another gun thread? Ok then.

Gun culture is a symptom of a culture of fear. And the issue is not only with the amount of guns though, but as the statistics above show, it's the amount of use of gun related violence not the just the amount (Finland for example has a lot of guns that are rarely used in conflicts).

Something is causing more Americans to use their firearms in conflicts then other modern nations. Wouldn't you assume that's fear? And if so, wouldn't that make Americans more fearful?

If you wanted to make a gun thread, you should've just come out and said it, but America doesn't have a culture of fear more-so than other countries and well, your statistics don't really prove that it does.

They are related. And I did say this if you read the OP:

I had made this post in one of the numerous police shooting / school shooting / racial shooting threads out there lately, and I thought it would make a good topic for discussion.

 

[Vigilant Walrus]

We're all like this. Here we have some of the best social support systems in the world. So what does fear do when you see "swarms" of humans coming in your direction. You get scared. So you close your borders and put your head in the sand. If we let these people in we can't afford anything.

People feel entitled. They already suffered through one recession, tons of cutbacks and no justice was given and nobody put in jail, and now they want us to share with all these people who speak a different language and believe this scary stuff? I rather not. < I think this is a basic mentality of how many right-wing governments are popping up. There is a steady correlation between people becoming more conservative in hard economic times.

You have more to loose, you have less to give and so you become more cynical jaded on the defensive. "goodness can only be expected from the strong" is a true statement. Weak and timid people don't have the endurance or the resources to help others in this magnitude.



"slippery slope" fear is another one. See the extinguishment of the white race. these old people literally think that foreigners are going to take them over and ruin their socities. impose sharia law everywhere. Shallow frame of reference makes the mind go wild and then you reach outlandish conclusions. Probably because your only reference is negativity.

 

[jetsetrez]

Creatures are afraid of the unfamiliar. It's not unique to America. It's not even unique to people. And you're vastly oversimplifying, over-generalizing, and over-dramaticizing America's "fears."

 

[Maklershed]

I beg all non-American's to quit getting your opinions of the US from Fox News.

 

[SolarPowered]

Americans have the most to give/lose. Can you think of another nationality that has as much power, information, money and influence to lose as Americans? You bet your sweet ass the media, politicians and big business are going to capitalize on that.

 

[teruterubozu]

Certainly fear of the government is not uniquely American. Plenty of citizens around the world fear their governments.

 

[BreezyLimbo]

Gun culture is a symptom of a culture of fear. And the issue is not only with the amount of guns though, but as the statistics above show, it's the amount of use of gun related violence not the just the amount (Finland for example has a lot of guns that are rarely used in conflicts).

Something is causing more Americans to use their firearms in conflicts then other modern nations. Wouldn't you assume that's fear? And if so, wouldn't that make Americans more fearful?

Likewise, why are you assuming it's fear? Just because you post gun statistics isn't really proof that there's a culture of fear going on. You can't really gauge that and like I said, if you wanted to make a gun thread you should've just done so instead of fronting it as something shaky like accusing America of having a culture of fear with no real evidence pertaining to that.

They are related. And I did say this if you read the OP:

Sure alot of things are related to fear, but being related does not make. In this case, tensions between races are just that, it will exist with or without guns.

 

[Zombine]

A lot of this is all thanks to 9/11. Prior to this it was all about drugs, AIDS, evil rock music, and the Cold War.

 

[nukedawg]

I beg all non-American's to quit getting your opinions of the US from Fox News.

Or Gaf.

 

[jerry1594]

Because when one group starts fearing something they start expressing their fears in ways that make other groups fearful.

 

[AHA-Lambda]

I don't really think people fear the government here. It's more of a hate for Cameron's government than actual fearfulness. What I'm trying to say is, the culture of fear is nowhere near as bad as it is in the US.

I didn't really mean fear of government itself so much as the government and media plays a huge role in getting us to fear "the other". Immigrants, the poor, Muslims etc.

Whether or not it's as bad as the US, I can't say but yeah I doubt. We don't have guns which surely helps that.

 

[Corleth the Fey]

Look at this -

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_of_Nightmares

Now watch it -

https://archive.org/details/ThePowerOfNightmares-Episode1BabyItsColdOutside

 

[lazygecko]

You see a lot of talk about wanting to "protect my family" from some criminal boogeyman. I don't know if that's more based on fear or rather just some naive power fantasy.

 

[Tabris]

Sure alot of things are related to fear, but being related does not make. In this case, tensions between races are just that, it will exist with or without guns.

Racism is a culture of fear. Fear of another group based on the colour of their skin or their ethnicity. What other factors do you tie to gun violence? Because I feel confident I can tie most of them back to a culture of fear.

And before you speak to the US' diversity being the source - other countries like Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia have an ethnicity mix in their major cities similar to the US, if not greater.

 

[PillarEN]

I'd say if you watch your countries own popular news broadcasts and analyzed it, it too would have fear play a large factor.
I found it fascinating how an old teacher of mine was living in an apartment with an elderly lady roommate. She rarely got out and watched the news all the time. She would tell him not to go to Wencelav Square because it's too dangerous.
The truth is that Wenceslav Square is about as dangerous as tripping on the sidewalk and breaking your leg. So fear is common for mainstream news broadcasts.