Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Why We're Living in the Age of Fear

rollingstone.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

61–70 of 203 posts

Re: Why We're Living in the Age of Fear

#61

Post by mcv »

dbingham wrote: post #35

I think some of the fear is justified. Climate change is a very real threat and it's justifiably scary. Our government, in the last 8 years, used remotely operated drones to carry out extrajudicial killings of American citizens -- including a teenage boy. Our security state now engages in mass surveillance of us in a time when our government is engaging in extraordinary rendition of suspected "terrorists" in secret w…

There's plenty of reason for concern, but actual fear doesn't help you make rational decisions. We need a rational response to complex issues, not an emotional one. Fear is a bad advisor.

Re: Why We're Living in the Age of Fear

#62

Post by wu-ikkyu »

>Bad news gives people a great survivor emotion. There's a great euphoria that pours off the bad news item... This survivor emotion is very necessary for news papers and news reports, also it helps to sell advertising which is all good news and is therefore very threatening. Good news threatens people with change. Bad news merely enables them to enjoy the grief of their neighbours.

-Marshall McLuhan

Re: Why We're Living in the Age of Fear

#63

Post by tossaway1 »

jacquesm wrote: post #55
dbingham wrote: post #35

I think some of the fear is justified. Climate change is a very real threat and it's justifiably scary. Our government, in the last 8 years, used remotely operated drones to carry out extrajudicial killings of American citizens -- including a teenage boy. Our security state now engages in mass surveillance of us in a time when our government is engaging in extraordinary rendition of suspected "terrorists" in secret w…

> Our government, in the last 8 years, used remotely operated drones to carry out extrajudicial killings of American citizens -- including a teenage boy. Not my government, but still I can't help but wonder why it should matter that they are American citizens. A very large multiple of citizens of other countries is murdered in this way and from where I'm sitting I don't see much difference between the two.

One reason it matters is because our Constitution explicitly grants citizens (not foreigners) certain rights. Our government is not allowed to violate those rights and if they do, they can technically be held accountable. The government can do shady things to outsiders within the constraints of the Constitution.

As long as our government is honoring the Constitution, we have some hope of fixing its problems/flaws. If they decide they don't need to honor the Constitution, we have little hope of doing so...

Re: Why We're Living in the Age of Fear

#64

Post by j2bax »

jacquesm wrote: post #55
dbingham wrote: post #35

I think some of the fear is justified. Climate change is a very real threat and it's justifiably scary. Our government, in the last 8 years, used remotely operated drones to carry out extrajudicial killings of American citizens -- including a teenage boy. Our security state now engages in mass surveillance of us in a time when our government is engaging in extraordinary rendition of suspected "terrorists" in secret w…

> Our government, in the last 8 years, used remotely operated drones to carry out extrajudicial killings of American citizens -- including a teenage boy. Not my government, but still I can't help but wonder why it should matter that they are American citizens. A very large multiple of citizens of other countries is murdered in this way and from where I'm sitting I don't see much difference between the two.

Because there is a difference between an act of war against another nation and a domestic police operation.

Re: Why We're Living in the Age of Fear

#65

Post by roymurdock »

As a 23 year old I can only imagine what it was like to live through the cold war with the colossal fear of nuclear annihilation soaking into every activity/decision.

I feel like it must have been so overwhelming yet intangible - in some ways a nuclear holocaust is much less painful than losing a loved one in a car accident or seeing your country splinter into violent factions. A nuclear holocaust is a quick, binary event - either it happens, or it doesn't.

I also can't imagine what the fear of being drafted into a WWII or Vietnam War situation would feel like.

Would love to hear what anyone with experience has to say about those "ages" of fear relative to this new one of mass-media/technology-produced fear.

Re: Why We're Living in the Age of Fear

#66

Post by zer0gravity »

dbingham wrote: post #35

I think some of the fear is justified. Climate change is a very real threat and it's justifiably scary. Our government, in the last 8 years, used remotely operated drones to carry out extrajudicial killings of American citizens -- including a teenage boy. Our security state now engages in mass surveillance of us in a time when our government is engaging in extraordinary rendition of suspected "terrorists" in secret w…

People have locks to their house doors but they don't have locks to their minds. Any burglar can come in and plant, not steal ideas, and then people think, hey.. this is my idea, it's in my mind.

Critical thinking, this is the antidote. Protect your mind with critical thinking, and don't let any idea enter unscrutinized. It's better to dismiss it then let it enter unscrutinized. But don't dismiss everything, or you'll develop confirmation bias. Put in the effort to reflect on/research some of them..

Re: Why We're Living in the Age of Fear

#67

Post by SandersAK »

roymurdock wrote: post #65

As a 23 year old I can only imagine what it was like to live through the cold war with the colossal fear of nuclear annihilation soaking into every activity/decision. I feel like it must have been so overwhelming yet intangible - in some ways a nuclear holocaust is much less painful than losing a loved one in a car accident or seeing your country splinter into violent factions. A nuclear holocaust is a quick, binary…

There's nothing binary about a nuclear attack. Ask any survivor or family member of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Re: Why We're Living in the Age of Fear

#68

Post by [deleted] »

roymurdock wrote: post #65

As a 23 year old I can only imagine what it was like to live through the cold war with the colossal fear of nuclear annihilation soaking into every activity/decision. I feel like it must have been so overwhelming yet intangible - in some ways a nuclear holocaust is much less painful than losing a loved one in a car accident or seeing your country splinter into violent factions. A nuclear holocaust is a quick, binary…

[deleted]

Re: Why We're Living in the Age of Fear

#69

Post by quantumhobbit »

jontayesp wrote: post #43
cholantesh wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't this mostly a Protestant idea? Most all Catholic/EO christians that I know dismiss 'end times' theology.

Yes I should clarify not all denominations believe this, but it is the most dominant view within Protestant circles (see Left Behind, etc).

I wouldn't consider it the dominant Protestant view at all. Maybe amongst Evangelicals ( a subset of Protestants). Even amongst Evangelicals I doubt such literal Millinialist views as expressed in Left Behind are the overwhelmingly majority.

Re: Why We're Living in the Age of Fear

#70

Post by digi_owl »

tossaway1 wrote: post #63
jacquesm wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Our government, in the last 8 years, used remotely operated drones to carry out extrajudicial killings of American citizens -- including a teenage boy. Not my government, but still I can't help but wonder why it should matter that they are American citizens. A very large multiple of citizens of other countries is murdered in this way and from where I'm sitting I don't see much difference between the two.

One reason it matters is because our Constitution explicitly grants citizens (not foreigners) certain rights. Our government is not allowed to violate those rights and if they do, they can technically be held accountable. The government can do shady things to outsiders within the constraints of the Constitution. As long as our government is honoring the Constitution, we have some hope of fixing its problems/flaws. If…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anwar_al-Awlaki
Post reply on HN