Crime rates have dropped dramatically for 20+ years, yet americans still think it's increasing.
We think the drug problem is the greatest danger to youth, despite the fact teenage drug use has dropped by over 2/3's in the last 20 years.
Cell phones are giving us cancer, organic foods are better for us, identity theft is a real problem, breast implants are leaking, avian flu is going to wipe us out, video games are turning our kids into killers, schools aren't safe, MySpace is full of sexual predators, flu shots make us sick, sun exposure causes skin cancer, hackers want to break into our computers, etc... ad nauseam.
Who is to blame for this? Education for not teaching us the basic skills of baloney checking? The Media for over sensationalizing issues that aren't important? Or is it our fault for refusing to use our brains and find the facts, instead preferring to zombie out in front of the tv (or on YA) watching/doing things that we feel comfortable with?
2007-02-19 05:24:09 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Excellent.
The media plays a huge part, especially in the States where media coverage is so sensationalized. The American media creates news as much as it serves to report it.
And government, the Republican government in particular, has for decades used fear tactics to divide people and to create support for their issues.
Some of our fears are legitimate, and ironically many of those concerns are downplayed in society...global warming, the bird flu... those are actual threats that need to be responded to. But many people wave them off as inconsequential... while they fret about the surreal, like "Iraqi terrorists".
Pretty incredible isn't it? And I think this fact testifies to that age old adage; people believe what they want to believe. Apparently with very little regard for the facts, or for the truth.
2007-02-19 05:37:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some of the fear is justified. Cancer is very real, just ask anyone that has it.
And some of the unjustified fear is brought about by the Media...looking to scare people for ratings.
Don't forget about the gov't....they regulary scare people in the name of security. That's how they can pass all these rediculous laws and get away with it.
2007-02-19 05:30:34 · answer #2 · answered by Villain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope you are a chick because a dude with this name is wrong.
It is the fault of the media for making us paranoid.
They report what they want to sell their story and then it's on to whatever sells the next day. They don't have to prove anything.
2007-02-19 05:34:09 · answer #3 · answered by DON'T BURN ME 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Media #1 culprit!
2007-02-19 05:28:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is nothing to be afraid of. but ... it is very hard to stop idiots from pushing their fears on you. and sadly there are alot of idiots, they are called bush supporters. they are repuplicans and democrats who blame game over non issues.
2007-02-19 05:37:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋