What I'm trying to find out is if I am just more aware of what is going on across America and around the world, or if things have always been happening at breakneck speed and I just never paid attention.
I've always been inclined to think that 50 - 100 years ago, "things" were not this bad, but then again,information didn't travel as fast either. I'm interested in what other people think about this. Is our world truly getting worse minute by minute?
2007-08-14 15:31:53 · 7 answers · asked by mashinko 2 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
This is an excellent question (which isn't often on this website).
And you have an excellent hypothesis.
Firstly, let me start out by saying that you are correct in your assumption that the speed information travels is one of the main reasons as to why society runs at such a high speed. Patience has gone out the window because you can have anything and everything so quickly that there is no reason to wait. Why should you wait for the newspaper to find out when your favorite show is on? tvguide.com -- instant.
Secondly, politics have become increasingly brutal. With each passing day, the public grows restless with the so called "incompetence" with the government. Because of this, they are under extreme pressure and stress. This clouds judgment, and things happen that aren't supposed to happen.
In addition, the fact is that there are far more people today than there were 100 years ago. Population has skyrocketed with the evolution of medicine and longevity of life. Overpopulation means more deaths, more murders, higher crime rates, higher poverty levels and (obviously) higher population density, which has been linked to poorer health and sanitation, higher disease rate and a decrease in overall morale.
The theory can be made that the combination of these is the main factor for the higher violence, terrorism and number of wars. I tend to agree -- it all fits.
Excellent question, again.
2007-08-14 15:39:23 · answer #1 · answered by sf_omega 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In a way, events like you mention are becoming more frequent than 50-100 years ago, simply because of the overwhelming crush of steadily increasing population. More people=more everything bad, less anything good. But the main reason it all seems more frequent is because you can now access news from all over the world by clicking the remote or the mouse. I suspect horrible events have taken place all over the world at a proportionally consistent ratio throughout all time.
2007-08-14 22:43:32 · answer #2 · answered by claudiacake 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have to believe that people who lived through the Dark Ages -- with its plagues, wars, etc. -- thought that tragic events were occuring more frequently than before. Those who lived on the front lines during the American Civil War, World War I and World War II probably believed the same thing. Its all a matter of perspective, combined with the increasing number of news outlets broadcasting such events.
2007-08-14 23:14:44 · answer #3 · answered by oldironclub 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's just a bunch of hype because News Stations want good ratings. I mean who wants to watcha news report like this: (DEEP MONOTNE VOICE)"Well the world is at peace. Everyone likes everyone. The Sun is out and Birds are Chirping. Lindsay Lohan is Sober and boring now. Paris Hilton is still celibate. (YAWN) Yep...So...Ahem...That's...uhhhh...I guess that's all for now." (Camera Stays on for several minutes longer...) I'd much rather watch reruns of Steve Urkel than that boring news cast.
2007-08-14 23:35:48 · answer #4 · answered by fern45 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's always been like this, but unlike the 60's...the people are too goddamn lazy to get off their asses and spread the message of peace!
2007-08-14 22:38:18 · answer #5 · answered by Amanda Overmeyer-Janis of today! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It just seems that way, mainly because of media, and also because of population, there are many more people for this stuff to happen to.
2007-08-14 22:35:45 · answer #6 · answered by lvi56111000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The media is reporting more, this has been going on for years.
2007-08-14 22:37:08 · answer #7 · answered by Greg 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋