Violence in the U.S.

[gnome]

The question was left inconclusively answered...

Why do we have so much more violence in the U.S. than most other 1st world countries?

I believe he did answer it... the message I took from the movie was that America's sensationalist media generates a culture of fear.

This was a powerful observation, and I wish he'd ended the movie once he established it, instead of spending the rest of it attacking Charlton Heston... it was anti-climactic and muddled the better parts of the movie.

 

[AWPrime]

I believe that is a common misconception. The opposite example being Japan who, if you've ever watched Japanimation, has a MUCH higher level of socially acceptable violence than we do.

That is a misinterpetation.


In Japan its not socially acceptable to act out the violence, only view/think it.

 

[The Don]

"If you are correct in that it might be our combination of history, attitude, our diversity, gun ownership, etc. has hit the magic formula for 1st world violence to flourish, then what can we do as a people to improve the situation? [/B]

Absolutely nothing active. If it is truly a combination of tangible (gun ownership, economic disparity) and cultural (history, attitude) factors then some of these need to change. For example passing legislation to prohibit gun ownership would, like as not, fail because a number of people would refuse to give up their guns or would be happy to own illegal guns.

I think that you just have to wait until enough people are sick of the situation to change the way that they behave. This may of course never happen and the U.S. may always have a relatively high level of violent crime (in the same way that the U.K. seems destined always to have a high level of drink related violent disorder).

 

[TragicMonkey]

We're over-civilized. Our instincts include the urge to violence, but there are few acceptable outlets for it in the modern era. Those who can control themselves either suppress it and become passive-aggressive, or take it out in video games or sports. Those who cannot curb their desire for violence become professional boxers or commit violent crimes (or both). Road rage, domestic assault, animal abuse, even the popularity of "extreme sports" (which seem designed to obtain self-violence) are all manifestation of the same thing: that inherited monkey rage passed down for millions of years.

Civilization requires us to curb and control those instincts that would threaten civilization. But it's not easy, and it's getting harder. I'm only surprised there isn't a great deal more violence.

 

[H'ethetheth]

We're over-civilized. Our instincts include the urge to violence, but there are few acceptable outlets for it in the modern era. Those who can control themselves either suppress it and become passive-aggressive, or take it out in video games or sports. Those who cannot curb their desire for violence become professional boxers or commit violent crimes (or both). Road rage, domestic assault, animal abuse, even the popularity of "extreme sports" (which seem designed to obtain self-violence) are all manifestation of the same thing: that inherited monkey rage passed down for millions of years.

Civilization requires us to curb and control those instincts that would threaten civilization. But it's not easy, and it's getting harder. I'm only surprised there isn't a great deal more violence.

Perhaps, but this does not explain the difference between the US and other 1st world countries.

 

[TragicMonkey]

Perhaps, but this does not explain the difference between the US and other 1st world countries.

Well, the US develops the cultural trend first, then exports it. Enjoy!

 

[AWPrime]

I would not call the US overcivilized. Just a few moments of viewing Fox has proven that to me.

 

[TragicMonkey]

I would not call the US overcivilized. Just a few moments of viewing Fox has proven that to me.

Oh! You must have seen the "Married in America" that's costing Fox 1.2 million in FCC fines. I agree, it sounded dreadful. Why the heck would they show a guy in his underwear being spanked by two female strippers, on prime time television when children are watching?

There's simply no point in a public spanking if you're going to leave the underwear on.


(edited for correction: apparently the spankee wasn't a stripper himself, but instead a lucky guest.)

 

[The GM]

"If you are correct in that it might be our combination of history, attitude, our diversity, gun ownership, etc. has hit the magic formula for 1st world violence to flourish, then what can we do as a people to improve the situation?

Well, I think you know the simple answer...start at home. Display and teach those around you about the type of respect for human life that you've come to develop. Champion causes that support that view. Get others around you involved. Mow your own backyard first before you attempt to landscape everyone else's. Maybe I oversimplify the 'cure', but ya gotta start somewhere.

 

[crimresearch]

One of the main themes of Bowling for Columbine was the amount of violence in the U.S. compared with other developed countries. Some of the popular beliefs were debunked by M. Moore. <SNIP>
The question was left inconclusively answered...
Why do we have so much more violence in the U.S. than most other 1st world countries?

Some of the reasons given above, no doubt contribute to the end result, but there is no magic causal connection, and more certainly, nothing that seems likely to directly and easily reduce violence..it is another rung bell.

Some other factors to consider...Otnow-Lewis' research on closed head injuries...the thin line between socially encouraged risk taking behavior, and violent outcomes....trends in education and childhood environments that promote what some are calling 'partial psychopathy'.

 

[TragicMonkey]

Maybe it's just due to population size and density, and the resulting competition for space and resources. Yes, I know there are bigger and denser populations like India and China...but Americans still expect plenty of space and resources as entitlements, and resent not getting it.

 

[H'ethetheth]

Well, the US develops the cultural trend first, then exports it. Enjoy!

Touché.

 

[AWPrime]

To add to my old point:

I think that the 'I want and therefore I get' is stronger in US culture.

 

[TragicMonkey]

To add to my old point:

I think that the 'I want and therefore I get' is stronger in US culture.

It's more like "Gimme! Gimme! I wanna! Wah! Wah! Wah!"

Makes you feel comfy, that we have all these nukes and stuff with that attitude, eh? Lol.

 

[shecky]

To add to my old point:

I think that the 'I want and therefore I get' is stronger in US culture.

I think you may be onto something here.

Perhaps when the concept of inherited status was cast aside and replaced with the notion that status could be bought/earned, paving the way for the American mythos of "rugged individualism", ambition and even manifest destiny, can reinforce itself to rather extreme ends. The democracy rejected even divinely ordained monarchs in favor of self governing by men. Perhaps the "trickle down" notion of self reliance and self governance can lead to justification of more extreme measures in exercising these ideas on a personal level?


All spoken out of my a$$, no doubt.

 

[Gulliamo]

In Japan its not socially acceptable to act out the violence, only view/think it.

Then how does one explain the number of martial arts tournaments in Japan?

 

[Gulliamo]

We're over-civilized. Our instincts include the urge to violence, but there are few acceptable outlets for it in the modern era. Those who can control themselves either suppress it and become passive-aggressive, or take it out in video games or sports. Those who cannot curb their desire for violence become professional boxers or commit violent crimes (or both). Road rage, domestic assault, animal abuse, even the popularity of "extreme sports" (which seem designed to obtain self-violence) are all manifestation of the same thing: that inherited monkey rage passed down for millions of years.

Civilization requires us to curb and control those instincts that would threaten civilization. But it's not easy, and it's getting harder. I'm only surprised there isn't a great deal more violence.

I believe it is ok to enjoy competition or even to indulge in an occasional bout of fisticuffs. But how do we, as a society, keep that from escalating into a murder rate? Or, are the two intrinsically tied? If I watch Rocky and getting the urge to box with my brother does this automatically translate into a propensity for violence?

 

[Gulliamo]

Re: Re: Violence in the U.S.

I believe he did answer it... the message I took from the movie was that America's sensationalist media generates a culture of fear.

Is it as simple as that? I think our murder rate demonstrates that we have something to legitimately fear. Does that mean we should run out and buy guns to protect us? Probably not. But will a simple change in media propaganda reduce our overall propensity for violence?

 

[TragicMonkey]

I believe it is ok to enjoy competition or even to indulge in an occasional bout of fisticuffs. But how do we, as a society, keep that from escalating into a murder rate? Or, are the two intrinsically tied? If I watch Rocky and getting the urge to box with my brother does this automatically translate into a propensity for violence?

I think we've all already got a propensity for violence; outside stimuli may encourage it to come out, but doesn't create it. My own opinion is that we need outlets for the natural urge to violence. The problem is that many of what I see as outlets, such as violent video games, are considered encouragment to violence by others. So they try to get rid of the outlets, which I see is equivalent to eliminating steam by stopping up the kettle which is still on the boil.

We can suppress and redirect only so much of our violent tendencies into sharply-worded debate in online messageboards. Sooner or later everyone needs to smack something. I'd rather someone run over pixel people in "Vice City" than run over real ones in my home town.

 

[punchdrunk]

If you are correct in that it might be our combination of history, attitude, our diversity, gun ownership, etc. has hit the magic formula for 1st world violence to flourish, then what can we do as a people to improve the situation?

It Takes A Village