Shouldn't things be even more ****ed up?

~~MicShazam~~ · 09-15-2017, 08:51 AM

I neither think things are bad enough, neither do I think people are unhinged enough to go postal. Most people see some things to hold on to, even if their job is ****. I'm not enough of a cynic to believe that even 1% would even want to go postal if they could.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofle

Life just ain't that bad.

Exactly. Sure, it sucks. But it also kind of doesn't. It's a matter of perspective, except for people in extremely bad situations. If you don't live in Syria, don't have terminal cancer, can somewhat depend on roof over your head... things like that. You should probably stop feeling so sorry for yourself (a general "you", not you).

**Frownland** · 09-15-2017, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

^ That is pretty repulsive, but it makes a sadly accurate point!

Lol I posted that because it's a part of the genre where Bradbury-brand technophobes put across really basic social commentary in really cringy ways and present them as deeper than anything Plato could surmise.

Quote:

- and where has the expression "going postal" come from? Never heard that before.

There was a trend of postal workers shooting up their workplaces that led to that term

Quote:

The expression derives from a series of incidents from 1986 onward in which United States Postal Service (USPS) workers shot and killed managers, fellow workers, and members of the police or general public in acts of mass murder. Between 1970 and 1997, more than 40 people were killed by current or former employees in at least 20 incidents of workplace rage.

Lisnaholic · 09-15-2017, 09:32 AM

^ Thanks as always for the explanation, Frownland.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

Lol I posted that because it's a part of the genre where Bradbury-brand technophobes put across really basic social commentary in really cringy ways and present them as deeper than anything Plato could surmise.

^ That one's even better - a really good satirical cartoon. I love the detail of the cheese in his briefcase

Regarding the point made by Goofle and MicShazam: I agree, for most of us, life is sufficiently rich that we would be absolute fools to throw it away. That's why the old coroners' verdicts on suicide deaths used to include the phrase, "... while the balance of his mind was disturbed."

Trollheart · 09-15-2017, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

^ That is pretty repulsive, but it makes a sadly accurate point!
__________________________________________________ ____

Regarding the OP question, let's not forget that (despite the Japanese statistic) a very powerful instinct for self-preservation is hardwired into all of us. Luckily, not many people reach a point at which they are prepared to override that - and even fewer commit themselves in advance to doing it as publicly as happens in those Colombine-style outrages.

If a Japanese guy goes into the woods with a plan to kill himself, he can always change his mind at the last minute, sneak back home and nobody need know. That change of heart is more humiliating if you are prowling the corridors of a school, armed to the teeth, with scores of witnesses.

I don't know if it's still the case, but committing suicide (seppuku) used to be a real sign of honour in Japan. Like, if you dishonoured yourself (and therefore your family and your ancestors) you were expected to commit seppuku, and conversely, giving your life for the emperor was considered the very highest honour, which is where all those volunteers came to fly the Kamikaze missions in the Pacific in WWII.

So all that taken into account, if it's still seen that way, the ratio of Japanese suicides compared to other countries does not surprise me.

Quote:

- and where has the expression "going postal" come from? Never heard that before.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going_postal

Zhanteimi · 09-16-2017, 03:19 AM

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OccultHawk · 09-17-2017, 02:49 AM

You know what I didn't realize I was asking is why aren't we in full fledged class warfare.

Zhanteimi · 09-17-2017, 02:53 AM

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djchameleon · 09-17-2017, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

You know what I didn't realize I was asking is why aren't we in full fledged class warfare.

We aren't because as bad as conditions are, they arent bad enough. I can't wait til the poor get to their breaking point and decide they are fed up. So they take their fight to the wealthy and revolt. Basically what happened in Dark Knight Rises.

Zhanteimi · 09-17-2017, 03:35 AM

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Lisnaholic · 09-17-2017, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elphenor

I often consider all the unfortunate diseases and accidents one can suffer and statistics like "this will happen to 1/50 people" and then wonder how I can consistently not be one of those people, perhaps very narrowly escaping early demises everyday

it seems extraordinary to just exist as a healthy person

^ That's a good attitude, elphenor! It reminds me of a retired guy who used to be my neighbour; when I asked him how he was, he used to say, "It's another day and I'm alive, so it's great." And it's a fact that to just keep going is the greatest achievement of many of us. I sometimes think, in a rather callous way, "I'm not a great musician, but ha! at least I've outlived Hendrix, Nick Drake, Amy Winehouse, etc, etc. On one scale of measurement, I'm more successful than them."
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For the people hoping for social revolt, I'd say be careful what you wish for. Sure, there are plenty of ills and injustices in society, but historically, full-on revolutions are usually periods of bloodshed and anarchy; looting, rape and the violent paying-off of grudges, between racial groups and also the neighbour who always has his tv on too loud. After which there's no guarantee that it won't be a case of "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.." So I guess my preference is for social change through the democratic process.

09-16-2017, 03:19 AM	#25 (permalink)
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09-17-2017, 03:35 AM	#29 (permalink)
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