51 replies to this topic

[Bronn]

i don't think DC is even in the top 5 in population density...

unless you're counting it as a state...

Not sure I follow... I think as an "area" it is more dense than anywhere in the country... This also begs the question of if it was included in the study, since (again, last I heard) it was one of the most violent places in the country but not a "state"...

[BBQ&Beer]

they don't worship violence.

What do you mean by "worship violence"? Because we can start with several martial arts closely tied to (if not based in) religion, & end in a video game phenomenon in which the goal is to enslave innocent creatures & force them to fight... somewhere in the middle there is tentacle rape.

[Bronn]

they don't worship violence.

This is a great point.

Personally, I think American culture desensitizes people to a point where they disregard the consequences of their actions in a lot of troublesome situations.

Couple that with the social inequality that pushes people toward crime, and you have a recipe for higher rates of unsavory things.

[Hawk]

personally I think the north American culture is to not give two shits about your neighbor and just take care of yourself...and if that includes killing your neighbor, then so be it!

[Panthro]

personally I think the north American culture is to not give two shits about your neighbor and just take care of yourself...

I concur....look at how madhatter just came in here and called me an idiot.

he is what is wrong with america.

[mmmbeans]

What do you mean by "worship violence"? Because we can start with several martial arts closely tied to (if not based in) religion, & end in a video game phenomenon in which the goal is to enslave innocent creatures & force them to fight... somewhere in the middle there is tentacle rape.

eastern martial arts are first and foremost based in discipline, and tempered with spirituality.

Culturally, violence is our preferred way of problem solving, and is almost synonymous with our concept of masculinity. That, i think is the crux of the problem. When you combine this misinterpretation of masculinity with narcissism disguised as individuality and a general lack of respect for the people you live around (both personal and institutional,) and then add guns... well... there you go. That's not to say that it doesn't exist in other places, it certainly does... but Americans love the idea that they're tough, don't give a f*ck and will fight over anything. The fact that this has never been less true than it is now only makes it more insidious. We bought into our own myth, and it's f*cking us up.

[mmmbeans]

Not sure I follow... I think as an "area" it is more dense than anywhere in the country... This also begs the question of if it was included in the study, since (again, last I heard) it was one of the most violent places in the country but not a "state"...

NYC and los angeles are both more dense than DC... I know that off the top of my head... I would think Miami and Boston are as well but I don't know. I can't speak to the violence, other than that I know that DC has some very bad areas.

[PhillyB]

just to throw it out there, the republic of kiribati has no guns on the islands outside of what's carried by a very small military; police only carry batons, and they have one of the highest population densities in the world.

there is currently one guy in jail for murder.

[Hawk]

American tourist?!!!!! I kid, I kid

[BBQ&Beer]

eastern martial arts are first and foremost based in discipline, and tempered with spirituality.

Culturally, violence is our preferred way of problem solving, and is almost synonymous with our concept of masculinity. That, i think is the crux of the problem. When you combine this misinterpretation of masculinity with narcissism disguised as individuality and a general lack of respect for the people you live around (both personal and institutional,) and then add guns... well... there you go. That's not to say that it doesn't exist in other places, it certainly does... but Americans love the idea that they're tough, don't give a f*ck and will fight over anything. The fact that this has never been less true than it is now only makes it more insidious. We bought into our own myth, and it's f*cking us up.

Ah I see. I tend to attribute that attitude more toward immaturity (the slightest insult is worth fighting over) than worshipping violence but fair cop.

[cookinwithgas]

People all over the world play video games and watch movies somewhere near the same rate as we do (some a little more, some a little less).

What they don't have is the same easy access to massive amounts of guns and ammo we do.

It's insanely simple.

[teeray]

I wish someone could rectify the pro gun argument that the US has a disproportionate amount of mentally unhealthy people, with a desensitization to violence; therefore the only responsible thing to do is give this mentally unhealthy and desensitized society more guns and easier access to guns.

[pstall]

blame somebody else. blame something else. blame the past.blame this. blame that. yeah its the new America.

[Panthro]

If I got shot I would pry blame the person that shot me.

[Mr. Belding]

It would be the gun's fault