2 U.S. College Shootings in 2 Weeks

[QUOTE] [b]magicalfreddiemercury wrote:[/b]

[QUOTE] [b]thomasquinn 32989 wrote:[/b]

People cling to essentially meaningless rituals and customs as a way to deal with anxiety regarding the constant change that is an essential characteristic of the world since the Industrial Revolution. [/QUOTE]

TQ, this was an excellent post and your examples and points, IMO, are spot on. I would add US Christmas vs. holiday celebrations (and labels) as one of the traditions that cause a violent reaction of protectionism in people. Those who see a “war on Christmas” fail to see how the traditional form of marketing and celebration of the holiday excluded those who didn’t/don’t celebrate the same. Any acknowledgement of someone else’s celebration is now seen as a threat. Beyond that, attention to the racist name of a sports team is met with irrational fury; any adjustment to the form-fitted version of Columbus, as hero, discovering America, is seen as an attempt to change history when, in fact, it’s meant to expose it for what it truly was. The times of old are cherished, as you said, because they’re familiar. The negatives are sifted through memories or… I would suggest… were, at the time, spun so well, in a brainwashing way, that they are seen as pure, while the more inclusive and aware positions of today are seen as prejudice and threatening. It’s reverse persecution. Sadly, I’d also suggest that attempts to clarify the situation (ex. muskets vs. AK47s) only strengthen the knee-jerk reaction to protect the past or perceptions thereof.
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Yes, I'd say you're spot on. This is not something that only happens occasionally, the 'knee-jerk reaction' and the desperate clinging to old certainties is something universal. To add to your further examples, I think the completely imaginary "War on Christianity" that evangelicals are going on about is also part of the same issue.

Your point about contemporary spinning being a factor as well as nostalgia is very interesting. This was also a significant, and well-studied, effect observed when strides towards universal sufferage were made in the late 19th century: the poor tended to vote conservative, demonstrably against their own interests, because they were (made) so fearful of the present and future that they would prefer "the devil they knew over the devil they didn't know", i.e. Disraeli's betrayal over a Liberal/Labour uncertain future.

[QUOTE] [b]Voice of Reason 2014 wrote:[/b]

I don't know what an academic counsellor is (please excuse my European spelling) and you didn't actually invite any responses.

Is it a cultural thing? I don't know the gun law in my country. I have never thought about owing a gun.

I have held one one (in the United States). It was not loaded. I have never fired a gun.

Why does a topic on guns in the United States elicit responses on Queenzone while a topic wishing everyone a happy Bohemian Rhapsody anniversary elicits none?

Please discuss...
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I work with college and university students when it comes to graduating and receiving their degree. I outline their requirements as well as help students return to the university.

To answer you questions from the other topic, I would probably like to live in Europe, Scandinavia to be more precise. I don't know if I would be able to survive the winter, however, hahaha.

Well, something positive that we, here in Los Angeles, are looking forward to is that there is a high probability that we will get a lot of rain this season. It is November and was about 90 degrees Fahrenheit this past weekend...