Security of the first world

[immortalmack]

I've noticed the importance that security plays in todays world.

Is it the growing up of the security industry in the sense of recognizing
how to stay alive and thrive in today's new economy?

Or is security being used as a tool of control and domination?

[panda]

Sensationalism, like sex, sells.

We tend to value life more highly than did our ancestors. That, plus increased mean lifespan is part of the recipe for fear. Yes, it's used consciously for control, but it's also an unconscious byproduct of our modern, media-driven societies.

[Ferrus]

Sensationalism, like sex, sells.
But then again, sensational things do happen.

[panda]

But then again, sensational things do happen.
But at lower frequencies than our anxieties convince us.

[C.J.Woolf]

But at lower frequencies than our anxieties convince us.
Exactly. Thanks to the 24/7 news media, rare but spectacular misfortunes anywhere in the world get lots of play, while common misfortunes get little or no play except as dry statistics. Thus we have billions (soon to be trillions) spent on the "war on terror" that would have a far bigger quality-of-life impact if they were spent on medical research or auto safety.

[Ferrus]

Thus we have billions (soon to be trillions) spent on the "war on terror" that would have a far bigger quality-of-life impact if they were spent on medical research or auto safety.
This much is true: as is the issue of paedophillia which is grossly overstated by the media because of its prurient nature. It says a lot about the zeitgeist and psyche of the current population.

But I am becoming increasingly convinced that true cataclysm is on the horizon, economically and socially. 'Sleepwalking into a crisis' - yes indeed. As was the First World War, and the Great Depression, to name only the great global crises of the 20th century.

[thod]

As every parent knows there are predators out there just waiting to pounce on the kids. The damage done to them from such restrictions must be worth it right?

I saw the stats and there were an average of 6 children per year killed by strangers and its been about the same for the last century.

There is a huge security industry out there telling you they are all out to get you. Fit alarms and locks on everything, play on paranoia, more cash for us.

You see the same thing with antibacterial surface cleaners. You don't want ot kill the bacteria you want to wash it off. Granny never died from her chopping board because when you wash it off you wash off the nutrients too. Its all hype to sell product to gullible.

We need to tap all the phones to make sure terrorists don't use them. Well they do but they use encryption. The only ones you can listen to are the general public.

The police were the other day calling for a national compulsory DNA database. No choice, criminal and innocent have to be on it. They seem to have forgotten that we are not property. That they are the servants and we are the masters. It will sub dermal chips next then switch's in the brain so they can just turn you off. No longer can you resist the will of state.

I am not even sure there are any terrorists. 9/11 seems like a friendly flag incident. Amazing that they still cant catch Osama after all this time, that there were no weapons of mass destruction etc. Its all so much like '1984', Big Brother never existed and all the bombs were planted by the state. If you were in the security service then the easiest way to increase your budget its to plant a bomb yourself.

Who or what are we defending from. When the IRA was blowing up London I never saw a single bomb. The chances of me ever dieing to one are tiny. The security precaution effects surely do effect me though.

Why defend the borders when the country is overrun with immigrants. What is the point of paying for an army when anyone can invade legally. They respond by oppressing the people with this police state idea. Nobody can enter and everyone is monitored at all time. You are caught on CCTV cameras 500 times a day. I have worked in places with microphones in the ceiling so the boss could listen in for dissension in the ranks.

Its all out of control, rant over.

[Ferrus]

Its all out of control, rant over.
And about to implode it would seem.

As Larkin said:

'Man hands on misery to man.
It deepens like a coastal shelf.
Get out as early as you can,
And don't have any kids yourself.'

[Thevenin]

Or is security being used as a tool of control and domination?

You'd certainly believe this trying to get onto an airplane these days.