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The era of relative peace and stability of 1950-2000 is over. Though wars and disasters did occur in that timeframe, they were mostly localized. Since 2001, catastrophic events have increased and become global. From terrorism which had repercussions throughout the whole world, religious conflicts, the 2008 recession, political instability in Europe (Brexit, months long riots in France, Greek riots), non stop heightened tensions in America for more than 10 years now, Arab spring, refugee crisis/invasion, global drought causing unprecedented fires in different parts of the world, floods, tsunamis, locust invasion, more and more random massacres (many of which had large casualties) in Norway, New Zealand, France, Germany, Canada, the US and others. Coronavirus, yet another recession, increased number of powerful hurricanes, mini world wars (Iraq war, NATO in Afghanistan, so many armies in Syria), increased number of earthquakes. The rapid downfall of moral values in dozens of countries which is also catastrophic. It seems all of this is happening at the same time.
Almost all of these events have had a global effect. The recent civil unrest in the US triggered riots in Australia, France, the UK, Greece...
2000 was the last year of the 20th century. I feel that with 2001 and the 21st century we have entered an age of global instability in just 19 years. Could it be that this is just the beginning ? Anyone else noticed the same pattern, or does anyone remember a time where things were just as bad or worse ?
The era of relative peace and stability of 1950-2000 is over. Though wars and catastrophes did occur in that timeframe, they were mostly localized. Since 2001, catastrophic events have increased and become global. From terrorism which had repercussions throughout the whole world, religious conflicts, the 2008 recession, political instability in Europe (Brexit, months long riots in France, Greek riots), non stop heightened tensions in America for more than 10 years now, Arab spring, refugee crisis/invasion, global drought causing unprecedented fires in different parts of the world, floods, tsunamis, locust invasion, more and more random massacres (many of which had large casualties) in Norway, New Zealand, France, Germany, Canada, the US and others. Coronavirus, yet another recession, increased number of powerful hurricanes, mini world wars (Iraq war, NATO in Afghanistan, so many armies in Syria), increased number of earthquakes. The rapid downfall of moral values in dozens of countries which is also a catastrophic event. It's like all of this is happening at the same time !
Almost all of these events have had a global effect. The recent civil unrest in the US triggered riots in Australia, France, the UK, Greece...
2000 was the last year of the 20th century. I feel that with 2001 and the 21st century we have entered an age of global instability in just 19 years. Could it be that this is just the beginning ? Anyone else noticed the same pattern, or does anyone remember a time where things were just as bad or worse ?
Just look at the first half of the 20th century as an easy comparison.
There are always wars and insurrection, plauge, famine, civil unrest, it's the human condition.
That's why it's a good idea to prepare for disasters and be as self sufficient as possible.
Just look at the first half of the 20th century as an easy comparison.
There are always wars and insurrection, plauge, famine, civil unrest, it's the human condition.
That's why it's a good idea to prepare for disasters and be as self sufficient as possible.
You're right, if anything we are going back to normal. I am comparing the second half of the century to our conditions now.
The era of relative peace and stability of 1950-2000 is over. Though wars and disasters did occur in that timeframe, they were mostly localized. Since 2001, catastrophic events have increased and become global. From terrorism which had repercussions throughout the whole world, religious conflicts, the 2008 recession, political instability in Europe (Brexit, months long riots in France, Greek riots), non stop heightened tensions in America for more than 10 years now, Arab spring, refugee crisis/invasion, global drought causing unprecedented fires in different parts of the world, floods, tsunamis, locust invasion, more and more random massacres (many of which had large casualties) in Norway, New Zealand, France, Germany, Canada, the US and others. Coronavirus, yet another recession, increased number of powerful hurricanes, mini world wars (Iraq war, NATO in Afghanistan, so many armies in Syria), increased number of earthquakes. The rapid downfall of moral values in dozens of countries which is also catastrophic. It seems all of this is happening at the same time.
Almost all of these events have had a global effect. The recent civil unrest in the US triggered riots in Australia, France, the UK, Greece...
2000 was the last year of the 20th century. I feel that with 2001 and the 21st century we have entered an age of global instability in just 19 years. Could it be that this is just the beginning ? Anyone else noticed the same pattern, or does anyone remember a time where things were just as bad or worse ?
As opposed to the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the assasination of a US president, 1970's energy crisis and OPEC embargo, Cuban Missile Crisis, Middle East wars - Six Day War and Yum Kipper War (and various others), HIV spread, China "cultural revolution" (i.e. deaths of some 60 million), Cambodia "killing fields", the spread of nuclear weapons, Iraq/Iran war and Ethnic cleansing in the 80s, Angola civil war in the 70s, Afhiganistan civil war and Soviet invasion in the 80s, Biafra ethnic cleansing in the 60s.....
Should I go on?
No the problem is you are watching too much news, which tends to focus on the negative. In reality I've seen a few articles and studies that proclaim the 21st century to be the most peaceful in human history, with generally the global community increasing in both prosperity and health.
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I tend to agree with Sorel. I was born 7 years after the end of WWII. I grew up in tourist areas at the beach and in the mountains. When I was a kid there were virtually NO foreign tourists and very few immigrants (in the western US anyway). You wanna know why? They were ALL DEAD!!! 85 Million people!
Things were relatively calm from the mid 50's because frankly the world was, WORN OUT.
The past 50 years in the US have been an unrelenting erosion of civil and personal rights and extreme police state actions since the late 60's. Now it's boiling over. As a nation we no longer trust each other. We see each other as threats, not as allies. Many see the government as an overbearing, out of control police state. Many civilians, especially urban and inner city youth see the police as a paramilitary occupying army, the attitude of both sides is, "us vs them." The excesses are well documented and are almost on par with acts of the Gestapo in many cases. CoVid has increased distrust, if you don't wear a mask you are a threat to my health and to my family. And the anti-maskers think I'm a crazy old coot for wearing one and taking precautions, some would physically attack me for it.
Some of you want to take our guns. Others are ready to use their guns to enforce their idea of how things should be - and probably will, if things don't change. We have both left and right wing viewpoints calling for revolution. We have an authoritarian oligarch despot in the white house who is a danger to humanity, and he has large numbers of extremist supporters who will support him regardless. The parallels to Hitler and Nazi Germany are well documented.
We have anti police / pro criminal protesters burning towns. On the other hand we have well armed gun rights groups marching on capitals and demanding a return of their (our) rights of various sorts - from plutocrats who apparently will NOT change - even at gun point. Virginia case in point - the armed protesters made no impression, the socialists in the state house rammed their draconian laws through regardless.
We have a government in all branches essentially ignoring the Constitution and enforcing their own version of rule of law - and a politicized supreme court that refuses to defend the rights of the People, per the ruling documents. When government is completely unresponsive to public demand the People have little choice left but open revolt.
The general public, both left and right is FED UP! And in their feeble ways they are trying to do something about it. They will probably get a few laws changed. Everyone who isn't brain dead knows what the outcome of "defunding police" would result in - it already is in Seattle - where a rap singer/warlord is trying to take over several city blocks - and charging businesses protection money. I mean the mafia stopped doing this 50 years ago.
Anyway - we are at some sort of crossroads. In all likelihood things will simmer down and it will be back to business as usual in a few months. Except the covid issue is throwing a continuing monkey wrench into things - and we haven't even begun to see the fallout from that.
I tend to agree with Sorel. I was born 7 years after the end of WWII. I grew up in tourist areas at the beach and in the mountains. When I was a kid there were virtually NO foreign tourists and very few immigrants (in the western US anyway). You wanna know why? They were ALL DEAD!!! 85 Million people!
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But really that is over-dramatic. The war of course had significant impact but took 2% of the world population, hardly all or most. The reason for no tourism and immigration is because global tourism was not yet a popular pastime in the late 40's and early 50's (air travel was very expensive) and immigration to the US has dramatically slowed down after the peak years of the early 20th century (1907 was the peak year).
But that one sentence might be a representation of the thread intention as a whole - individual perception of the state of affairs is very subjective and not fact based.
The role of the pandemic cannot be ignored. The recent hysteria over police and statues stems from pent up frustration at being confined.
I agree with Dd714, Jamie, etc. that things will calm down as the country opens back up, the rioters will gradually go away, police will resume their traditional roles, albeit with greater restrictions and cautions.
Violent and property crimes will however increase in the ghetto areas as police rationally and rightly avoid getting involved in career-ending interventions.
Eventually, the crime wave will finally push dim witted civilians over the edge, and they'll start voting for law-and-order candidates to clean up the cities. It's happened several times before and this is just another such cycle.
Until that clean-up happens, though, wise citizens will arm themselves and harden their homes against lawlessness. Among other things, I'm planning to get a good sized hunting dog this summer, one with strong protective and predatory instincts to guard the pack. Not looking for trouble, but will assume that trouble can come looking for us.
It's pretty much all the largest cities nowadays. We'd have to build an awful lot of walls. But certainly, there are cities that have attracted a large number of young white radicals (Portland, Seattle, SF) and become unlivable. As these people age, they will spread out into the 'burbs and ruin those, too.
Just look at the first half of the 20th century as an easy comparison.
There are always wars and insurrection, plauge, famine, civil unrest, it's the human condition.
That's why it's a good idea to prepare for disasters and be as self sufficient as possible.
old people always build up the good old days and attack modern times. his post is an impressive example of seeing things through rose colored glasses. modern times is more peaceful than the past not less. also, the most warmongering country on earth is the US so we dont even see most of the war, other parts of the world see it through being bombed/attacked by the US military. there were plenty of wars in the first half of the 20th century, plenty of wars in the 2nd half. we are in a time of relative peace right now but an older person wants to believe its so bad now and its not as good as "the good old days."
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