Herd mentality and Stigmas

I'm having a hard time understanding why there are so many people on here that resort to name-calling or rude behavior when they see something that offends them. I thought this was supposed to be a place where people could have honest, frank discussions about subjects that would otherwise be taboo to mainstream society?

I'm starting to think that perhaps the mentality of the last Bush presidency has sunk in so much that it's literally "You're either with us or against us". For example, a differing, harsh opinion on a subject such as 9/11 is enough to get the hateful, nasty replies from people. I thought it would be the opposite on ATS.

In fact, let's make a short list of things that rile people up just by the very mention of them:

- Obama
- Liberals
- Socialism
- 9/11
- Iraq War
- Afghanistan War
- Any anti-war sentiment
- Unions
- Schoolteachers
- Scientists

Are we really that brainwashed to a point where the mere mention of any of these words/phrases is enough to send us at each others' throats?

Share your thoughts.

some peoples stupidity just inspires sudden outbursts of anger. i don't think i'm making wild demands when i simply ask do not be retarded. this is a perfectly reasonable request. what is this world coming to when i can't call someone the f word? or the d word?

reply to post by The Sword


Bush
Women
The Bible
Judaism
Islam
Christianity
Atheism
Planetary and Lunar Anomalies
Sightings
Elections (all of them)

etc etc.

it's odd that you would open your post with the little proviso that it was a bush thing. you do realize that this mob mentality to which you refer is nearly global, crosses political boundaries, religious boundaries and every other boundary you care to name. i just got done looking at a selection of youtube videos in which songs by a group called "creed" have been lambasted beyond recognition because the lead singer has become a christian. his music was great before that, but now the mob mentality is that he has no talent. he just up and lost his talent. you believe that right? and i'm just getting warmed up!

You forgot abortion...now there's an instant point jackpot for controversy seekers!

Good point in OP.

reply to post by undo


I think you're seeing what you want to see in that post. Perhaps I should have been more broad. Would this thread fit U.S Political Madness better?

As for Creed? Scott Stapp was already a Christian when they were at their peak. He's done some pretty questionable things and I think that most people just grew tired of his whiny voice and the recycled bass/guitar lines that Creed regurgitated on each album.

Regardless, I appreciate the input.

the band creed is totally gay, and you would need to have the experimental ball removal surgery in order to enjoy it.

reply to post by 2weird2live2rare2die


Where did I imply that I enjoy their music?

Regardless, back on topic.

reply to post by The Sword

perhaps the mentality of the last Bush presidency has sunk in so much that it's literally "You're either with us or against us"

soo, you're either not whiney or you're not talented? or you're either not weird or you're against us? i am sensing a pattern here. there's no moral highroad on this topic. i could give you so many examples. endless streams of them, just on ats alone.

Originally posted by undo
reply to post by The Sword

 

Bush
Women
The Bible
Judaism
Islam
Christianity
Atheism
Planetary and Lunar Anomalies
Sightings
Elections (all of them)

etc etc.

it's odd that you would open your post with the little proviso that it was a bush thing. you do realize that this mob mentality to which you refer is nearly global, crosses political boundaries, religious boundaries and every other boundary you care to name. i just got done looking at a selection of youtube videos in which songs by a group called "creed" have been lambasted beyond recognition because the lead singer has become a christian. his music was great before that, but now the mob mentality is that he has no talent. he just up and lost his talent. you believe that right? and i'm just getting warmed up!

I'm pretty sure Creed was always a Christian band. I like Christian rock. But I didn't like the lead singer at all- he sounds like a dying horse to me.