Stress & Terrorism

There are many ways to gauge the success (or failure) of the 'war on terrorism'. Are there fewer attacks? Are more allies piling into the fray?

DO PEOPLE FEEL SAFER?

Before addressing this question, one must ask 'how are people getting their information about terrorism?' Today, when so much of the news, publications, and other forms of propoganda are geared to influence and spin, it's difficult to collect relevant information. It is out there, and if one chooses to become aware, it will take a commitment of time and energy to become so.

In this age of infobytes which are more about blather and spin, ignorance becomes dangerous. Not bliss. Because, as individuals get all worked up and lathered by the spinners and 'reporters', their stress toxins are elevating into 'fight or flight' mode. If this elevation persists, then there may be dire consequences on a psycho-physiological level, for years to come.

Not unlike the issues of one suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, signs and symptoms emerge when one is threatened with no sense of empowerment that they are able to constructively organize around the threat.

DO YOU FEEL SAFE WITH THE PRESENT APPROACH TO TERRORISM?

deorre

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19 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by postmoderncritic

November 28th 2006 14:27

Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc

I suspect that the Australian government has taken all the necessary precautions to protect the public, so I try not to think too much about the possibility of a terrorist attack.

)

Comment by Justin

November 28th 2006 15:06

I understand what you're saying about the cummulative effects of precaution are in itself causing stress yet the part about "stress toxins are elevating into 'fight or flight' mode", neurophysiologically baffles me. Toxins don't cause the fight or flight response but motor neurons in the bodys sympathetic nervous system do which mediate the bodys actions towards stressful situations. Toxins affects on the body are usually found via the gastrointestinal or the cardiovascular system.

Comment by Deorre

November 28th 2006 15:23

Stress Alive
Man Lessons

One of the problems with our 'abstracting brains' is that we can create fear and then sustain it such that the toxins are elevated as if mimicking a true crisis. Without the abstracting brain, I would totally agree with you, Justin. I speak of a gestalt experience rather thanisolating various segments of the body. Clearly, you are studied, and thanks for the response.

Comment by Deorre

November 28th 2006 15:26

Stress Alive
Man Lessons

Well postmodern, it seems you have found a way to NOT stress too much about it. Good on you!

Comment by postmoderncritic

November 28th 2006 15:34

Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc

I stress out about everything else, though! lol

Comment by Anonymous

November 28th 2006 23:12

Providing a resource for organic products.

Comment by Deorre

November 29th 2006 06:27

Stress Alive
Man Lessons

Have I been spammed by anonymous?!?

Comment by Sisi

November 29th 2006 13:49

Hahah I believe you have Deorre!
In relation to the topic, I don't feel completely safe but I don't think there's any way you could make me feel safer.

Comment by Deorre

November 29th 2006 14:32

Stress Alive
Man Lessons

As if, Sisi, you must go through life feeling unsafe? Or have you got it in a manageable place that is not disruptive?

Comment by Sisi

November 30th 2006 11:48

I didn't say I don't feel unsafe...I just said there's no way you could make me feel safer

Comment by Deorre

November 30th 2006 13:03

Stress Alive
Man Lessons

Ahhh. I see. That is a pretty good way to feel, yes? Sounds like a 'glass half full' approach. I do that too, actually.

Comment by MelissaA

December 1st 2006 09:05

Fun Facts

Why be overly concerned by a terrorist attack? There's still a bigger chance of being hit by a car or some other disaster befalling you first.
I just ignore all of it and live each day out as it comes. I'm here to enjoy life, not to be fearful of it!

Comment by Deorre

December 1st 2006 13:15

Stress Alive
Man Lessons

True that, MelissaA. We will all die sooner or later, for one reason or another. What is the point of stressing too much over it.

On the other hand, when you are driving, do you obey the laws that are designed for safety? If so, why?

Comment by MelissaA

December 2nd 2006 02:10

Fun Facts

Yes, I do Deorre, but that's just more to do with common sense and structure. Otherwise the world would all be total chaos.

Comment by Damo

December 2nd 2006 02:48

I like trhe theory of ignorance being bliss.

Comment by Deorre

December 2nd 2006 13:03

Stress Alive
Man Lessons

I think there is clearly something to the ignorance is bliss thing. It does not preclude mindfulness. There is a thing the anthroplogists and mythologians call the participation mystique. It is throwing yourself full into today and being your world. In a nutshell, not having your world be all the things you worry about.

Comment by MelissaA

December 3rd 2006 01:55

Fun Facts

There is some sense in that.
I'm not saying we shouldn't worry about the world, I'm just saying we need to get out priorities right. Some things you just can't control, no matter how hard you try. It's like abnging your head against a brick wall, so why try?

I'd rather participate in things that I do have some control over. It's like how Sydney is running out of water. I do my part to not waste water and to reuse what we do use as much as I can. I then help other people out with ways that they can follow suit.

Something like that is a bigger problem that needs to be addressed and can be controlled if enough people get involved, and in the end it is all of us who will be the winners. After all without water, there is no life.

So, don't think that I'm all for everyone just being off in their own little worlds either - obviousy we do have to do things to help ourselves and others, I just think stressing about something that may or may not happen and is totally out of your control anyway is a wasted use of time that can be spent on other more enjoyable experiences, if you know what I mean.

Comment by Deorre

December 3rd 2006 13:45

Stress Alive
Man Lessons

Agreed, Melissa. It is mindful, in my mind, to be able to distinguish the things we can impact and things we cannot. Helps us to effectively direct our energy.

Comment by ChrisM

December 23rd 2006 04:27

i cannot say im content with the way the 'war on terrorism' is being waged. firstly because you do not combat terrorism by indulging in it, secondly because the current methods are doing nothing to combat the actual cause of it, and lastly because the war on terror is not only increasing acts of individual and group terrorism, it is actively promoting segregation and a distorted notion of an archetypal good vs evil mentality.
as to the question of do i feel safer, honestly i feel neither safer or less secure than i did before 9/11.

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