If you are a news junkie, you may be tempted to think the world has gone mad. If you turn on the television you get non-stop coverage of the Kansas shootings, dead babies in Utah, and the trial of the Blade-runner among other current tragedies. But before you pine for the good old days, think back for just a moment. Growing up, we had Charlie Manson and the Olympic tragedy. We had riots and protests and, through it all, I felt pretty safe in my little corner of the world.
Violent crime is no higher today, in most places, than the good old days. However, today the media covers these events continuously. I have even noticed commercials for the local weather are filled with scenes from weather emergencies. Other commercials are filled with medical emergencies so you will ask your doctor to put you on this or that prescription.
Before we all rush inside and bar the doors and windows, don’t panic. I agree we certainly could have a better society but we don’t live in a scene from a Mad Max movie. Maybe it is time to take a collective breath, work on the things we can change and not fear the world around us.