When did our society become so mean?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:12:13 -0400

Seems like everytime I turn around, someone is more than just disgruntled. They are angry and often downright mean. There seems to be more angry and mean people today than ever before. What happened? When did we become generally such a meaner society?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 3:19 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:19:32 -0400

People have just stopped carrying about others. No laws, no manners and people say what's wrong with that. A society that doesn't care about anything, that is what's wrong. Very upsetting for sure!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 3:23 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:23:11 -0400

Sir, in some ways, I feel that our society has always had this mean streak. However, since the dawning of the internet and social media, that mean streak is more out in the open for the world to see. Topping that with the genre of people having the gimmes and entitlement attitudes, the meanness has only gotten worse.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 2 at 2015 4:43 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 16:43:05 -0400

Could be that those that have sacrificed and worked are tired of supporting those that have not and do not planning on doing anything other than being a burden on society.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 2 at 2015 4:52 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 16:52:59 -0400

I actually heard a study in regards to this.

The human mind is only able to maintain about 100-150 "relationships." Think of it like a small town. We're sort of "wired" that way. Each inter-personal relationship has both benefits AND consequences.

Being nice is required in a small community (150~ relationships) otherwise we just can't coexist. However, what happens when you exceed that number? What happens when you are permanently & anonymously attached to an "infinite" number of people, and there are NO consequences?

As a metaphor, think of it like a house with 150 outlets in it. Each relationship you have is an an item that plugs into the wall. Sooner or later you run out of outlets. Then you start "sharing" outlets. One (group of) plug ends up going to "Facebook Friends," another goes to "Work Friends" and another goes to "Clerks you see every day."

The problem is, you can't support the "amp draw." Best case scenario, you trip a breaker. Worst case scenario, you start an electrical fire and your house burns down.

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Jul 2 at 2015 9:33 PM

SGT Joe Sabedra — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 21:33:03 -0400

They were before too.
Now we have social media so you get to hear about it.

Much faster way to get out the crazies.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 2 at 2015 9:57 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 21:57:25 -0400

We are going through a new era where respect is hard to find. Everyone thinks they can have a better country if they get their way.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made May 10 at 2016 8:47 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Tue, 10 May 2016 20:47:49 -0400

When did our society become so mean?

That is a great question?? And one I have often thought about. It has probably been mean for years but it's more prevalent with so many people using social media and so many news channels on TV that constantly report so many negative stories.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 9:20 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 May 2016 21:20:30 -0400

Well, this evening I sort of unloaded at the lady who called to offer me a maintenance deal on a car I have not had since Oct 2013.

And, of course she called on my cell which is on the do not call list.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 9:27 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 May 2016 21:27:34 -0400

Our society developed this personality disorder as we became more and more focused on our e-world. There are people with thousands of "friends" on social media but probably could not tell you what their neighbor even looks like, let alone their name.

We have lost the ability to properly communicate with people and have learned that it is easier to express our thoughts through the relative anonymity of the internet. This method is quickly becoming the new norm, and I believe, started to have an effect on our psyche, our universal consciousness.

The net effect: a meaner society that has lost the ability to relate to others.

Response by Lt Col George Muller made May 11 at 2016 12:27 AM

Lt Col George Muller — Wed, 11 May 2016 00:27:38 -0400

Nothing in the past 10-12 years has given me more frustration the todays technology be it the phone, computer, TVs or any electronic devices, an its not just me. I see it in every day life people get frustrated because some device doesn't work like it's suppose to. I heard of friends busting up their computer, phone etc due to some small problem. They may have hit the wrong key and lost all their information. I've been temped to beat up on my computer for such problems.
Technology is suppose to make life easier not harder. I some ways they do but too many times they seem to work against us. I call it the "revenge of the nurds"
Computer companies and electronic companies hirer the people who can make a program do may things instead of make the job at hand easier. They seem to have forgotten the old saying "KISS" Keep it simple stupid" Try and find a computer today that is simple and I don't need to buy a 300 page book to tell me how to run it. So it no wonder people are frustrated and take it out on others. They need to investigate suicides, murders etc and find out the real reason people commit these acts of aggression. I have spoken to many friends who say the same thing, they are more frustrated due to the technology we are using. I've gone back to reading books again as my stress level is much reduced and I'm sure there are many who agree with me. KISS

Response by J H made Dec 24 at 2016 3:27 PM

J H — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 15:27:57 -0500

I'm not certain when, but Greed is the "why". In general people have become greedier due to the mix of inflation and their inability to discipher between needs and wants as they attempt to "keep up with the Jones'". Their focus on their wants is out of balance with their financial capability, so unfortunately their need for immediate satisfaction overwhelms any logic they might otherwise maintain and emotions such as guilt, anger, and greed take over. Loss of respect for themselves then bleeds over to lack of respect for others and in turn violent behavior can ensue.

Remember to love each other, and help each other as would Christ, and all things will be possible.

Response by PO1 Rodney Bracey made Mar 8 at 2017 7:50 AM

PO1 Rodney Bracey — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 07:50:30 -0500

After 9/11. The government convinced us that the boogeyman was out to get us and some seemed to have retreated to within their precious bubbles. And we all know how delicate bubbles are. :)

Response by SSG Terry Clay made Feb 4 at 2018 11:53 AM

SSG Terry Clay — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 11:53:21 -0500

It's an old fashioned idea, maybe, but I think it's because our once more civilized society is no longer held accountable for its words like it once was. Anybody remember getting rapped in the mouth by a friend or family member because you popped off with some words or attitude or combination of the two that, had you thought before you spoke you'd never have said? I do. For instance, I was 18 years old when, long before the age of political correctness, whatever the hell that is, I repeated a joke I'd heard a celebrity tell on an album while playing spades aboard U.S.S. Monticello in 1978. A shipmate and friend called me aside and in a very respectful, friendly way called me into account for the words. They involved old fashioned chocolate candies and the color of his skin. He said he wasn't mad, but he couldn't let me get away with it. He told what he was going to do and gave me a shot in my right shoulder I think sometimes I can still feel 40 years later. He was a Golden Gloves boxer. I walked away wiser somehow and somewhat less careless. It wasn't considered abusive or traumatic for a second. It was considered correction. And I knew I needed it. (Thank you, Dad) We shook hands and we were still freinds.
Today, the internet shields people from such repercussions and those who have little understanding of the 'rights' afforded them by the U.S. Constitution proclaim the 'right' to be hurtful, inflammatory and unloving pop off at the mouth fearlessly. No accountability. I think that's part of reason we are so much meaner and uncivil in our interactions with others, because it doesn't hurt the perp. That, and it seems young people, more than the rest, are angry and they have no reason why. But that's another analysis. Based on my experience and perspective, that's my personal opinion.

Response by SR Maddie G made Mar 15 at 2018 1:29 PM

SR Maddie G — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 13:29:44 -0400

society is just all the expectations of "fitting in" and being so normal that none would even turn their head towards you. The reason its become so mean is because when you make a mistake like everyone does you'll be penalized for not abiding to how this "society" expects you to live. its all about the money to live and passing on your genes, what happened to the inspiration? all this fat and skinny inspiration has only come about because "society" tells us its wrong i'm on about mind altering inspiration. more and more of our youth are depressed because were told that we are special and then told were wrong for having an outlook that "doesn't fit in" we need change and unfortunately i don't think it ever will. The only way you will ever be happy is to let go of "society" slightly and follow your dreams, live a kind life and make others happy.
Sadly i don't think i have enough will power to ever do that and i will suffer for the rest of my life. forever unhappy. if i'm 21 and can see this then i'm hoping you'll see how closed minded we have all become. so to answer your question simply we are what makes society mean by giving it power.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 16 at 2018 3:45 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 15:45:52 -0400

It is not really meanness- but lack of respect. The last and the current generations have been taught NOT to respect their elders, superiors, peers or even themselves. They have been taught that it is suppose to be their way, and everyone else is wrong. That's why they can't carry a conversation without falling back on yelling, screaming, name calling or even assaults.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2018 4:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 16:01:16 -0400

When their mouth got bigger then their cell.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Mar 16 at 2018 4:24 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 16:24:29 -0400

I have read through the comments posted thus far. My take, at least for myself, is a little different. Prior to enlisting in the Army in 1968 I was very even-keeled, slow to anger, liked and respected everyone, rarely would I utter an unkind or insulting remark. Shortly after ETSing, having just returned from 26 months in Korea I quickly saw that I was not the same man the entered the military service. I became quick to anger, I became intolerant, I became overly critical, I was no longer running on an even keel. I had changed, it took few years for realization to set in. But, I did not care, I did not want to change. Actually, this became yet another point of anger when I finally saw myself pre and post military. I had changed and did not like what I had become. I have been fighting this change for better than 45 years now. Back in 2000 or 2001, after an emotional crisis, also related to my anger and propensity toward anger, I knew I was whipped, I was beat up and did not know where to turn. By that time I was receiving all my medical treatment through the VA system - yet I had not ever explored mental health - A mental health crisis drove me to seek help with the Mental Health department at my local VA. My initial intake with a wonderful psychiatrist revealed my problems were in all likelihood the result of PTS(d). My recovery from anger and violence was then underway. Have I conquered these demons? Have you? No, I have not but I know they are there and I know I must be ever vigilant in order to keep myself in check. This has proven to be the most difficult task I have faced. In 1985 I surrendered my drug addiction and alcoholism to a Higher Power having come to the realization that I was powerless in dealing with alcohol and have since learned that alcohol was but a symptom of what was really the problem. (By the way, I have not found it necessary to use or drink since 15 Sep 1985 - 33 years.) Sorry, I know this is a very long answer.