We Are Gullible and Easily Scared: It seems that people like to be scared of things that aren't worthy of the "scary" title.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It seems that people like to be scared of things that aren't worthy of the "scary" title.

http://www.salon.com/2015/03/07/9_senseless_social_panics_that_did_lasting_damage_to_america_partner/

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

They missed out the panic caused in NY when 'The War of the Worlds' was broadcast over the radio.

I have wondered for some time whether the Americans are particularly paranoid. :?:
Each day I get a list of Kindle books for that day and there are always a lot of 'Prepping' books to be prepared for some disaster or another. These books are always of American origin and there we do not appear to have such things in the UK.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Crwiwy wrote:

They missed out the panic caused in NY when 'The War of the Worlds' was broadcast over the radio.

I have wondered for some time whether the Americans are particularly paranoid. :?:
Each day I get a list of Kindle books for that day and there are always a lot of 'Prepping' books to be prepared for some disaster or another. These books are always of American origin and there we do not appear to have such things in the UK.

There used to be a TV series about the Preppers. Each week they would show how a couple had prepared their bunker for the end of the world, or whatever. What I thought was odd was that each prepper was preparing differently for a different disaster. One family bought a missile silo out west, and that was their home. The stairs leading down into it had flame throwers on both sides.

I don't know about the news programs in the UK, but here, they have little teasers to get you to watch. "Thousands dead in NYC. Details at 11:00." When you tune in at 11:00, they present a story about a large cemetery.

Sirsnapalot Loc: Hammond, Louisiana

It's all BS! Some people crave panic! Those same people watch horror movies just to get the s&;t scared out of themselves! These people are panic junkies!!

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

jerryc41 wrote:

I don't know about the news programs in the UK, but here, they have little teasers to get you to watch. "Thousands dead in NYC. Details at 11:00." When you tune in at 11:00, they present a story about a large cemetery.

We have thankfully been spared that - so far. Our TV programs will probably degenerate to that sometime in the same way that BBC English has disappeared from the news! :roll:

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Crwiwy wrote:

They missed out the panic caused in NY when 'The War of the Worlds' was broadcast over the radio.

I have wondered for some time whether the Americans are particularly paranoid. :?:
Each day I get a list of Kindle books for that day and there are always a lot of 'Prepping' books to be prepared for some disaster or another. These books are always of American origin and there we do not appear to have such things in the UK.

The amount of panic reported across the North East United States as a result of the War of the Worlds broadcast was mostly hypocraphful and was great for selling newspapers. Inaccurate reports of the degree of "widespread panic" were especially egregious in Europe and Australia. There were no riots in the streets or mass assemblies. To be sure there were many people upset and concerned. But the number of those involved and their reaction to the broadcast has always been greatly exaggerated. The Mercury Theatre was on a secondary CBS station. Most people were listening to the Chase and Sanborn Hour. Those who heard the War of the Worlds from the beginning knew it was a work of fiction. Only those that turned in later in the broadcast became concerned that it might be real. Most of the concerns were expressed by people in the then more rural and less sophisticated areas of the North East, not as much in New York City itsself

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

we in America have adopted a { safe-at-all-cost}, mentality. it threatens our freedoms and everyday life. we've become soft asnd it could be our downfall.

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

mwsilvers wrote:

The amount of panic reported across the North East... (show quote)

It made good news though and often that appears to be all that counts.
Can you also explain the massive amount of 'Prepping' books coming from the US - the shear quantity is certainly not fictitious? That is what I am curious about.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Crwiwy wrote:

It made good news though and often that appears to be all that counts.
Can you also explain the massive amount of 'Prepping' books coming from the US - the shear quantity is certainly not fictitious? That is what I am curious about.

I don't know what you mean by "Prepping books".

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

mwsilvers wrote:

I don't know what you mean by "Prepping books".

'Prepping' books are ones that give instructions on how to be prepared for some disaster or another or how to deal with it if it occurs.
EG;
Prepper: Bug Out Basics: Create Your Apocalypse Survival Bug Out Bag (Prepper, Prepping, and Apocalypse Survival Book 1)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prepper-Basics-Apocalypse-Survival-Prepping-ebook/dp/B00TO7W2XS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425920279&sr=8-2&keywords=preppers

Prepper's Underground Guide to Improvised Weapons! How to Protect Yourself Without a Firearm Using Everyday Items!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Preppers-Underground-Improvised-Yourself-Everyday-ebook/dp/B00A6F6MX8/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1425920279&sr=8-9&keywords=preppers

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Crwiwy wrote:

'Prepping' books are ones that give instructions o... (show quote)

I have not seen nor am I familiar with this type of book. To be sure there are many people here who believe the government, or some other entity, is out to get them, but I don't focus on such things.

mdfenton

I (CRWIWY writing in Ugly Hedgehog) have wondered for some time whether the Americans are particularly paranoid. Each day I get a list of Kindle books for that day and there are always a lot of 'Prepping' books to be prepared for some disaster or another. These books are always of American origin and there we do not appear to have such things in the UK. Always of American origin and never in UK? REALLY?

Being curious about preppers in movie entertainment, I searched Netflix for Doomsday Preppers and found at the top of the list the video: Doomsday having the synopsis: When a deadly viral epidemic kills hundreds of thousands of people in Britain the government quarantines the infected behind a walled city. For those of you who think that the Yanks are uniquely paranoid relative to the Brits and prepping guides are always of American origin go to: http://www.ukpreppersguide.co.uk/. Looks like prepping is a lively activity in the UK.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

mwsilvers wrote:

The amount of panic reported across the North East... (show quote)

Exactly right. There was no panic or rioting, but that story helped to sell newspapers. The broadcast wasn't done as a prank. It was advertised ahead of time.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

jerryc41 wrote:

It seems that people like to be scared of things that aren't worthy of the "scary" title.

http://www.salon.com/2015/03/07/9_senseless_social_panics_that_did_lasting_damage_to_america_partner/

#6 did the worst damage to families. I came under attack for recovered memories and only because my female lawyer listened to me and did research in this time that during the trial my childern admitted that their mother and social worker had told them what to say and admitted that they had lied. Then the social worker and pshchologist were tried and convicted for what they did. I sure enjoyed that. By the way they are much closer to me now and despise their mother for what she did.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Architect1776 wrote:

#6 did the worst damage to families. I came under attack for recovered memories and only because my female lawyer listened to me and did research in this time that during the trial my childern admitted that their mother and social worker had told them what to say and admitted that they had lied. Then the social worker and pshchologist were tried and convicted for what they did. I sure enjoyed that. By the way they are much closer to me now and despise their mother for what she did.

So many people have suffered because of unsubstantiated charges, and not only in regard to "recovered memories."