Posted by Tabitha on June 13, 2016, at 17:27:09
In reply to Re: Emotional reactions to news » Tabitha, posted by SLS on June 12, 2016, at 19:14:59
> I don't understand.
>
> In what ways do these news items upset you? Is there a feeling of helplessness? Do they promote fear that bad things will happen to you? Is it a depressing sense that there is so much morbidity of the world?Hi Scott. That's a very thought-provoking question. I think it's a combo of things. Reading details of violent crimes makes me feel unsafe, and triggers rumination on painful events in my own past. In commentary, there are inevitably people who show complete lack of empathy with the victims and/or plainly support the crimes. That makes me want to argue with them, which is frustrating whether or not I actually do it. Conflict and argument in general is stressful to me. I feel (internal) pressure to speak up, and pressure to stay silent. I can't win.
I think ultimately it just frightens me to see attitudes that I find hateful and ignorant. It makes me fear being judged or viewed as sub-human for qualities I share with the person or group being ridiculed. It makes me think humans are overall meaner than I want them to be. It makes me feel sad and alone to have such huge differences of perspective with others. It highlights profound differences with my family, friends, and the norms of the area where I grew up and went to school.
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> For me, these things generally do not promote fear or anxiety. Maybe I am just desensitized to them. Quite honestly, my main concern involves the presidential election.Good for you. Being reactive doesn't seem to have any advantage. Yes, the election is so contentious this time. Even if my favored candidate wins, I will know that millions of people supported the ones that I find heinous, and millions strongly dislike the one I favored. It seems there's no chance for any semblance of unity.
poster:Tabitha
thread:1089576
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20160101/msgs/1089595.html