Tension and stress: Society in conflict

[Az]

Many people are concerned about what is going on here in DU. Why all the fighting and tension. Simply stated our society is in a complex struggle that is pitting diametrically opposed ideas in a hidden battle. The tension from this conflict ooze into the public and raise the stress level of everyone in the society, DU included.

We know that when social creatures are placed under prolonged stress they begin to express anger quicker and turn on their friends and family in fits of rage. The voltage in the cage is being turned up and the US population is turning on itself. Unemployment, social change, uncertainty, terrorism, war, bioterrorism, and the return of the nuclear threat have raised the stress level of the US to unimaginable heights.

We desperately want out of this situation. We each have our own idea of how to get out of it. Thus we struggle to achieve it. Those that are far removed from us are simply percieved as the enemy and we do not troulbe ourselves with their positions other than to oppose them. But those closest to us can deliver the heaviest blow to us. Because of the increased need to resolve the stress in our lives those that are most similar bring about the greatest dissappointment when they differ with us.

Arguing a point with someone close to you brings more tension than arguing with someone far removed. Initially it is the frustration of someone so close not being able to be brought closer. But later the problem becomes one of fear of contamination. In group dynamics we draw around us those who view the world similar to ourselves. A slight variance can send such a group careening out of control and away from our position. Thus someone with a minor difference represents the greatest threat to a group because of the increased possibility that they may effectively change the group.

What we need to do to resolve this tension within our group is remind ourselves of the things we do have in common. The shared values and goals. The primary tension is coming from outside our environment and it is the focus we must maintain. We will simply have to understand that each of us has our own vision of which issue is of greater importance but that in the end we are all in this journey together.

[seemslikeadream]

1. Thanks so much

I really appreciate your words