What is the correct response to living in a society which is not sane?

[Fumesucker]

Seriously, I think it's fair to say that our society is not sane in quite a few ways.

I define sanity as reacting to situations and events in a rational manner and I think most of you will agree that many of the things which our society does are not rational.

Is it even possible to be sane when you live in a society which is not sane?

[datasuspect]

1. go to the mall, purchase shiny electronic black boxes

drink alcohol.

follow your doctor's protocols.

barbiturates help you sleep.

[femrap]

4. You forgot the

anti-depressants!

And since our society is NOT sane, we can drink legally but not enjoy the natural stress reliever of Mary Jane!

[rucky]

2. Why do you hate America?

honestly, I wish I knew the answer to your question.

[Echo In Light]

3. Official Culture in America: A Natural State of Psychopathy?

Official Culture in America: A Natural State of Psychopathy?
Laura Knight-Jadczyk

The subject of the extremely narrow point of view of most Americans as opposed to the majority of other peoples in the world came up in a conversation the other day. The people having the conversation were, as it happens, mostly American. One of them commented that Americans had been "programmed" to their point of view by mass media propaganda for a very long time and that it was simply a very normal part of American life and basically, always had been. She concluded, "Whoever denies it is either ignorant or has an agenda."

That may be so. It may be true that the "pied pipers" of denial have an agenda. But what, then, does one say or do about the ignorance of the vast majority of Americans? Why and how is it that the trap of Fascism is closing on them before their very eyes and no matter how many voices - the number is increasing every day - are raised to point out this danger, they simply do not seem to get it?

http://www.cassiopaea.org/cass/official_culture.htm

[mac2]

5. Now you know how the Germans felt under Hitler

[elocs]

6. A bit of a song from the Northern Exposure episode "Spring Break":

If we go, go insane
We can all go together
In this wild, wanton world
We can all break down forever...

It's a tribute by Lindsey Buckingham to Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys from D.W. Suite. It's at the end of the episode where the men of Cicely do a version of the Running of the Bulls where they run through the town to the cheering of the women--naked (the men, that is). Poignant song to go with the episode.

[Juche]

7. Get depressed, angry, or leave

Those seem to be the 3 options. People either get cynical, angry and try to change things or just move to Canada or Europe. Maher offers a nice summation:


"In most of the industrialized world, nearly everyone has health care. And hardly anyone doubts evolution. And, yes, having to live amid so many superstitious dimwits is also something that affects quality of life. It's why America isn't going to be the country that gets the inevitable patents in stem cell cures, because Jesus thinks it's too close to cloning!"

[Demeter]

8. You Forgot Revolution

Which is the only option left, now that we aren't a democratic republic any more.

[murray hill farm]

9. smile inanely when needed....

never try to explain to the insane, never debate then (a waste of time), move underground and work your butt off for change with like minded folks and join like minded groups for change and protest. DU sometimes helps. hahaha!

[ensho]

15. kick

nt

[Wiley50]

10. Medicate. That's how it's done at mental hospitals n/t

[whatchamacallit]

11. America is a lone wolf

Our psychology is no longer compatible with the world pack.

[Beregond2]

12. Has there ever been

a society that was sane, by this definition? Don't think so.

[Fumesucker]

13. Much of Europe seems considerably more sane than the US

Of all military expenditures in the world, we spend half and yet are still terrified.

Doesn't seem sane to me.

[InvisibleTouch]

14. Get out, and make your own. n/t

[lonestarnot]

16. Why concern yourself with a label?

:shrug: