Originally posted by Pianoman1The murder rate in the 70s and 80s and - as far as I recall - much of the 90s was higher than it is now.
Over seven Christmas days, 14 people have met violent deaths in Britain. Could there be a sorrier reflection of our "civilized" society. Just a few decades ago any murder was front page news. Now there are so many brutal killings that they have become almost commonplace.
UK - there were 765 reported incidents of murder for 2005-6 – a rate of about 1.1 per 100,000.
US - there were an estimated 16,137 homicides in 2004 – a rate of about 5.4 per 100,000.
You said: "This Christmas - supposedly a time of peace and goodwill - seems to have been particularly violent, with no fewer than 14 murders across the country in the past week."
It would be interesting to know why you think last week was "particularly violent" with its 14 murders. In the U.K. all year round there are an average of about 14 murders a week.
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Originally posted by FMFThe first point I was trying to make was that the violence is thrown into even greater contrast against the background of "the season of goodwill".
The murder rate in the 70s and 80s and - as far as I recall - much of the 90s was higher than it is now.
UK - there were 765 reported incidents of murder for 2005-6 – a rate of about 1.1 per 100,000.
US - there were an estimated 16,137 homicides in 2004 – a rate of about 5.4 per 100,000.
You said: "This Christmas - supposedly a time of peace and goodwi its 14 murders. In the U.K. all year round there are an average of about 14 murders a week.
Murder is appalling whatever time of year it is, but it "appears" more shocking when set against the background of carols, decorations, good cheer. It suppose it just backs up my suspicion that Christmas is one of the most stressful times of the year, when reluctant families are thrust together, when marriage is put to the test, when financial issues become exaggerated etc. etc.
The second point is how "commonplace" murder has become, how cheap, if you like, life is.
The third point I subsequently raised needs answering: are we more "civilized" now than, say, 500 years ago?
Originally posted by Pianoman1I think it's a good thing we murder people at Christmas time. It shows the world we Brits have a backbone. We don't stop killing just because Jesus, the bishop of Myra and coca cola deemed it a public holiday!
Over seven Christmas days, 14 people have met violent deaths in Britain. Could there be a sorrier reflection of our "civilized" society. Just a few decades ago any murder was front page news. Now there are so many brutal killings that they have become almost commonplace. This Christmas - supposedly a time of peace and goodwill - seems to have been particu ...[text shortened]... er than 14 murders across the country in the past week.
Anyone join me in uprooting to Goa?
Damn no! We stop for noone. We kill 14 people every 7 days (or two a day... I mean, what's the difference) and nothing's gonna deter us!!
We'll kill them on the beaches!
We'll kill them on the streets!
And Easter bunny... you better watch out. We might make one exception and do a 15th in April!
Originally posted by shavixmirStrange.
I think it's a good thing we murder people at Christmas time. It shows the world we Brits have a backbone. We don't stop killing just because Jesus, the bishop of Myra and coca cola deemed it a public holiday!
Damn no! We stop for noone. We kill 14 people every 7 days (or two a day... I mean, what's the difference) and nothing's gonna deter us!!
We'l ...[text shortened]... Easter bunny... you better watch out. We might make one exception and do a 15th in April!
Originally posted by Pianoman1Public burnings were common place 500 years ago which attracted large crowds. I don't think that would go down too well today. Consider that blasphemy was a 'crime' punishable by death in the UK until 1697, and for a short period in the 1500's people could be boiled to death.
The first point I was trying to make was that the violence is thrown into even greater contrast against the background of "the season of goodwill".
Murder is appalling whatever time of year it is, but it "appears" more shocking when set against the background of carols, decorations, good cheer. It suppose it just backs up my suspicion that Christmas is ...[text shortened]... bsequently raised needs answering: are we more "civilized" now than, say, 500 years ago?
I would say we are unquestionably more civilised than 500 years ago, just read a few books on medieval history.
Originally posted by Proper KnobThen there was the rack, hanging, drawing and quartering, iron maiden, pilaging and rape.
Public burnings were common place 500 years ago which attracted large crowds. I don't think that would go down too well today. Consider that blasphemy was a 'crime' punishable by death in the UK until 1697, and for a short period in the 1500's people could be boiled to death.
I would say we are unquestionably more civilised than 500 years ago, just read a few books on medieval history.
Not to mention that anyone slightly different, disabled, mentally ill and women who carried out abortionsx or who got pregnant out of wedlock were thrown into asylums. We treat murderers and rapist with more dignity nowdays.
I'd definitely say we have progressed as a civilised society. Not perfect by any means, but improving.
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Originally posted by jimslyp69and whats wrong with a little pillage now and again? I always make a little foray into
Then there was the rack, hanging, drawing and quartering, iron maiden, pilaging and rape.
Not to mention that anyone slightly different, disabled, mentally ill and women who carried out abortionsx or who got pregnant out of wedlock were thrown into asylums. We treat murderers and rapist with more dignity nowdays.
I'd definitely say we have progressed as a civilised society. Not perfect by any means, but improving.
England at this time, just to bring some women and precious metals home, the only
thing is, their Yorkshire accents! 😛
Originally posted by robbie carrobieAhhh, you have to travel much further to discover the riches and delights of Mancunia with our refined accents and fine food. 🙂
and whats wrong with a little pillage now and again? I always make a little foray into
England at this time, just to bring some women and precious metals home, the only
thing is, their Yorkshire accents! 😛
Originally posted by jimslyp69eeh by gum lad, you could be right! I once got lost on that damnable motorway the
Ahhh, you have to travel much further to discover the riches and delights of Mancunia with our refined accents and fine food. 🙂
M65 or whatever its called, by the time i got off i was heading south rather than North!
Originally posted by robbie carrobieI think you mean the M62. the link to Yorkshire and beyond. Should never have been built I say 😛
eeh by gum lad, you could be right! I once got lost on that damnable motorway the
M65 or whatever its called, by the time i got off i was heading south rather than North!
Originally posted by jimslyp69Part of the "civilizing" of our society has resulted in a softening of our moral fibre. Cut the bollocks off all sex offenders, a life for a life for all murderers, public floggings for all thieves and petty criminals, take the TV's, computers, games consoles out of prisons, 20 years in prison means 20 years in prison, deport all foreigners who refuse to recognize our rules, laws, mores, hell-fire and damnation, hang, draw and quarter, military service, boot camps, respect for teachers in schools (by fear). Oh, I could go on, but you might think me extremist. Surely not!
Then there was the rack, hanging, drawing and quartering, iron maiden, pilaging and rape.
Not to mention that anyone slightly different, disabled, mentally ill and women who carried out abortionsx or who got pregnant out of wedlock were thrown into asylums. We treat murderers and rapist with more dignity nowdays.
I'd definitely say we have progressed as a civilised society. Not perfect by any means, but improving.
All of the above is, of course, impractical and uncivilized, but, by heck, it would achieve something!