Reply to: When did this become a hysterical country?

[dang65]

Much of it media lead, in my opinion.

It's definitely the media, but more specifically it is 24 hour non-stop news channels. They are desperate for something to happen so they can move on from the endless loop of current stories. When Michael Jackson died, or when the unconfirmed news was starting to break, the whole thing went into that ridiculous overdrive of reporters interviewing each other while nothing happened. And it's the same for all news stories now. They have to find a dramatic angle on absolutely everything, until it's reached a point where hysteria is the default setting.

- ...and what might be the outcome of all this hysterical, round-the-clock news?

- Well, some experts believe that it will eventually lead to permanent rioting and mass slaughter as people are sponsored by the news companies to go and kick something off.

- And what do other experts think?

- Dunno, but that's what the hysterical experts think, which is the most important thing.

- Thank you. And now, the weather. Are we in for any kind of heatwave? Or a big freeze? Is it because of climate change? Oh please tell us something melodramatic...

[Mich the Tester]

"When did this become a hysterical country?"

Shortly after I left.

[lilelvis2000]

I blame Thatcher. Well someone has gotta be at fault. How else can I sue them for personal injury.

[MrMark]

By and large people carried on with their lives after 7/7, so I don't think today's generation lack moral fibre. I do think they're lazy, incompetent and stupid though.

[DimPrawn]

That would be most Cukkers disenfranchised then as you're not awistocwatic like wot I is, innit?

atotaltwatic

[sasguru]

That would be most Cukkers disenfranchised then as you're not awistocwatic like wot I is, innit?

[BrilloPad]

Phlegmatic, stiff upper lip, sang froid, restrained. All phrases used to describe the British character.
Yet starting in the 90s (with Diana's death) I noticed that things had changed - the classic response to disaster (real or potential) has now morphed into wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Imagine the panic if we faced something equivalent to the Blitz now.

Have we become too gay and feminised? Listen to old queens like CyberCock too much?

It all went wrong when we gave the great unwashed the vote. We should deny the vote to all who "read" the sun.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Much of it media lead, in my opinion.

You can hear the disappointment in the reporters voices/words when they ask things like "will 'it' become dangerous?" and the expert says "no".

Or
R: Will it become dangerous?
E: Probably not
R: Ah! so it might become dangerous???
E: Well it might but it's unlik..
(Camera cuts back to reporter - expert's mic gets turned off)
R: So there we have it! It could get [or subtly twisted to] likely to be dangerous (smug mode)

Tend to agree BTW it's "led" in that context, but does the meeja just reflect that pathetic majority that slows down to gawp at mangled people on a motorway? The Cyberghoul contingent.

[foggo]

THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR - 2009 VERSION

Nelson: "In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the main brace to steel the men before battle."
Hardy: "The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. Its part of the Government's policy on binge drinking."

"Desperate times call for desperate measures!
Jeeves, pour Mister Glossop a desperate measure."

Good policy.

[gingerjedi]

If you wrote it, genius. If you only found it, well done.

I must admit I ignored it as looked too long... until your recommendation, thanks.

[RichardCranium]

THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR - 2009 VERSION

If you wrote it, genius. If you only found it, well done.

[Not So Wise]

Basically to much influence from USA via TV/Entertainment (since the early 90's), imparting most of their failings and none of their virtues (which while being admittedly few in comparison do exist).

Many people know more about the American way of doing things (Make mountains out of molehills, call for day of morning if you step on a bug, sue everything that moves, blame everyone but yourself, care more about how much weight some soap actress lost/gained than anything else so forth) than the British way

[minestrone]

Read something, somewhere, at the weekend how the French could not give a flying one about the whole thing, on this side of the Channel we are all screaming like a bunch of gay spoon lickers, exact opposite of A Tale of Two Cities where Paris was in melt down.

[swamp]

THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR - 2009 VERSION


Admiral Nelson: "Order the signal, Hardy."

Captain Hardy: "Aye, aye sir."

Nelson: "Hold on, that's not what I dictated to Flags. What's the meaning of this?"

Hardy: "Sorry sir?"

Nelson (reading aloud): "England expects every person to do his or her duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability.' - What gobbledegook is this?"

Hardy: "Admiralty policy, I'm afraid, sir. We're an equal Opportunities Employer now. We had the devil's own job getting 'England' past the Censors, lest it be considered racist."

Nelson: "Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco."

Hardy: "Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free working environments."

Nelson: "In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the main brace to steel the men before battle."

Hardy: "The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. Its part of the Government's policy on binge drinking."

Nelson: "Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we'd better get on with it ...Full speed ahead."

Hardy: "I think you'll find that there's a 4 knot speed limit in this stretch of water."

Nelson: "Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow's nest please."

Hardy: "That won't be possible, sir."

Nelson: "What?"

Hardy: "Health and Safety have closed the crow's nest, sir. No harness; And they said that rope ladders don't meet regulations. They won't let anyone up there until a proper scaffolding can be erected."

Nelson: "Then get me the ship's carpenter without delay."

Hardy: "He's busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the foredeck, Admiral."

Nelson: "Wheelchair access? I've never heard anything so absurd."

Hardy: "Health and safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier-free environment for the differently abled."

Nelson: "Differently abled? I've only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn't rise to the rank of admiral by playing the disability card."

Hardy: "Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency."

Nelson: "Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons."

Hardy: "A couple of problems there too, sir. Health and safety won't let the crew up the rigging without hard hats. And they don't want anyone breathing in too much salt - haven't you seen the adverts?"

Nelson: "I've never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy."

Hardy: "The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral."

Nelson: "What? This is mutiny!"

Hardy: "It's not that, sir. It's just that they're afraid of being charged with murder if they actually kill anyone. There's a couple of legal-aid lawyers on board, watching everyone like hawks."

Nelson: "Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?"

Hardy: "Actually, sir, we're not."

Nelson: "We're not?"

Hardy: "No, sir. The French and the Spanish are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn't even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation."

Nelson: "But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil."

Hardy: "I wouldn't let the ship's diversity co-ordinator hear you saying that sir. You'll be up on disciplinary report."

Nelson: "You must consider every man an enemy, who speaks ill of your King."

Hardy: "Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age. Now put on your Kevlar vest; it's the rules. It could save your life"

Nelson: "Don't tell me - health and safety. Whatever happened to rum, sodomy and the lash?"

Hardy: “As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu! And there's a ban on corporal punishment."

Nelson: "What about sodomy?"

Hardy: "I believe that is now legal, sir."

Nelson: "In that case... Kiss me, Hardy

[sweetandsour]

Have we become too gay and feminised?

Maybe, but we are much better dressed.