The most peaceful era? Right now.

[Professor]

[kapitokrug]

Eh... the article states the obvious.

What's more intriguing is how people still obsess over violence whether in the news, movies, music, sports, or video games for entertainment. People know we live in the most peaceful era. They just want drama in their lives as an excuse to tease others into panic.

The other thing is the article ignores what "cruel and unusual" punishment really is. Everyone is not the same. Many people would say that today's world is loaded with cruel and unusual punishment because it's noisy. That is people speak so much gibberish that it's hard to focus or relax on what you want.

[The Dharma Bum]

[Professor]

[Indy]

I see your point, although it's kind of hard to let it settle in when every night there's a bunch of shootings just here in Chicago.

However, I think there's something to be said with how we're all constantly bombarded with news stories of violence which makes it seem like there's a lot more going on than actually is. Not to get all Bowling for Columbine on ya but that was the one thing I took away from that movie.

The only thing I disagree with is the relief that came with the end of the Cold War, and the threat of nuclear annihilation. Once AQ unleashed 9/11, and knowing they would nuke us in a second if they could, it was like: bring the Cold War back, LOL!

[Spider]

[OGPhilly]

[spacemonkey]

Probably in the next few decades,or sooner. Some wackjob will set off a suitcase nuke. The sheeple of the world will go OMG!! WTF!! Then demand their govt's protect them, and personal freedom will be dead. 9/11 didn't even involve nukes, but damm near put our freedom in the ICU,(creation of the patriot act).

[spacemonkey]

[eynon81]

Good thread! I agree. I think in large part that's due to many of the motives behind violence becoming obsolete or too dangerous.

In 1450 war made more sense. Lord Stark had a reasonable motivation to attack Lord Lannister; take his shit, become more powerful. War and commerce have changed this though. War is now too expensive and devastating to warrant invasions to take shit (in fact they often weaken the attacking side). And we can achieve much of those old goals via commerce.

Also greater social stability + technology means that law enforcement will come get your bandit ass if you want to become a pirate.

THERE IS ONE BIG EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE THOUGH...the drug trade. Extreme Violence still reaps massive rewards in their area, and so we still see lots of extreme violence.