Fra/ctu\red?

I was listening to the radio the other night and they had a guest speaking about our 'fractured society'. Issues such as the lack of respect towards others and sheer rudeness many of us experience from our fellow members of society was discussed. They were talking of possible reasons as to why the sociability of humans has changed over time and how helping others was once a given, but is now more rare. An example of how once upon a time we could leave our houses and cars unlocked and think nothing of it, now we have a lot of crime in the form of robberies and the majority would never think of leaving their house unlocked. I think it has become a sad world when we can no longer rely on others within out community. But is this really true or is the media focusing on the rare events that occur, from which thoughts of a 'bad society' snowball? Following from this, Australia then becomes quite sad from all of this negativity. I began to examine my own thoughts on why it is that our culture and society seems to be 'fractured' and/or divided like it is.

Point 1)I think possibly economics plays a role. The price to live these days is much higher relative to our wage. People are much more focused on finances. I feel that we have adopted a 'look after yourself' cut throte mentality, which affects the people we become and the things we do. Are people unhappy because of finances and increased crime?

Point 2)Is Australia as a society unhappy at all? Has depression amongst Australians increased-or is it simply that reported cases of depression have increased? I think the Media has something to answer for: the media guids our society; in a way it indicates or dictates what is acceptable within society by what and what isn't published. Is it putting us into some state of unhappinessby reporting on increased crime, fractured societies, mental illness; or is it a beat up?

I realise that we have been discussing the social self, culture and the like, so whether or not this fits into this subject I am unsure, but i feel that the media in some way plays a role in forming our social self, our cultre, our society.

What are your thoughts guys?

I also found this page: a bit of interesting reading: "Reasons for optimism in modern Australia"
http://www.abc.net.au/nightlife/stories/s1951392.htm

Test

Just doing another test...or a first test if the other one didnt work out and no one knows about the first one! once this works i will attempt to write something exciting and social psych related....stay tuned....

i'm really not sure what i'm doing!

title states the obvious