# Fear, Frustration, and Violence - Societal Implications for America - Synthesis A By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2025-09-17 American society faces a significant development challenge to confront more effectively and coherently the paradoxes of facts facing us. As situated, “America has a fear, frustration, and violence problem AND this is the most peaceful time in recorded human history.” Such “ands” complicate reality and stretch human thinking. Binary oppositions can be great for forming teams, but seldom provide an effective basis for dealing with the paradoxes produced by an understanding and appreciation for an “and” rather than an “or” mindset. Of course, this entire situation falls too easily into the same trap in which there are those with an “and mindset” AND those with an “or mindset.” Each has a place in society—each producing, ascribing, and promoting paradigms and ethics incommensurate with the other. Perhaps framing the issue more precisely can help determine if an agreement can be reached. At this moment, arguably the most peaceful time in recorded human history, the general level of fear, frustration, and violence within the United States is significantly greater than it should be, given our resources. The statement has a positive and normative component. Whether today is the most peaceful time can be determined within limits. However, given all recorded human history, the distinctions observable within a given lifetime are potentially a noise level fluctuation. Or one might contest that the elements being measured are important in some contexts, and overstated in others. However contestable these “facts” are, this aspect is easier to address than the normative component. What “should be” is, by definition, open to debate. One could situate this philosophically, religiously, economically, or through any number of other frames. If our society is to address its underlying level of fear, frustration, and violence, it will likely not be based on its relative, historic position, but based on the perceived undesirability of its current position. People often conflate an issue not being a problem for oneself with it not being a problem. Problems are easy to ignore until it is impossible to do so. At which point, it is either too late or more significantly challenging to address. If our collective well-being seems too precarious, our work too ineffective, and our safety too uncertain, we have an area of social concern irrespective of our history. A desire for something better does not have to be idealistic or utopian. It can be pragmatic AND prudent. #### Related Items [[Society]] [[American]] [[Fear]] [[Mindset]] [[Facts]] [[Violence]] [[Frustration]] [[Pragmatic]]