The relationship between fear, anxiety and morality is always at play in society. R.D. Laing once said we fear our own minds, death and other people. Friedrich Nietzsche claimed "the history of our morality is the history of our fear". Governments take liberal advantage of our fears of what may eventuate. Environments of cultural and moral panic have been cultivated by government rhetoric and media sensationalism for decades.

Whilst many issues do deserve increased scrutiny, closer examination of source material often indicates little or no change and regular media driven campaigns. Recent data in Australia indicating an ongoing and increasing culture of alcohol and drug abuse is presently attracting attention.

Yet the claims made in media for opportunistic reasons often take the form of outright deception void of facts or of clever "reader poll" urgency. Aussie P.M. Kevin Rudd wants to discuss present concerns at the "historic ideas summit", drawing both support and skepticism. Bernard Keane wrote in Crikey that the current coverage serves to boost funding chances for institutions and sustain a tone of moral panic in the media.

Figures indicate little difference in consumption over 10 years apart from a drift toward spirits. However, these stats don't reflect the change in culture, night clubbing and the growth of "super clubs". Perhaps the changes in the way we socialise with alcohol and the high numbers of young adults partying together contribute to a rise in alcohol and drug fueled media stories.

Do we panic as per instructions? Are we remotely skilled at placing data in context? Exactly what role do government and media play in setting our mood? Perhaps we devote too much energy to crises we will never experience. Perhaps a harsh look at alcohol abuse will serve to debunk the misinformation we are fed on illicit drug use.

    Firesnake looks at these issues and awards a CPDCT award to The Herald Sun for it's absurd "poll" of cleverly manipulated and deceived readers who are force fed invented imperatives on AFL drug policy. Congratulations to the Pulp and Print Court for a score of 8.4 out of 10. A Clear and Present Danger to Critical Thought indeed. Despite crafting the entire sham, then publishing how stupidly misled readers are the editors forgot over 22 leaders in the field of substance abuse had praised the AFL policy only weeks before;

“…for resisting the pressures from populist quarters to use such issues for partisan ends. Such populist approaches ignore the mass of evidence that humane harm minimisation and treatment approaches to issues of illicit drug use are far more effective at diminishing drug-related harm to the individual and the community than are punitive 'name and shame' approaches�?. 
[Source: Page 4.]

All articles of interest are here.
Music thanks to Garageband.

Gags.


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