'Wypipo' Explained

[Caliman73]

268. Shock indeed.

There are definitely positives and negatives to the instantaneous transmission of information. The positives are exactly what you describe, people are being awakened from their bubbles where the idea of a "post racial" or egalitarian society was the truth. They see the hundred or so incidents (likely more) that are captured on someone's cell phone and if they choose to, see the pattern that belies their ideas.

The negative aspect is that it is much easier to sell fear for those who choose to sell it. Crime rates may actually drop 20% over a 5 year period, but if coverage of those decreasing crime rates goes up by 400%, it may seem that our society is coming apart at the seems and it serves to isolate us from one another. The reality is the my kids are likely safer than I was growing up, even being out on the street playing with their friends, but it is difficult to convince my family and friends of that because some kid in New York got kidnapped a few weeks ago. So, my kids end up having to stay inside rather than playing on their bicycles with their friends.