Angst in America

Angst means fear or anxiety (anguish is its Latinate equivalent, and anxious, anxiety are of similar origin). The word angst was introduced into English from Danishangst via existentialist Søren Kierkegaard. It is used in English to describe an intense feeling of apprehension, anxiety or inner turmoil. The term Angst distinguishes itself from the word Furcht (German for "fear") in that Furcht is a negative anticipation regarding a concrete threat, while Angst is a (possibly nondirectional) emotion, though the terms are colloquially sometimes used synonymously

Existentialism

Existentialist philosophers use the term "angst" with a different connotation. The use of the term was first attributed to Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855). In The Concept of Anxiety (also known as The Concept of Dread, depending on the translation), Kierkegaard used the word Angest (in common Danish,angst, meaning "dread" or "anxiety") to describe a profound and deep-seated spiritual condition of insecurity and fear in the free human being. Where the animal is a slave to its instincts but always conscious in its own actions, Kierkegaard believed that the freedom given to people leaves the human in a constant fear of failing his/her responsibilities to God. Kierkegaard's concept of angst is considered to be an important stepping stone for 20th-century existentialism. While Kierkegaard's feeling of angst is fear of actual responsibility to God, in modern use, angst was broadened by the later existentialists to include general frustration associated with the conflict between actual responsibilities to self, one's principles, and others (possibly including God). Martin Heideggerused the term in a slightly different way.

I think the comments of late show the "angst" that many American's feel. We are not just mad at the puppeteers, now we are turning us against ourselves. No free lunches because I work hard and I don't get any. Do you ever wonder what does America stand for these days? I sure as hell don't know. Is it really any surprise that the Chinese are buying up US companies with all the money they loaned us? Didn't we give it freely to them as we shopped till we dropped at Walmart and Target buying Chinese crap?


We buy Asian everything. Cell phone, flat screen tvs, cars, you name they will make it for a lot less. Manufacturer's have no choice or go out of business based on price. In Europe, which is also a financial mess they at least have humane social programs and accept higher taxes. We have lower taxes and an inhumane social safety net.


American's are saving 10's of thousands for their childrn's education when it is becoming more apparent that a college education is oversold and overpriced. One billionaire (who started Pay Pal) is paying 100k to smart kids to drop out of college and pursue their ideas (see Sunday's 60 minutes show).


Are you mad that people get food stamps and other public assistance or Medicaid because they are poor or use the ER as the only access to healthcare that they have? Imagine what would happen if these paltry social programs were not available. Ever wonder now that they are winding down the wars where these trained killers are going to find jobs or how they will socially fit back into our society. Many have lost businesses, families and limbs. Think there may be a little resentment there?


This is not the case in Europe, Australia and Canada. They seem to be a more civilized people and we live a more a dog eat dog lifestyle. IMHO it's one of the reasons crime is so high and we have so many people in jail. We don't feel connected to each other. Why work when it is easier to take from someone else? It's everyone for themselves and I cannot blame American's for feeling this way as they think their jobs are going overseas or to illegal Mexicans. How about all the car manufacturing that went to Canada? No resentment that I have heard about that.

So life goes in America on and the blame game continues as our angst grows more each day.