Shock horror! Headlines often describe things as shocking. In conversation we often talk about being shocked. Is this just hyperbole, a clichéd figure of speech? I like to think I'm unshockable, but I'm not sure if I really am. Is there anything - anything at all - which is really, genuinely shocking (no, I don't mean electric shock or surgical shock)?
Who was that hideous Welsh rock singer who was put away for getting his female fans to let him have sex with their babies. Isn't that shocking - just a bit? Or would you have to see the video rather than read about it? Would I look at a jihadist beheading video? Nope. I'd find that shocking. That's just two things - I bet I could come up with a whole host of them, but I'm going to bed.
I think 'shocking' is now just a different word for 'despicable'. I would be genuinely shocked if Sarah leaves me (that will also be really shit), but cases like Fritzle/Hall/Harris/Saville are just horrible, not shocking.
Shocking is a misused word in my opinion, as are many by the media. Despicable and disgusting are more appropriate. Anything involving harm to kids and people who cannot defend themselves is something I abhor and find "shocking"
headlines tend to depress me not shock me, that's life for you. the older you get the less surprised you become by the actions of man.
Something you read or see in a newspaper Pete? or something in life you see with your own eyes. If you have the slightest shred of compassion or 'feelings' in that context then something is bound to shock you at some time. Any soldier could tell us first hand that they might think they dealt with what they saw but it's nearly always internalised only to 'come back and get you later'.
With the kind of regard I have for humanity, very little if anything shocks me. Apart from maybe those very rare moments when you work on the bike and it all goes swimmingly.
Anyone can be desensitised if subjected to something they once thought shocking if subjected to it enough times
