This morning I had the news on in the background and I had to turn it off. Between the shark and alligator attacks I finally lost it when a man got hit by a car and people robbed him while he was lying in the road.
I too was hit as a pedestrian. I was lying on the road inches aways from car tires rushing by my bleeding head. At least I wasn’t robbed!
The reporter kept mentioning that it was a hot summer and therefore would be a crime-filled summer. Does hot equal violence and crime?
I decided to look it up. Here’s an excerpt from the first article I found:
Tracking ambient temperature and crime rates, a Finland study used nearly two decades of data to identify a possible connection between them. Researchers found that temperature changes were responsible for 10 percent of fluctuations in the nation’s crime rates — a 1.7 percent increase in criminal activity for each degree centigrade rise in the temperature. More specifically, the study found that increased serotonin levels resulting from high temperature likely contributed to increased impulsivity and a higher risk of crimes.
https://online.vwu.edu/news/environmental-studies/weather-and-crime/
The reasons why hot weather equals an increase in crime included more opportunity. In freezing winter climates, there aren’t as many opportunities for crime. The other reason was that hot weather increases aggression.
I turned off the TV after I started to feel anxious. I don’t need all this sensationalist selling of soap in my life. I’ve got a busy week and want to have a positive outlook.
What are your thoughts about hot weather and crime? Do you think they are related? Does a heat wave make a crime wave? Do people get “hot under the collar?”
Agree, also the news repeats the same sad/scary stories over and over. It’s no wonder there is more crime, we start to believe that is our way of life. If there were happy stories, people helping each other, hiring people, students studying getting awards, etc. I really think our world would change for the better! Sad situation. I don’t watch the news anymore. I merely check in quickly each day to make sure there was not a huge disaster somewhere.
You are absolutely correct. The news can affect our outlook on life.
I read that: I believe it was in New York in the upper part of the Bronx. Glad you were okay. I feel there is a correlation between heat and crime wave. I read the NY Post in the late afternoon, not morning and I limit the time.
It was in the Bronx. I was in college at the time I got hit. I had to go home for six months to recover from my injuries. But it could have been worse!
Having lived in the City, I always look at where the crime occurred although all bets are off lately with the last 2 years.
Everything has changed, that’s for sure.
I think there is truth in this article.
I do too. There are more studies in it that verify the one I posted.
Heat plays it’s part in heating up the tempers.
Ugh that’s awful..news is very negative so much of the time, I’d love to see a long “good news” segment as well as well as ways for people to get more involved in their communities in positive ways. Maybe more people are out and about in hot weather..so more crime?
Good news would be a nice change! Yes, that is one of the reasons for more crime. More people are out in warmer weather.
Heat may be a factor, but just add it to the long list of other factors that influence crime rates. Even when we do find a smidgen of good news it’s quickly overshadowed by something negative.
That is so true. They report an uplifting story followed by a bunch of awful news.
Ah shit…another thing for criminals to blame for their antisocial behaviors. How long before a “bad guy” attorney builds that into the defense of his client? Maybe create a new psychological disorder. We can call it “Warmelogical brain trauma”, and allow for SS disability and everything! I mean, it is New York and all.
I llke that. “warmelogical brain.”
I believe the media is playing a big part of a lot of the anxiety, depression and hopelessness people are experiencing right now. The saying, if it bleeds, it leads, seems to be very true. I try NOT to listen to the news very much anymore because it was impacting my outlook on life in a negative way. There may be merit in this article, and combined with some of the crime and (non)punishment decisions made by some cities, I’m not surprised when crime spikes. Let’s all turn off the news and go out and look for opportunities to make a positive difference! 💜
Hey….I just read this on another blog. Very timely.
https://www.ellenmiller.com/blog-1/2bxt48xs269sr9pelnmhylbl4j2kzc
I have family members suffering since the pandemic with anxiety and depression. I think it’s taken a toll on us all. I heard Ray Bradbury speak several times and his advice was “garbage in, garbage out. Turn off the news. Read the Bible, an essay and a poem every day.”
Thank you for your comment and sharing!
There’s so much going wrong with my country that I’ve stopped listening to the news. Can’t even avoid some of the more sensationalist headlines when I’m on Facebook, so I’ve cut that down too. I can totally see how it can screw with your anxiety. Good news is that life on the ground is oftentimes more pleasant than what the news would like you to think. Sending you good vibes!
Thank you!
Well, the study has merit, but I would take it with a block of salt. I expect locale and many cultural cues play a part. Turning off the news would probably be a big help, too.
I agree with turning off the news.
I’m not sure. It’s always hot in Florida, so I’ll have to check to see if we have higher crime rates than other states.