Memes

We spend so much time and effort trying to disuade the people with "negative behavior" who we have discarded from our "civil society"

Where I live the grocery stores have carts whose wheels lock if you try to take them too far from the store. As if anyone trying to do that would know until they couldn't push them anymore. Thing is the store doesn't unlock them. Somehow they make it back and then they end up to front carts. People will try to use them until they realize they can't be moved. Some do get unlock, but the wheels aren't round anymore. People dragged them flattening out part of the wheel. If there are no other carts, which happens often because there are so many with locked wheels, you get to click and clack through the store with everyone looking at you like you are some kind of asshole.

There are literally hundreds of cameras. Including ones raised high on trailers in the parking lot. The same pole has blinking blue lights to simulate a police cruiser and a loud speaker reminding you the parking lot is being monitored. Back in the store as you walk in there is an electric gate and a camera and monitor. On which is writing which also reminds you you are being monitored. You have to wait to let them get a picture of you before the gate will open.

But the best of all of this. After you finish checking out your groceries as if you work there, you have to keep your reciept handy before your cart is checked by armed guards. Body armor. A gun. Not the police (as if that would make it better, but at least their job is to "protect and serve" the public) As you walk up they are usually shooting the shit with each other, and they maintain that pleasantness while they check your receipt (as if they actually are). You are at complete ease until you realize you went through a security checkpoint with a riot squad.

All of this. All. Of. This. Because our society sees it as acceptable to punish the entire public for lack of empathy for those who need it most and to prevent petty crime.