Calling People Sheeple

What do you think about calling people who are nervous around knives; sheeple?

  • I think they are sheeple

    Votes: 65 39.4%

  • I do not think they are sheeple

    Votes: 33 20.0%

  • I do not agree with any of the responses

    Votes: 34 20.6%

  • Bahh

    Votes: 55 33.3%
  • Total voters
    165
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GotSteel

GotSteel

Joined
Mar 1, 2016
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I'm curious as to your thoughts on the subject, I see people from time to time referring to individuals as sheeple who might be nervous when someone takes out a knife. My opinion is that knives are tools that are frequently used as weapons and that this is a valid reaction especially to those who are less exposed to handling knives themselves or may be dealing with some sort of trauma.
 
Interesting perspective, so you believe people are afraid of the knife itself.. do you think they would be equally afraid of it if it were lying on a table in an empty room? I think that people can be unpredictable, I also think that you're confusing or equating activation of the flight or fight response with/to fear, I think it's all tied to the survival mechanism (lookup Amygdala Hijack) different animals have different proximities that they feel comfortable with then the response kicks in, throw in something that has the ability to cause physical damage (claws, knives etc) and maybe you want to give yourself a little more space if you have to react to an attack, not everyone lives in a safe environment.
 
It's situational, however if someone expresses fear, exasperation, or makes a derogatory remark about a tool that is being used as a tool then they are worthy of the term. It has nothing to do with the distance or proximity in which they feel comfortable. Many that I've dealt with over the years simply do not see the need for a knife at all, to them anything more than a butter knife is unnecessary and often times I've asked them point blank and their answer is always goes something like this... ANYONE who carries a knife on themselves is crazy or radical and a danger to society -their words not mine.

So many people today follow the popular crowd and it's opinion however misinformed it maybe- hence the term sheeple. If one cannot or refuses to think for themselves about an object or a situation they are in fact a sheeple.
 
I usually hear sheeple being used in a different context. Never heard it in the way you've described.
I think its quite immature to use it that way though.
 
Lord_Balkan said:
I can see why the temptation to use the term exists, but if you are trying to build bridges it is not really productive. I am also the type to try to get along and find common ground with people of all kinds of temperament.
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Well said!
 
name calling ain't nice, but.....

folks who are scared of tools, the legitimate use of tools, and freedom are a group and they deserve a name. so pick a new name for them. i have my own names for them, but it ain't right to say them here........
 
I think people who get nervous when someone takes out a knife (for a legitimate purpose) view knives outside of the kitchen as being only weapons. They cannot fathom why anyone would carry a knife other than as a weapon.

Because they don't personally feel a need to carry a knife, neither should anyone else. I agree it is counterproductive to call these types sheeple. They are the ones that go around asking if anyone has a knife when they realize its the tool they need for the job!... And then, they question you as to why you have a knife! :confused:

I think sheeple are the ones who will mindlessly support knife ban proposals because they think it's "for our own good" or "safety" Or my favorite.."No one needs that kind of a knife!"
 
Doesn't matter to me what it's called. I just call em' the hypnotized; the masses who listen to media politically correct propaganda and hyperbole. I don't understand why someone would even consider letting preconceived notions of how people (sheeple) might react to a certain kind of knife influence what they carry. If your buying in to that, you are probably closer to their way of thinking than you might want to believe. I'm not insensitive towards other people's feelings, but within the parameters of the laws, if I need to use a knife and pull out a large Sebby,an SMF a Mudd or whatever,then that's a watta Ima gonna do. Sorry, this one's on them.
 
Scared or nervous around tools you aren't familiar with is a sign of intelligence. You recognize the potential for harm and you know your lack of understanding of how to safely use it.

I'm amazed and how many people cringe or literally back away a step when I flip open a 3-1/2" knife :confused: that I deploy almost casually. I never flash but use the blade to do something. Usually after, I get a bit more interest in the knife which allows me to discuss its use - that it is very sharp and that I don't go a day without one.

In my younger days I have been nervous around table saws, shapers and other high speed tools. These days I can't be without them but I still take precautions and don't allow for distractions. I use a chainsaw regularly now but still need to get a grip and remind myself to keep my wits about me when I'm using it - usually on a rainy or snowy day in my back woods when burning permits are readily issued. Lots of potential there for personal damage.

Point is - I have been a sheeple too and that just makes me smart :D.

Ray
 
Scott321 said:
Instead of the long, sarcastic post I wanted to write, I'll just ask the questions "at what point is a fear of an inanimate object considered a phobia?" How do you treat a phobia?
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Criteria for a diagnosis of a specific (knife) phobia from the diagnostic and statistics manual for mental disorders:

  • The individual suffers from a persistent fear that is either unreasonable or excessive, caused by the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation
  • Exposure to the stimulus usually results in an anxiety response, often taking the form of a panic attack in adults, or a tantrum, clinging, crying or freezing in children
  • The sufferer recognizes that their fear is disproportionate to the perceived threat or danger (not always present in children)
  • Individuals take steps to avoid the object or situation they fear, or endure such experiences with intense distress or anxiety
  • The phobic reaction, anticipation or avoidance interferes with the individual’s normal routine and relationships, or causes significant distress
  • The phobia has persisted for a period of time, usually six months or longer
  • The symptoms cannot be attributed to another mental condition, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder4
I would guess that there are very few people who have a actual phobia of knives

...About the term Sheeple, my mom thought me not to call people names. I think it was good advice.
 
As others have said, I don't feel that name calling in any situation is productive. In my opinion, people who dislike knives and the fact that they're carried can be put into two categories: those that are simply unsure about and unfamiliar with the concept of someone carrying a knife everyday. These are the people who may jump a bit when you pull out a blade, and will often ask you about it. These are my favorite non-knife people. Usually, after a bit of education, these people often come around to the idea of daily knife carry. This is where understanding and maturity on the side of the knife nut becomes paramount. "Sheeple" does not seem to be an accurate term for this group, as they are usually simply unsure of this part of culture. That all being said, the second group, as I see it, are those that simply set against the idea that people should be allowed to carry knives. As a sheltered student who spends most of my time around horses and horse people, I have been fortunate to not have met many of those who are so vehemently against knives. However I know they're out there. While I still don't enjoy participating in name calling, the term would be much more accurate for this group. However, I still feel that education and respect towards this group is the only way to hopefully change their minds enough for them to be okay with us and our knives.
 
I've always considered "sheeple" to be those who accepted a given narrative with no critical thought or consideration for alternatives. Fear or dislike of something, even unfounded fear/dislike, is more of an emotional response. JMO.
 
dwdickey said:
....

So many people today follow the popular crowd and it's opinion however misinformed it maybe- hence the term sheeple. If one cannot or refuses to think for themselves about an object or a situation they are in fact a sheeple.
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This works for me. I see "sheeple" as an informal term to describe those who apprently refuse to think for themselves. I think of it as those who seem to be driven mindlessly by the latest fads.

n2s
 
Depending on the situation what one might call fear another might call due caution. I have been a knife enthusiast most my life, so I am very comfortable around them. Someone not brought up around knives is not going to be as comfortable with someone pulling a knife next to them.
I try to be as none threatening as I can, while still maintaining my right to use my knives.
 
I think the term is more political, suggesting blind/ignorant subordinanc to a disagreeable political ideology. Technically, we may all be sheeple of some sort if we have an openion that is influenced by an ideology, I guess?
 
No real dog in the fight but I do admit that when someone calls someone a sheeple I do chuckle inside a little bit.

Often times it's used to imply that one person is a leader and one is a follower when in reality it is just two individuals with different perspectives.
 
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