[nuaggcch] Fear of loss of material objects

Terrorism succeeds because of our attachment to material objects.

People are material objects, for, in causing death, it is the material qualities of person which terrorism destroys, and that is what we fear.  It does not destroy the ideas the person stood for, nor the immortal soul or spirit if you believe in that.

Hypothesize that the greater a society's attachment to material objects, the importance of materialism, the more it is susceptible to terrorism.

Embedded in those material objects is a love of the status quo, and terrorism strikes the greatest fear in those who have the most at stake in maintaining the status quo, probably the rich and powerful.

Inspired by examining the terrorist attacks in America: they are no closer to killing America than the were before the attacks, no closer in killing American ideals of freedom, democracy, equality; people still believe in them as strongly as ever, at least in principle.  From that perspective, even though the physical acts may have succeeded, the political act -- which is the main purpose of terrorism -- has utterly, completely failed.  (Cynics may claim they have succeeded in a very roundabout way, TSA, Bush, etc.)

But terrorism has succeeded in changing America to the core.  Why?  Materialism.