The United States of Paranoia

A Foreword:

To everyone in the Northeast, or wherever the huge snow/ice storm is hitting, I hope you guys are safe. I, myself, have decided to take tomorrow off from work due to the weather, and most of my co-workers made that decision before they even left today.

Now to business. Before you go off and read this wall of text, it is not about a New World Order attempting to enslave us all...it is not about a Reptilian plot to usurp humanity into slavery, which if they were so powerful wouldn't they have done so already? It is not about the Bush/Cheney/Illuminati plot to make the U.S a military police state. It is not about an alien agenda to test humans...wouldn't that be easier with a full scale invasion, instead of using government channels? In any case, I have no doubt there is probably some crazy idea that's been circulating around the rich and powerful *cough* bankers *cough*, as I think we have seen evidence of that with the credit and economic crisis. No, my fellow truth seekers, this is strictly about the state of paranoia that has been created in our (formerly) great United States of America.

My Story:

I am not usually one to go crazy, but this is going too far. I recently moved into a new apartment complex, just south of Pittsburgh, PA, and I want to see if any of you other apartment dwellers have experienced anything like this.

I live in a building with approximately 7 other occupants. There are 3 floors, 2 apartments per floor, all single-bedroom, with a middle-aged couple that lives on the 3rd floor. The woman across the hall from me, is 55 years old, let's call her "Occupant X." I am 24 years old, I am a Marketing Manager at a publishing company, and I consider myself a spiritual person. I can sense when people are uneasy, or just plain upset, angry, etc. Last week, after the Pittsburgh Penguins blew a game to the Carolina Hurricanes, I escorted a friend out of my apartment to her car. Upon coming back upstairs, and beginning to wind down for the evening, there was a faint knock on my door. Occupant X was there, and at first appearance seemed like a very nice person. She introduced herself, and then asked (in a not-so-nice tone) if I could shut my door more quietly, and walk down the stairs quietly. I nearly laughed at walking down the stairs quietly and replied "Um...that's how I walk." She expressed her distaste to my response at which I said "Ok listen, I have to work at 8:00" and the fact that I didn't appreciate the interruption of me attempting to catch some much needed Z's. She apologized promptly and let me go. Since then I've watched how I "shut my door" attempting to do it black-ops style, and have walked down the stairs as quietly as possible.

I am a smoker. It's not a fact that I am proud of, but it exists none-the-less. I catch a smoke about every 1 and a half hours, 2 hours. Last night, I was relaxing watching some TV and went out for a smoke. As I went out, I looked up at her window randomly and noticed a hand moving amongst the blinds, and Occupant X peeking out as if to see who was outside. At first, I thought it was normal curiosity. When I walked back from the backside of my apartment, I noticed she was still standing there as if she was waiting to see when I re-entered my apartment. This bothered me. I went back up and continued to watch my evening programming. After surfing ATS and some other message boards that I do during the evening hours, I went out for another smoke. As I walked outside, I repeated the steps I had done earlier in the evening. There she was again, watching me. Annoyed, and sort of freaked out to be honest, I waited behind the building, in a blind spot from her dining room and bathroom. I walked again to the front, and she was STILL THERE, waiting to see when I re-entered my apartment. This really upset me.

Which brings me to tonight. I haven't even smoked yet, but I wanted to test my hypothesis. After doing what I had done the previous night, I noticed she did the exact same thing! She was watching me, and I assume she watches others to see who's exiting the building. My point is if this was an apartment complex with more than 7 people, I would understand these actions. But honestly, when I hear footsteps, I don't rush to my window to see who's walking outside. I don't care who's entering or who's exiting, provided my door is locked, and nobody can bother me.

She is an older person, 55 years I gauge, and understand she grew up in an age where Communists were around the corner, and everyone who wore red was the enemy. But post 9/11, how does this differ? Racial Profiling was, and probably still is, at an all time high. We see it in pop-culture, we hear it daily from our co-workers, bosses. To me, the United States is paranoid. We all seek the enemy, and sense the enemy (whoever that may be) around the corner.

Whoever wanted to instill fear inside of us, utterly succeeded. Now I bet you are asking yourself how can you prove this off of one, possibly crazy, woman who lives next to you? With that I reply, the last time I attempted my experiment I shut my door with no sound. I descended the stairs in my apartment with absolutely no sound. She had to be watching to see my exit the last time, and yet there she was, watching me still. I've been thinking about confronting her, but I don't really have time to bother with that, as I am here posting this . What I want, is to create a discussion where we talk about different paranoid people we've encountered, and the nature of paranoia itself. It is a disorder that many people suffer from, hell even myself! From this point on, I will constantly be seeing if she is still watching me, just for the hell of it! It just sickens me that our country has become this way. I'm sure other nations don't suffer from this.

What I Want:

Please post your replies, if you've actually stuck with this the entire way through. A civil discussion, as per ATS terms, about the nature of paranoia, and how it could possibly effect the future of this country. I think this is important for all of us to chime in on, I mean...how would you like it if your neighbors were always watching you?

I'm not so sure she's paranoid as much as lonely and bored.Assuming she's single. From what you stated she sounds like she is and if she is, she's bored to death. This just gives her something to do and make her feel like she exists and has a life. Some life, huh?

I live in a 2 family house and had some guy and his family just move in. He has 2 kids in college(home on weekends). 2 days in and he knocks on my door and complains about a vibration. He claims he can't sleep because of it. I told him it's my fan and I can't sleep without it. I've been using it since I was a kid (all year long). I tried to put blankets and rubber mats under it and he said it was better.

Next day he tells me after 10:30 I need to lower my tv, and my landlord calls and tells me my kids are running around all night. They're in bed by 8:00 for school.I waited till 11:00 pm and went down to wake him up, and ripped him a new hole. i pay rent and will do what I want and told him to do the same.

Don't get me wrong,I'm very considerate (don't drink, smoke, use drugs or even have friends over). I try to coexist but am realistic that when you move into a place where others live, you can't expect to mold them to your liking. You should expect inconveniences when living with others. Good thing is after I ripped him a new one, I have never even seen hime again. He exits the side door to avoid me.

I tell ya, some people really have a big set with their expectations.

[edit on 27/1/2009 by Revealation]

Honestly, this is what I needed to hear. Thank you.

Though, I am not the aggressor, I completely understand where you are coming from. The maintenance man, who has handled my apartment complex for some 10 years now, told me prior to moving in that the woman across the hall had made problems for a former tenant who lived above her (not in my apartment.) She had accused him of smoking marijuana, and on several occasions the police from my township had searched his place, producing no results.

People have had problems with her before, the only problem I have is the fact that she, A.) Lied to me about the woman below complaining about me walking down the stairs (which I have confirmed as of 9:00 PM tonight after asking the person who lives below me if she has ever heard me close my door or walk down the stairs), and B.) The fact that she is always watching where I go.

All in all, I don't think it's so much as boredom as it is sheer paranoia. I am a young man (immediate college stereotype), and she doesn't know that I have a career ahead of me, and am involved in a very professional and successful corporation, one that I place as a high priority.

The main problem I have is the lying. In any case, I will continue to monitor this situation, and have as much fun as humanly possible without bothering anyone.

[edit on 27-1-2009 by DocEmrick]

Hey, doc. hope all is well.

My grandma is the same way- slightly paranoid. I think it's due to old age and being alone. There's some kind of necessity in them to keep track of who's around.
Old age for single/widowed women, in their eyes, i think makes them a target. she doesn't like me to drive or go anywhere after dark, and reminds me to keep careful guard when at shopping malls, etc.

all the stuff they show on the news doesn't help, either. media has succeeded in making people feel utterly vulnerable, even in their own homes.

honestly, i don't think the woman means you any harm, she might even feel a little ashamed, or silly.

and as for the noise- my grandma jumps at a telephone ringing at 3 o'clock in the afternoon; skittish, frightens easily. has excellent hearing.
your neighbors might be the same, and gets scared at late night noise. ( ie. a possible burglar, or someone in trouble).
and to boot, the elderly are nosy. they like to know their neighbors well, even if they have to watch them.

either way, i doubt she means harm.

Originally posted by DocEmrick
I've been thinking about confronting her, but I don't really have time to bother with that,..."

Perhaps try waving to her and then motioning in a suggestive manner for her to come out and join you for a smoke.

Should at least initiate conversation.

Then you can stop this paranoia-spell you're having.

reply to post by FewWorldOrder


if she were 30 years younger, I probably would. However...she's not. And your last line brings me to my point, the United States of Paranoia...she has me paranoid over her own paranoia!

reply to post by DocEmrick


Wow, paranois is rampant here.

You built an entire thread from a woman watching you.

Ok...

I notice you brought in the racial profiling aspect. I never considered that paranoia just racism. I wonder if the racisim was on your part or hers.

I will watch this thread with a smile and interest.

Excellent. You've basically caught on to the original point, albeit hidden.

Who's more paranoid, me or her?

Exhibit A.) She's been watching me exit/enter my apartment

Counterpoint A.) If I have ever heard her exit her apartment, have I ever watched her? Findings are inconclusive, as I've never heard her exit/enter her own apartment

Exhibit B.) I've been watching her window, when outside, to see if she's been watching me

Counterpoint B.) Could this be considered paranoia on my part? Or counter-intelligence?

Excellent discussion, exactly the point I was trying to make. Thanks.

You should throw a fancy dress party round your flat . Theme of the party being Osama Bin Laden lookalikes . She sees all these Bin Ladens coming through the front door it might scare the bajeezus out of her enough to never look out the window again.

[edit on 27-1-2009 by Gun Totin Gerbil]

As for the Racial Profiling, I was trying to make the paranoia point more relevant on a broad spectrum.

For example, when young kids (who lived through 9/11) walk down a street and see a person who they think is of Middle Eastern descent do they react negatively to him, even to this day? I for one have not heard as much of this as I did immediate post 9/11.

Even at airports, how are people screened? I remember hearing Lewis Black, who is Jewish, saying that he was once "randomly chosen" for searching at an airport. Obviously Jewish people may appear as Islamic individuals. It's all relevant, I was just using it to drive home the point of paranoia. Not that I care one way or another, I just want to live in peace.

welcome to the year 2013.

reply to post by Gun Totin Gerbil


Funny you mention this, a Marine LCPL I used to know dressed up as Osama Bin Laden last Halloween. When I saw him at a bar, I almost approached him and told him how distasteful the costume was (not knowing it was my friend). Luckily, before I got drunk and called him out, he approached me and let me know who he was, etc. As for others, I'm not sure I can say the same.

Thought I'd love to throw a party here, I'm afraid it would bother the other neighbors who reside here. Except for the single young female who lives upstairs

reply to post by Doomsday 2029


This video...is exactly what I am getting at. Now any insight you have would be awesome.

I fear this is where we are headed...stuff like this. Thanks for posting this!

you said there are 8 occupants total 7 and you
then you say there's 3 floors with 2 on each level

3x2=6 where's the other 2 apts.

i don't know how i caught that,,, usually i'm oblivious but i was reading trick questions the other day


seems there's always one crazy in each apt. complex

my grandma has a neighbor like that,,,,she's the "unpaid" neighborhood security guard

she knows every car that comes and goes and everyone's business

if i walk outside to have a smoke she's in the window watching,,,,,so i wave,,,,then she backs slowly away from window,,, still watching from where i can't see her

it really bothers me too!!!!

I thought I said 7 occupants...if not let me correct myself before we get too deep.

There are 3 floors, 2 apartments per floor

1st Floor
Apartment 1) 1 Old Lady
Apartment 2) 1 Middle-Aged Man
Apartment 3) Occupant X
Apartment 4) Myself
Apartment 5) Young Lady
Apartment 6) Middle Aged Couple (2)

That leaves me with 7 occupants yes?

reply to post by DocEmrick


Look... I'm surronded by Zombies in my daily life...

I too am a smoker, and a spiritual person... and I can read people's emotions like a book (that's why I have a hard time looking at people in the eye, I don't want them to read me.)

You are a very observant person.

You understand your surroundings.

The fact of the matter is you don't know this woman... and it shouldn't be important to you unless it becomes a problem.

Maybe she is paranoid and likes to know what's going on out side her front door... or maybe she is soooooo lonely that she is dying for some kind of attention and needs to see other people going about thier lives. Old women get like that. She more than likely isn't paranoid... She is just so bored with her life that she wants to see what is going on in your life.

I don't know... I haven't met this lady... but understand that at the age of 55 (especially in 2009) a few screws start to come loose on the brain.



My advice... Be as friendly to her as you can... conversate with her... and then you will get your answer...




I posted that video in response to the title of your thread... I didn't read your post at that moment.

Good points, Doomsday.

I've never lived near an elderly person, so maybe this is something I just need to adjust to.

As for the video, it demonstrates the paranoia of people when regarding something as trivial as inanimate and non-living, bike-gears. How far-fetched would it be for people to demonstrate paranoia towards a living, breathing human?

reply to post by DocEmrick


We are living in a state of paranoia... trust me, you are right... I lived a life of paranoia for about a year or two.

I quit smoking pot.... it's not that I'm against smoking pot (it is still illegal tough)... I just think in my case weed made my mind start to race at a speed I was not ready to controll.

I can remember the day I watched Loose Change for the first time... That's what got my blood boiling... A few months later after I did non stop research I became a little paranoid myself. I saw a car drive past my house one day that looked suspicious and I would freak out....

those days of paranoia are over for me. Because if you want to ask anybody about paranoia... you can direct those questions at me. you can U2U me.

I once was paranoid on a level that I thought I was on the Truman Show.



Paranoia can get this country... I think it's already gotten us. It got me for a brief moment in my life but that's only because I realized everything I had learned my entire life was basically a lie... that can make a man paranoid --- when he starts wake up.

First of all, I am 54 and not at all elderly nor losing any of my wits or mentality. Secondly, the lady could have a number of maladies such as being neurotic, paranoid and certainly we don't know what she has had to deal with in her lifetime. She is suspicious of you and that makes you uncomfortable. Are you really paranoid?

I agree the people of the U.S. are becoming paranoid of the police, the government, co-workers and anyone who they do not know especially if they enter your social circle at random.

Is it any wonder, we are constantly bombarded with conspiracy, college massacres, "terrorism" of an unknown kind maybe orange or yellow, prophecy and the middle east raging wars. We live a constant barrage of fear and fear tactics and we seek information worrying about what the future holds.

I can't remember which forum it was but someone was asking what (seriously) could we do to keep the government from controlling our every move.

I believe to distance oneself from the government in any way possible would be the first move. Quit using the card system, ATM, VISA, etc. they can and do profile you through these things. I know it wouldn't be easy because Americans are spoiled and stressed. Then try to be more independent of the corporations, and buy locally, grow a garden and simply just slip out of the system as much as you can. Then the banks can't quite keep you in check (no pun intended) and fees and interest rates that fluxuate. One more thing, don't take concealed weapons classes, they will have your name and address to pick up your firearm.

I just wanted to say that piece because I couldn't find the right forum.
sorry

I just cant stop wondering how people use the medical terms they dont even know the meaning of. Even wikipedia could help if you had tried to look "paranoia" there.
the more ignorance the more money to the quack psychiatrists...

\and I consider myself a spiritual person. I can sense when people are uneasy, or just plain upset, angry, etc.\
what does "spiritual" have to do with your plain sensitivity?
start analyzing from this and you will undesrtand that the problem is in you, your hypnoability, not in the people around...




[edit on 28-1-2009 by Russi]