>Crime as at generational (multi-generational?) lows Crime rates were much lower before about 1960, and are often argued to have been similarly low in the earl

>Crime as at generational (multi-generational?) lows Crime rates were much lower before about 1960, and are often argued to have been similarly low in the early 20th century and late 19th century. There are a variety of suggested causes, but the most obvious one is heroin, which became a drug of abuse in the '10s, disappeared during WWII, and then came roaring back. It's difficult for modern Westerners to imagine a time before heroin, but it makes sense to me that crime rates would have been lower. The feelings associated with being a good person are usually enough to motivate people to be good, but they don't hold a candle to heroin's flamethrower. This hypothesis also explains Japan and Australia's relative safety, since geography is on their side.