I think this is true and very valid criticism against these point "ancient civilizations" had allegedly figuered out, but I do believe that the strive to more safety/control is indeed making people crazy. Not a bit excentric, but batshit accute insane crazy.

There is no rational evaluation of real dangers and this irrationality is one, if not the most prominent, driving factors for policy. Hell, people are scared because of tweets and mass surveillance is implemented with justifications an occult voodoo mom would get a red face for.

What do you expect to get from police checks in front of schools? And people wonder about school shooters? Seriously?