“But I just don’t find that people are afraid like they seemed to have been in the Cold War years. Why is that?”
the same reason that 100 years ago an abortionist was considered an evil devil.
the same reason that Kevorkian would have gotten the electric chair
the same reason that 50 years ago it would have been inconceivable that someone could sue mcdonalds for their spilling coffee on ones own lap.
people will get used to Anything if it is brought upon them little by little.
that is the reason that Chazal stress the vast importance of Preishus (keeping away from that which is permitted if it could eventually bring one to Avairah)even beyond what the Rabbonim have already assured, the degree of ones preishus depending on ones madrega and ones love and fear of the RibbonoShelOlam.