Why don't I get shocked when I put something in the hot side of the outlet and hold a piece of metal in my other hand?

The circuit is not complete. Do this when you are grounded and you may be killed.

Please switch the power off before doing anything with an electrical outlet. This is not something to take risks with. You get a shock when there is a complete conducting pathway from the live terminal through you to the earth.

You have to be earthed.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.