We Have Nothing to Fear...

I've been saying forever that people tend to fear the wrong things, statistically speaking. You're more likely to die in a car crash than a plane crash, your kid is more likely to be molested by someone well known to the family than by a stranger, and so on. Here's an interesting article on the psychology behind this phenomenon. (via the Presurfer, yet again)

Comments

[susan]

Great article! Thanks.

[Elena]

But in a car crash, God forbid, it happens in an instant and is over. In a plane crash, you could have many minutes of sheer terror knowing you're going to die! It's not the same thing. It depends on if you're afraid of dying or afraid of being afraid.

[James]

So, you're telling me I need to add Presurfer to my RSS feeds. I get the message! ;)

This article does a great job giving some of the best examples. Think of how much money has been spent (and the resulting mess) that people were OK with because it was in the name of fighting terrorism. If only that money had been spent actually making us a more stable nation. But fears are useful to those who need a lever to motivate people.

Oops - I'm getting all political.