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Fear is the root of all evil...

Posted by wilt035 • 3/27/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: big brother, blog, fear, gun control, society, terrorism, us

I recently wrote an article about gun-related violence and gun control in the US. I asked what everyone was so afraid of that they required a gun to defend themselves. I have recently attempted to answer that question. I argue that fear is peddled across society irrationally because it has a powerful emotional impact on every human. This is why it is used by governments and by advertisers to manipulate both votes and sales. The article in full can be read here: alexanderwalters.blogspot.com , and I'd like to start a debate here about the impact of fear on daily life.

User Comments

3/27/09

morgantj

Ultimately, people are afraid of the unknown. Combine this with our animal instict for survival, and you have people terrified of death. So much that they create theories of a soul, god, etc... ideas that comfort them. The idea of "God" fills in the unknowns for them, it is the "god of the gaps." Don't know something, just throw out "god did it." The idea of a soul that allows you to live beyond death comforts their fear of death.

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3/27/09

EeHai

Fear if used positively may help one to stay on course and not deviate from the improper. Fear can also help by "forcing" us to improve. This is so as not to fall back in line compared to others. Thus thinking on the bright side and used properly, fear may be a friend.

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1. 3/27/09
  
  morgantj
  
  Yes, it is practically neccessary to our survival, it allows us to back off or become defensive when presented with danger.
3/27/09

MadameX

People are afraid because we now live in a world where most people's interests are averse to one another's. Yes, fear is a marketing tool and it's "sold" very effectively, but it didn't come out of nowhere--it springs from the fact that most people no longer care how much harm they do to another person so long as they get what they want. When we can't expect basic human decency from one another, it's only sensible to be afraid.

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3/27/09

angelshair

I believe that people are manipulated based on their fears. As you say politiciens does it, advertisers, and also many religions and cults.They create the fear, and then use it.
Do you know that you are in danger??? The only way to protect yourself is to have a gun.
Do you know that there's millions of bacterias in your kitchen? The only way to protect yourself is to buy our antibacterial product.
Do you know that you might go to hell for eternity? The only way to protect yourself is to go to church.

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3/27/09

eJaya

No Sorry. Lust or desire due to the ignorance is the root of all evil

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3/27/09

ariwat

I believe fear is a necessary survival tactic just as morgantj does. I don't think it's the root of all 'evil', though, evil is an ambiguous term. Nevertheless, I think some people do things out of fear to protect themselves or their families and ultimately end up harming another person - perhaps an innocent. Usually harm caused by fear is unintentional. However, as eJaya said, harm caused by ignorant desires, or even desires in general, can cause many intentional harms or... 'evil'... whatever one happens to call it.

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3/27/09

SaintSeanzy

Again with the kittens... For real these posts!

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1. 3/27/09
  
  ariwat
  
  Um. What?
3/27/09

SaintSeanzy

Exactly my point.... What?... Ehhh

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1. 3/27/09
  
  ariwat
  
  Oh! Okay. So that was your point.
3/27/09

jackpayne

Valid theories on fear are as thin as an Amish Phone Directory.

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1. 3/27/09
  
  morgantj
  
  And what about theories on the theories of fear, are they as thin as an Amish Phone Directory too?