Culture of Fear according to Glassner SB10

Recent class discussions have focused on violence and social control and how the institutions in our lives contribute to our level of understanding or misconception that eventually becomes socialized when enough people are convinced it is truth. Symbolic interactions, such as the words we choose, harm or support each other; they are there every day, everywhere. The societal acceptance of the hidden meanings to words is what cuts so deep. But one thing that drives the negative and hurtful language is fear. A sociologist, Barry Glassner, has had a lot to say about what he calls the culture of fear. For those interested in learning more he has a 3part video called Truth-Driven Thinking that clearly explains past trends, rational and what we can do.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9O88BDVUus  We all understand the Fight or Flight reaction and why being fearful is helpful because it could save our lives when we are in danger. But Glassner’s concerns are for our fears that are for things we should not be afraid of. He explains that the overwhelming amount of fear that is promoted in the media, by politicians, by marketers and in entertainment have negative consequences. One of his biggest concerns is that we will use all of energy to focus on something that is in reality very unlikely to happen to us and avoid worrying about a true danger. He also reports that these types of fears cost billions of dollars a year. Fear can affect not only how interact with each other, treat each other and support each other, but it can greatly change our minds and affect other decisions. What we eat, if we immunize, where we travel, who we vote for and many other decisions could be based on fear. Glassner suggests when we hear these dramatic stories, mostly produced for ratings, that we ask ourselves: 1) Who benefits from this story ? (clue- who’s bringing it to you), 2) How is it promoted? “a trend, epidemic, widespread”, based on a few examples?  And 3) Why are you reacting to it really?  We all have things that frighten us, we have to step back as educated people and look at the information, the source, and the data being delivered before it changes how we think, act or react.