Home » November 2007 » Fear, fear and more fear...

Fear, fear and more fear...

Friday, November 30, 2007 Posted: 09:33 AM JST

This article by Carolyn Baker oozes fear. The scary part is that some of her concerns resemble some of my own views. I have told some of my best friends many times that the current state of the US reminds me of the end of the Roman Empire, while the current world situation resembles the onset of the Great Depression and the subsequent wars much more than I would like. Add to that the environmental problems that we are now facing.

Covering the natural disasters of the past few years made me realize how incredibly fragile our modern world has become. We live on a knife's edge. Compared to previous centuries, we live in the best of times health-wise, crime-wise, prosperity-wise, etc. It is natural that after every peak, there comes a downturn. The current peak has come at such enormous cost, that the downturn could be potentially devastating.

It worries me that all the problems the world is facing at the moment may come together to create a "perfect storm."

I am not the kind of person to walk around with a sign that screams, "The End is Nigh" or give in to fear. But then I read an article like this and realize that I am not the only one who sees shadows in the future. But sometimes you can see to many shadows of course. Perhaps Carolyn Baker sees too many. An e-mail buddy of mine calls Baker "a doomsayer clad in white."

Nonetheless, I feel there is fear spreading around the world. Many people feel uncomfortable about the future. Sometimes that fear seems to overwhelm me, too. Most probably because the fear-mongering media have affected me, and I can't think of anything that I can do to protect myself and the ones I love or influence things (how do you stop a potential war in Iran?).

The concerns and the problems that we are facing in the world today are all to real. But we won't make them better with fear. Fear may rouse some into action, but it could just as well force many others to stick their heads into the sand and do nothing.

As Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said, "There is nothing to fear but fear itself..."

Keywords: opinion_item

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5 comments so far post your own

♦ 1 | At 01:34am on Dec 01 2007, Steve Hall wrote:

I have often told my friends that there are 3 things that are happening at the same time: economic collapse, global warming and an energy crisis. Carolyn sums it up as the "Terminal Triangle". I have also seen it referred to as the "Perfect Storm". It is real. It will happen. The best advice I can give is to stay educated by reading alternative news sources,and articles in all areas: environment, economics, energy (especially peak oil), etc., even if you may not understand the subject fully. What is most important is your family and friends. Nurture those relationships. They will be invaluable in times of need. This is true even when there is no crisis. I am a fan of "Lord of The Rings". Frodo complained to Gandalf that he wished he had never gotten the Ring; that he wished he had not seen such terrible times. Gandalf replies: "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you need to decide is what to do with the time that you are given". Roosevelt said "There is nothing to fear but fear itself...". I think, perhaps, it can be looked at as not being afraid of fear. Use fear as a source of clarity; as a source of strength.

♦ 2 | At 08:32am on Dec 02 2007, Kjeld wrote:

Nicely said, Steve: "Use fear as a source of clarity; as a source of strength."

♦ 3 | At 10:23am on Dec 02 2007, steve laszczak wrote:

I like Roosevelts comments they are apt.What happens when a Politician mention 9/11 or terroism most people cringe and then surrender them selves up to what ever is suggested,giving people the right to take away any rights in one name or another. We are manipulated by the media by Politicians and anyone who wants an advantage. We have to ask why it is this way and then look to ourselvs we have allowed this, "But" We can change it with positive thoughts and actions they can radiate further than you can imagine.We are mired in the negative we cannot see other Countries are forging ahead regardless of the problems they have we need to do the same.

♦ 4 | At 05:41pm on Dec 02 2007, Kjeld wrote:

I very much agree, Steve. Stuff happens. However, it is not what happens to you that matters, but how you react to what happens to you. There are lots of ways that we can choose from: react defensively, aggressively, passively, and so on. But the best way is always 'constructively.'

♦ 5 | At 10:12am on Dec 05 2007, Marco wrote:

Fear is greatly instilled by the media and you might wonder whether it is not on purpose. Divide and rule has always been an effective method to rule the masses.

Fear and shock are conveniently used to push through dubious changes in our society.

Have a look at the youtube clip posted on:
http://www.naomiklein.org/main

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