I was thinking this morning about what makes me recoil from certain media messages. I realized that I am immediately skeptical of anything that seems to be designed to induce fear. So many "news" articles, blogs, and television stories slant their stories to induce fear in the consumer of that "news". Why has fear- mongering become so popular? I believe this tactic has become prevalent because it is effective.
When people are afraid, they will quickly and without much thought consume whatever solution is offered to them to allay the fear. Fear of obesity makes it easy to sell weight loss supplements and surgical procedures. Fear of being perceived as ugly or undesirable makes it easy to sell anything from perfume and clothing to cars. Fear of death makes us eager to pass laws that give us a false sense of security in an unpredictable world.
Whatever the issue, I am always wary if the language being used seems designed to induce fear. I am not going to allow fear to dominate the way I walk in the world.
When people are afraid, they will quickly and without much thought consume whatever solution is offered to them to allay the fear. Fear of obesity makes it easy to sell weight loss supplements and surgical procedures. Fear of being perceived as ugly or undesirable makes it easy to sell anything from perfume and clothing to cars. Fear of death makes us eager to pass laws that give us a false sense of security in an unpredictable world.
Whatever the issue, I am always wary if the language being used seems designed to induce fear. I am not going to allow fear to dominate the way I walk in the world.