“The only thing that I fear is fear itself,” a Formula One driver once observed.
Fear is an unpleasant emotion which we would rather forgo than experience its accompanying symptoms of terror, nervousness, panic, stress, anxiety, dismay, consternation and horror. Yet, in the fast changing pace of today’s world more and more we see the ugly face of fear looming and casting its long shadow everywhere in our daily lives.
The use of fear or its implied use by those in power is no longer a subtle thought or last resort option, it is quite often the first stratagem applied. Civil protests across the globe challenging government actions or decisions are often countered with police and or military forces which are under orders to quell the demonstrations by any means necessary. Populations threatened with the weapon of fear are now forced to contemplate carefully their intended actions before venturing out on the streets.
The word fear has now found itself attached to the title of an international bestseller, FEAR – Trump in the White House by the renowned American investigative reporter, Bob Woodward. The author’s inspiration for the title was drawn from an interview Robert Cost and Woodward conducted with the then presidential candidate Donald Trump in March 2016 at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. , where Trump provided the following quote,” Real power is—I don’t even want to use the word—fear.” Trump’s application of the element of fear to opponents – both real and perceived – and to his fellow Republicans in the House and Senate, as well, makes for an interesting case study in the wielding of power.
Social media, the alternative reality, is credited for being the source for the phenomena known by the acronym FOMO – the fear of missing out. This affliction is one that generally strikes the Millennial population who are constantly checking their phones to see if their social circle is having a good time and they are missing out on the experience. This constant state of anxiety leads to the younger generation being unable to make definitive plans whilst they are negatively comparing their lives to that of their friends who appear to be leading better lives. As simple as it sound this sad state of affairs can often lead to unhappiness and even depression, causing health officials to consider it a serious concern. As we bristle with our day-to-day activities whilst trying not to worry about potential fears perhaps we can borrow a page or two from the positive thinkers who seem to be permanently high on life whilst only seeing the good aspects life presents. They often view fear as a cautionary flag to take note of, and not to be intimidated by it, especially when it is being applied by the powers that be who seek to justify the means to the end.
Those brave enough to stand up and face the horror of fear in whichever form it presents itself should be admired and supported. Let not the fear of an uncertain future cloud our decisions. Fear not.
