Fear

Author: Frank Furedi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: SARS, 9/11, the Iraq War. In the 21st century, why are we so afraid? Follow American scholar Frank Furedi as he delves into the heart of the culture of fear. When the act of shaking hands is linked to the fear of infection, concerns about health inevitably connect to the gestures people use to interact and greet each other. The unnoticed consequences of the culture of fear are that it views human relationships as ways to increase danger. One unpleasant effect it produces is deepening the fear people feel when interacting with others. Gradually, people begin to view relationships, especially intimate ones, from the perspective of whether they pose a risk. The culture of fear makes people feel alienated from each other, fostering a climate of suspicion in society and preventing people from focusing on the various challenges the society faces.