What Are We So Afraid Of? (TW clowns)

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Gift link www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/science/sociology-fear-uncertainty.html?unlocked_article_code=1.PU0.loJw.G_RswaFDPUZX&smid=url-share 


The survey asks adults about dozens of topics, such as nuclear war, pollution, volcanic eruptions and zombies, and then ranks the terrors in order of prevalence. Dr. Bader also studies religion and conspiracy theories, and he finds these big issues often intersect.

Is the media to blame?



The media gives us what we want: something to fear, the scary thing, the dark thing. That’s what’s going to attract our attention. Also, we have a huge confirmation bias. If you’re afraid of Trump or Hunter Biden, you’ll be attracted to information that reinforces the fear.