Barry Glassner calls on Americans to face down ‘the culture of fear’
What’s your advice for someone faced with “fear-filled” news?
If I can point to one thing, it’s this: Ask yourself if an isolated incident is being treated as a trend. Ask if something that has happened once or twice is “out of control” or “an epidemic.” Just asking yourself that question can be very calming. The second (suggestion) is, think about the person who is trying to convey the scary message. How are they trying to benefit, what do they want you to buy, who do they want you to vote for? That (question) can help a lot.
In terms of economic fears, even statistics are frightening — unemployment figures, for example. Some sources find them encouraging, others discouraging. Who’s right?
What you can do in that case is try to find a source that doesn’t have a stake one way or another. So, for example, in scares about diseases and medical situations that are posted all over the Internet, go to a scientific source — the Centers for Disease Control is a good one.