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I'm very much fear-based, especially re political matters - I fear the rising levels of carbon dioxide; and even more, the death of the oceans from everything w
by Nomentatus 9y ago
I'm very much fear-based, especially re political matters - I fear the rising levels of carbon dioxide; and even more, the death of the oceans from everything we pour into it (including what hurricanes drag into it.) There's plenty to fear.
It's fearing something that causes far fewer deaths than asthma so much you'll throw away the rights that underpin democracy, that's what's crazy; not fear. We won't even ban artificial fragrances, re asthma, much less toss away all privacy.
- majewsky 9y agoThat's what the grandparent hinted at: > As long as we can lose fear without also losing concern, we'll be alright. I read this as fear being the emotional reaction to a threat, and concern being the rational reaction. You can say "this is a problem, what can I/we/government do to fix it?" without also having to say "OH MY GOD WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE", but it needs to be learned. (Which reminds me that the Enchiridion of Epictetus is still on my reading list.)
- Nomentatus 9y agoIf you aren't emotional about the environment, and fear isn't that emotion, that's you. The general reaction to the (utterly toothless) Paris Accord was indeed - general concern allieviated by rather meaningless blather. My reaction was increased fear for our future since nothing concrete was agreed; no penalties adhered to breaking the agreement. (Whereas trade consequences could have been tied to bad behavior.) We like to think others are acting from fear whereas we are merely concerned, other married couples argue but we "discuss", etc. The old joke about this comes from Bertrand Russell and went something like this: "I love children, you are a scout leader, they are a pederast."