In the perpetual dance of political theater, fear reigns supreme, a master puppeteer pulling the strings of the electorate. Like a shadowy figure of society, politicians craft tales of terror – a “far-right” politician, climate change, immigrants, capitalists, terrorists – weaving nightmares to ensnare the minds of voters. This is the age-old recipe for power: concoct a fear, magnify it, then pose as the savior, the knight battling the dragon of societal woes.
Thinking becomes futile in this game; emotion is the currency, and fear the commodity traded. Political rivals are painted as architects of these fears, a boogeyman lurking behind every societal ill. Yet, when the victors ascend their thrones, the fears often dissipate, not because they were addressed, but because they were illusions, mirages in the desert of political discourse.
The antidote to this pervasive fear lies in awareness, in stepping out of the shadows and into the moonlight of understanding. For example Tim Ferriss created "fear setting" as a tool to dissect and dismantle these manufactured terrors. For in fear, critical thinking withers; like prey fleeing a predator, the mind resorts to primal instincts, neglecting reason and logic.
This manipulation is not limited to the political arena. It pervades every facet of society, from insurance sales to marketing strategies. Here, too, fear is a tool, wielded to dull the senses and cloud judgment. But knowledge is power. Understanding these tactics empowers us to resist, to see beyond the smoke and mirrors.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb says we should not measure risks we are taking, but take risks we understand. Yet understanding risks is difficult and thus we are handed centralised measurements - “fear this”!
In the grand scheme of societal control, fear is a double-edged sword. It has been a guardian, a protector in our evolutionary journey, yet it has become a weapon in the hands of those seeking power. The key lies in discerning its true nature, in distinguishing between genuine threats and shadows cast by those who wish to control us.
We should recognize when fear is used as a leash, and to choose whether to break free or remain bound. It's a call to venture into the dark forest, where politician-manufactured fears have almost no power. We should be armed with awareness and critical thinking, to find our path in a world where fear is no longer the compass that guides us.
