The Long Dark Shadow of Fear

The effects of fear are tangible and quantifiable. Conditioning ourselves to fear each other undoubtedly has effects on how we operate and the chances we take. I have long argued against the popular depictions of humanity's infighting as a natural reaction to disaster. A recent study seems to support the argument against the belief we would prey on each other should zombies overrun society. Researchers played dog barks and sounds on a coastal stretch of B.C. This put racoons on edge which reduced foraging time and thus increased the numbers of typical raccoon food such as crab and fish. While the study clearly advocates for the protection of large predators as an essential role in an ecosystem, I believe it also speaks to the knock on effects of fear in animals.

In the case of humans, being in a state of constant fear will undoubtedly decrease time for higher order thinking. Imagination, invention and discovery are likely to be reduced when there are moans of zombie hordes in the distance. A belief that every group you encounter will be a secret Terminus or Governor crew will actively exacerbate this issue. Racoons aren't stupid, as anyone with a green bin can attest. They need not ever see a dog to still have a creeping feeling one might this time be near. So too are our fears stoked by stories and depictions of the dangers of trusting humans despite mounds of statistical evidence showing us that we have become less and less violent in recent decades.

I am not advocating for blind trust or being completely unprepared. I am advocating for the measured weighing of threats. I believe the threat of losing innovation, ingenuity and possible allies to a mental boogeyman is something we better build defences for too.

#fear #defences #humanity