Category: Fear

Is It A Wonderful World?

Sometimes it feels as though everything is awful. Does that feeling obscure how wonderful the world is? Or is it, in fact, not full of wonder?

It’s a simple fact that humanity faces existential-level crises, from climate change to species extinction. In addition, ongoing wars, uncertainty over artificial intelligence, political unrest add to an uneasy sensation that sometimes feels like it permeates everything.

And yet, there is great wonder in the world. There is stunning natural beauty, like waterfalls or mountain ranges. There are is an amazing variety of animals, birds, and fish that populate every nook and cranny of the world. In addition, there are man-made wonders that are a testament to our species’ ingenuity. We understand the world as never before, and have ever-increasing ability to improve things.

Of course, some of these are in conflict: our ability to impact the world is putting our climate future in jeopardy. We risk losing the amazing diversity that exists in the animal and plant world, which in turn endangers our own future.

But shouldn’t that add to the wonder, in fact? Just because the ecosystem is fragile doesn’t take away from how special it is. In fact, just the opposite: fragile, impermanent things can be the most wonderful. Think of, say, the intricacies of an individual snowflake, which exists for such a short moment in time.

As the famous song begins:

“I see trees of green/Red roses tooI see them bloom/For me and youAnd I think to myself What a wonderful world.”

Is that, in fact, true? Or does the peril we face, human stupidity and greed, and our uncertain future detract from it? Is the world wonderful?

Related questions: How can we maintain wonder? What’s the most amazing natural wonder you’ve experienced? What is the greatest problem facing humanity? Is it a cruel world?

 

What Is The Relationship Between Fear And Passion?

Passion and fear are both emotions that you are bound to experience over time. Are they linked in some way?

On the surface, there wouldn’t seem to be much in common between the emotion of passion and that of fear. One would seem to be positive, and bring about joy and interest. The other is more negative.

However, once you are passionate about something, you might very well fear it’s loss.

Imagine something, if you will, about which you are passionate. Maybe your family or friends. A sports team, perhaps, or a career.

Now think about a threat it might be taken away from you. What might you do to prevent that? What lengths might you go to keep the thing that you love, that brings meaning to your life?

The person who doesn’t care about anything doesn’t fear losing anything. They don’t, however, experience the same joy and happiness that the rest of us do.

Passion can generate fear in another way, as well. Think about  a performer getting up at an open mic, or an author with a new book, or an athlete in a championship game. They care deeply about what they are doing, but are scared about presenting to the public, and how their work will be received. They fear messing up, of failing in front of everyone. Yet that fear can also drive them.

So how are the fear and passion related? And how does the experience of one inform the other? How can we prepare for them both, in a way that is productive and healthy?

Related questions: What are you passionate about? What role does fear play in your life? What is the right amount of emotion?

Anger Or Fear?

There is a school of thought that suggests anger is simply fear in disguise. When you experience something unpleasant, how are you more likely to react?

Share why if you wish.

Anger Or Fear?
Results

What Role Does Fear Play In Your Life?

Fear is a powerful emotion that we all feel at many points in our lives. How do you react when faced with something you fear?

Fear can take many different shapes. You might be afraid for yourself, or fear for the safety of others. There is the gut-wrenching terror accompanying sudden physical danger, or the overwhelming sense of dread over some future danger.

Whatever the nature of the fear, harnessing it can be an effective tool for controlling people. Scared people will do almost anything to feel less afraid, including abandoning strongly held principles and beliefs, or selling out a neighbor or colleague.

Part of the reason for that is that people do not make the best decisions when they are afraid. When someone is in fight or flight mode, carefully evaluating all possibilities becomes less important. As a result, if you let fear dominate your other emotions, bad choices may result. You might easily miss an option that would be more effective or desired.

But fear does not always have to be a bad thing. There is a valid reason for it — it helps you learn what to avoid or minimize. You can also choose to be motivated to prepare contingency plans because you are afraid of doing the wrong thing. In turn, that preparation can help to lessen the fear.

What are you afraid of, and how does that fear shape your life? Can you think of times when being afraid has made a bad situation worse? Or alternately, have you ever channeled your fear in a positive way?

Related questions: Why are people afraid of death? Have you ever been afraid for your life? How does technology influence your emotions? Why does social media often bring out the worst in us?

What Role Do Algorithms Play In Your Life?

As computers, and the software they run, grow ever more sophisticated and commonplace, more and more of our lives are impacted by them. What are some examples of the way algorithms influence you?

In the online world, it is fairly easy to see the effect that algorithms have. All the major websites have sophisticated computer programs to determine which videos, status updates, ads, or products to display to you based on your browsing history.

This can have an upside. For example, based on music that you have listened to and liked, a music streaming service might recommend a similar artist. If you are unfamiliar with them, you might discover some cool new music!

Unfortunately, there are also downsides. Viewing ever more extreme videos — as recommended by an algorithm — individuals are more likely to become radicalized and potentially dangerous.

Many social media companies program their software to maximize engagement. A computer program will learn quickly that the best way to achieve this goal is through promoting fear and anger. As a result, users are increasingly suspicious and isolationist, even if that was not the initial intent.

However, as artificial intelligence grows in ability and usefulness, it is being deployed and used more regularly in non-online settings as well. For instance, a bank might use a computer to determine if a customer is likely to default on a loan. Sports teams can use facial recognition software to deny entry to unruly fans. Rather than have faculty or staff sift through college applications, a computer can do it more thoroughly and without requiring breaks.

Can you think of ways that an algorithm is making decisions about your life, either online or off? Ultimately, do you think it is a good thing or bad?

Related questions: How accurate is your algorithm? What do you think about artificial intelligence? Will technology save us?