|
|
Drunken Mastah
from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2005-03-13 08:57 [#01531283]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag
|
|
What are we, as human beings in todays society, most afraid of? I mean.. there are obvious things like terrorism and murder and shit... but that's stuff that's going on now, and most people (at least in many other places than USA) aren't afraid of terrorists anyway.. also there isn't this continuuous fear of being killed going 'round... it has to be something that's always in our minds.. we have to always fear it...
Earlier when christianity had a better hold of us (I'm talking western civilization right now), I think it would be safe to assume that at least one of the biggest fears were not gaining acceptance in heaven or ending up with the devil or whatever (it was actually common practice for a while not to get baptised before right before ones death since baptism was performed to cleanse ones sins), but in todays society this fear just won't hold up as the biggest fear.. I don't think there are too many people who go about their life thinking they're probably going to go to hell if they don't always do the right thing anymore.
Now, I'm not saying that there would have to be some fear all the time, but if you look at our history as a civilisation, there have rarely been times when we didn't fear something, and where that fear wasn't common for an entire civilisation, as opposed to just a period.
So.. what would you say has taken over God/The devils place as the ultimate fear that we all are afraid of simply because our society teach us to be afraid of it as we grow up?
The fear of not amounting to anything would hold a strong position in this, but I don't know... it is also possible that we, while living in this civilisation, can't see our own fear, but there's a larger chance of seeing it if more people search.
Just a thought before rebooting this crap-heap.
|
|
stilaktive
from a place on 2005-03-13 08:58 [#01531284]
Points: 3162 Status: Lurker
|
|
i had a dream i was ripping crosses off walls and trying to stab people.
|
|
Drunken Mastah
from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2005-03-13 09:06 [#01531290]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Followup to stilaktive: #01531284 | Show recordbag
|
|
you're definately posessed!
|
|
ecnadniarb
on 2005-03-13 09:07 [#01531291]
Points: 24805 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag
|
|
A lot of people have no fear any more which is contributing to the breakdown in established society. Fear has been used in the past as a way of keeping the masses in check. With religion no longer being in a position to dictate, the governments have to look for other things (eg. terrorism), to make people beleive they aren't being controlled however this isn't totally succesful so the increasing use of police state tactics are being brought into play (patriot act in the US, torrorism act in the UK). It will continue down this path.
|
|
welt
on 2005-03-13 09:08 [#01531292]
Points: 2036 Status: Lurker
|
|
many people seem to fear loneliness.
|
|
Raz0rBlade_uk
on 2005-03-13 09:32 [#01531307]
Points: 12540 Status: Addict | Show recordbag
|
|
this is far too deep for a sunday
|
|
DJ Xammax
from not America on 2005-03-13 09:48 [#01531318]
Points: 11512 Status: Lurker | Followup to Raz0rBlade_uk: #01531307
|
|
I'd have thought it was too deep for you any day of the week.
|
|
-crazone
from smashing acid over and over on 2005-03-13 09:54 [#01531328]
Points: 11234 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag
|
|
we all should fear ourselfs, think about it..
|
|
manicminer
from Paris (France) on 2005-03-13 10:03 [#01531340]
Points: 1423 Status: Lurker
|
|
The thing we should fear the most is the environment, nature, climate..... it's so obvious. The signs are all around us - it's probably too late to do anything about it, but if we don't at least try then we're definitely fucked.
If you allow bacteria to multiply exponentially on a nutrient plate, they will eventually start dying due to a buildup of their own waste, which is toxic to them (pollution).
Unless we do something radical, ultimately we're going to prove ourselves as clueless as unicellular organisms.
|
|
Drunken Mastah
from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2005-03-13 10:06 [#01531350]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Followup to ecnadniarb: #01531291 | Show recordbag
|
|
ecna: so you're saying that fear isn't as constant as it used to be? the governments and the media are constantly exchanging one fear with another to make us "stay?"
manicminer: yeah, but what you say is a normative statement... I was trying to figure out what it is we ACTUALLY fear...
|
|
ecnadniarb
on 2005-03-13 10:28 [#01531371]
Points: 24805 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag
|
|
That is exactly what I am staying. The ability to exploit weakness is the primary measurement of corporate, religious and governmental success. Fear and insecurity is the most easy weakness to exploit.
|
|
r40f
from qrters tea party on 2005-03-13 10:32 [#01531374]
Points: 14210 Status: Regular
|
|
i agree with ecnadniarb except that i would say that i don't agree that established society is breaking down at all. and i think the climate of fear is at least the same, if not worse, than it used to be.
|
|
-crazone
from smashing acid over and over on 2005-03-13 10:50 [#01531398]
Points: 11234 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag
|
|
we fear shit
|
|
i_x_ten
from arsemuncher on 2005-03-13 12:31 [#01531523]
Points: 10031 Status: Regular
|
|
the worst kind of fear is irrational fear.... we all know you're more likely to be killed by a car than a terroist or an axe murderer, yet which are people more scared of? statistically in the UK you're at more risk from the IRA than islamic extremeist terrorists. its because we're conditioned into beliving that there is a threat by govt/media proganda etc.. that builds up this culture of irrational fear of the bogeyman. it sets people thinking.... "what if, what if, what if"
to summarise; the fear of the unknown.
oh and btw
Madness is rare in individuals - but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule. :0)
|
|
plaidzebra
from so long, xlt on 2005-03-13 13:27 [#01531588]
Points: 5678 Status: Lurker
|
|
fear of death and fear of the unknown seem tightly woven together...
other favorites include fear of powerlessness or loss of control, fear of emotional and physical pain, and fear of being unworthy or invalid (fear of being judged, obsessing over what other people think about oneself)...
i don't think people are more or less fearful than they've ever been. the more we contemplate our thoughts and behaviors, though, the more we notice how fear motivates us.
from my perspective, all fear is irrational, for reasons beyond the scope of the messageboard. nevertheless, i frequently observe reflexive fear reactions in myself. but i think if we weren't afraid we wouldn't need this world anymore...
|
|
i_x_ten
from arsemuncher on 2005-03-13 13:37 [#01531604]
Points: 10031 Status: Regular | Followup to plaidzebra: #01531588
|
|
i know you said its beyond the 'scope of the messageboard' but to fear someone pointing a gun at your eyesocket is quite rational i think
|
|
Drunken Mastah
from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2005-03-13 13:39 [#01531611]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag
|
|
well, yes.. all good fears, but fear of unknown and fear of death and all that are more or less constant fears, aren't they? isn't there something special about our civilisation?
|
|
qrter
from the future, and it works (Netherlands, The) on 2005-03-13 14:18 [#01531651]
Points: 47414 Status: Moderator | Followup to Drunken Mastah: #01531611
|
|
does there need to be?
|
|
plaidzebra
from so long, xlt on 2005-03-13 14:19 [#01531652]
Points: 5678 Status: Lurker
|
|
i respectfully disagree, ixten.
from my perspective, the fear experienced by an individual in that situation results from the operation of an irrational belief...
the belief that annihilation of the body represents annihilation of the self...
though the reaction of fear is understandable, predictable, highly probable for most people, it will not emerge in all people.
this may prove to be an especially unpopular perspective, however!
|
|
plaidzebra
from so long, xlt on 2005-03-13 14:24 [#01531660]
Points: 5678 Status: Lurker
|
|
and from that comment, drunken mastah, you can see that i do not view fear of death as a constant, but i would acknowledge its long term popularity...
maybe fear of death is especially potent these days given that a scientific materialist perspective views death of the body as the ultimate and meaningless extinguishing of all that an individual is.
maybe fear of god's wrath seems more comfortable when compared with absolute annihilation and nothingness...
|
|
Chihiro
from twins land on 2005-03-13 14:27 [#01531664]
Points: 4650 Status: Regular
|
|
-to die in an airplane crash... -That my girlfriend dumps me... -and loneliness...
|
|
Drunken Mastah
from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2005-03-13 14:30 [#01531666]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Followup to plaidzebra: #01531660 | Show recordbag
|
|
qrter: no, but there may be...
plaid: oh, believing in the afterlife is proof of the fear of death AND of the fear of unknown. "afterlife" is an "explanation" of both that makes them LOOK less intimidating...
|
|
i_x_ten
from arsemuncher on 2005-03-13 14:37 [#01531673]
Points: 10031 Status: Regular | Followup to plaidzebra: #01531652
|
|
you know too much. you must be killed.
|
|
welt
on 2005-03-13 15:05 [#01531707]
Points: 2036 Status: Lurker
|
|
well, as i said before. fear of loneliness / loneliness as a result of not being accepted.
america and europe see themselves as individualistic societies (america more than europe) and rate personal success over 'existing in a group'. with the result that many relationships are fleeting (people change their circle of acquaintances because they change jobs or whatever) and stuff.
people however have an inner need and desire for interpersonal relationships which is likely to not be satisfied in an aedequate way in such conditions.
another point: not be able to fulfill society's ideal of a human being. the stuff with the plastic surgery when people think it's insufficient to be themselves.
maybe the fear of loneliness expresses itself in such things: i dont know how it is where you live, but here it's like that that on every party there are photographers, then everybody poses for a picture and a few hours laters you can see and discuss the photos on the internet. people are FANATIC to get on a photo and show that they were on a party. it's much about showing off and being perceived by others.
maybe you could say that the fear of not fulfilling a religious ideal (and go to hell as a result) was exchanged for the fear of not fulfilling one ideal society constructed.
then again i never thought about this and it's kinda undeep what i've written.
|
|
stilaktive
from a place on 2005-03-13 15:19 [#01531715]
Points: 3162 Status: Lurker
|
|
i fear those big boldy type things, like the highest amount of pressure on a certain point (like a huge lump of playdo on a toothpick) i get when i have a fever.
|
|
Rostasky
from United States on 2005-03-13 15:24 [#01531719]
Points: 1572 Status: Lurker
|
|
I shall take this time to quickly make a short plug
|
|
OK
on 2005-03-13 21:34 [#01532163]
Points: 4791 Status: Lurker
|
|
i read somewhere that, in general, women's worst fear is to be savahely raped. In constrast men's worst fear is to be ridiculized in public.
|
|
magicant
from Canada on 2005-03-13 21:44 [#01532168]
Points: 2465 Status: Lurker | Followup to OK: #01532163
|
|
as a male, i should say that i am more afraid of being severely raped than being ridiculed in public.
|
|
bogala
from NYC (United States) on 2005-03-13 22:59 [#01532212]
Points: 5125 Status: Regular
|
|
Top worst nightmares:
being in a plane and having it explode in mid-air
And absolutley worst nightmare of all ... 'being buried alive!!'
|
|
somejerk
from south florida, US (United States) on 2005-03-14 07:37 [#01532414]
Points: 1441 Status: Lurker
|
|
being burried alive under a huge pile of sand in the dessert, floating out into the vacuum of space, or drowning in a deep, dark ocean.
|
|
plaster
from splitska 10 on 2005-03-14 07:38 [#01532418]
Points: 4173 Status: Regular
|
|
vamps and crashes...especially aeroplane ones.
|
|
Ophecks
from Nova Scotia (Canada) on 2005-03-14 09:13 [#01532487]
Points: 19190 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag
|
|
My big fear is pretty generic. Death, it pretty much dominates my thoughts quite often. I'm scared to death of it, my death and others. I don't really truly fear anything else. I'm in dire financial/academic straits right now but it doesn't scare me for whatever reason, it can't kill me. I WISH I was afraid for my future, but I have no concern about anything except how I'm going to die.
|
|
plaidzebra
from so long, xlt on 2005-03-14 09:15 [#01532489]
Points: 5678 Status: Lurker
|
|
drunken mastah, i can appreciate your perspective regarding the implications of "belief" in an "afterlife."
however, i think the "afterlife" is far more complex and subtle and unpredictable than the phrase "afterlife" can capture. i don't think it's a panacea or fantasy or necessarily a comfort at all. might it not mean that there is no end to an individual's suffering?
i came to this perspective from the other side. i spent a lot of energy trying to hold on to my scientific materialist worldview. i relinquished my denial only after years of contemplation and agnosticism. i'm not a member of any organized system of belief.
maybe it's safer to suggest that the transformations of mind that occurred within humans in the last 2000 years represent only the first step of thousands...
and now, off to catch a bus!
|
|
epohs
from )C: on 2005-03-14 09:20 [#01532499]
Points: 17620 Status: Lurker
|
|
in 2001 i had some sort of suckass extended depression/anxiety breakdown bullshit that lasted for like a year and a half.
my worst fear is that that will happen again.
i'd rather drown in a flaming airplane crash while being assraped by devil worshiping nazis.
|
|
epohs
from )C: on 2005-03-14 09:27 [#01532506]
Points: 17620 Status: Lurker
|
|
Oh, and on a more global scale, I'm pretty worried that dubya is helping to put the us on a path toward becoming a non-secular gov't. That scares me pretty bad.
|
|
Bob Mcbob
on 2005-03-14 09:36 [#01532513]
Points: 9939 Status: Regular
|
|
My worst fear is that God hates me and i will be punished when i die, i dont think ive done enough good things to get into Heaven but im too weak to change so i am doomed to be a jerk and get punished for all eternity.
My second worst fear is that ive made a huge bodge up of my life and i wont be able to put it right again, ive missed so many oppertunities and acted so short-sightedly, i just know other people can tell what a loser i am as soon as they look at me.
My third worst fear is spiders.
|
|
Anus_Presley
on 2005-03-14 09:41 [#01532516]
Points: 23472 Status: Lurker
|
|
losing my cock in a frreak accident
|
|
deepspace9mm
from filth on 2005-03-14 09:50 [#01532523]
Points: 6846 Status: Addict | Followup to Anus_Presley: #01532516
|
|
Heh, that doesn't tend to keep me up at night but i know what you mean. Mangled genitalia isn't my idea of a fun monday afternoon.
Welcome back by the way ol' chum.
|
|
pOgO
from behind your belly button fluff on 2005-03-14 10:01 [#01532527]
Points: 12687 Status: Lurker
|
|
loosing
|
|
KEYFUMBLER
from DUBLIN (Ireland) on 2005-03-14 10:03 [#01532530]
Points: 5696 Status: Lurker
|
|
fear, its very self... shits me right up *shivers
|
|
epohs
from )C: on 2005-03-14 10:08 [#01532534]
Points: 17620 Status: Lurker
|
|
I'm also more scared of being easilly replaced by someone I care about, than I am scared of being lonely. Which is why I try to avoid caring about people nowadays.
|
|
yann_g
from now on 2005-03-14 15:41 [#01532998]
Points: 3772 Status: Lurker
|
|
ghosts
|
|
stilaktive
from a place on 2005-03-14 16:10 [#01533037]
Points: 3162 Status: Lurker
|
|
Dont worry the deepest part of hell is also the coldest
|
|
evolume
from seattle (United States) on 2005-03-14 18:26 [#01533228]
Points: 10965 Status: Regular
|
|
I do have a recurring fear that someone will eventually find out my deepest secret. But i've kept the secret for 20+ years and i intend to take it with me to the grave. Suffice it to say that, when i was about 6 years old, i did something quite evil and i still carry the guilt though i don't really blame myself; i was quite young and naive and should have had better supervision.
but that's not really a "fear." i don't have much anxiety or nightmares about it and it probably wouldn't make a good horror film or psychological thriller. well, maybe.
oh, and maybe being eaten alive. yeah i'm a bit afraid of that!
|
|
Messageboard index
|