The Eternal Stream of "Fear P0rn" Makes Me Angry!

If your world is anything like mine, chances are you have — typically well-meaning — online friends and acquaintances who regularly forward you links and stories about various things.

I don't know if I am just losing my sense of compassion... but I am getting very tired of the eternal stream of what I have started to call "Fear P0rn" that flows through, pretty much every day!

• Stop eating eggs because chickens eat corn treated with pesticides that cause cancer!
• The government will confiscate your bank accounts if you receive transfers from crypto exchanges!
• Aliens are already on Earth and developed the vaccines, which will kill billions!
• We'll all be dead as a result of climate change by 2040!
• Our previously unknown 9th planet will collide with Earth in 2042!
• Chemtrails are causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions!

Fear, Fear, Fear, Fear....

The Huge Growth in Negativity

I find it both interesting and sad that between 2000-2020 — incidentally the same time frame as represents the growth of the Internet from "special interest" to "mass market" — an emphasis on fear, anger, disgust and sadness in news headlines has tripled, while neutral or happy headlines have declined.

I suppose I should admit that it is small wonder that people forward me links to news stories that are laden with fear and negativity.

No, I didn't just make those numbers up... they are part of a huge study of media headlines over a long period of time.

Of course, a large part of what makes me angry here is that these (fear mongering) stories I am being sent often have little basis in fact and reality!

In fact, they are often based on false conclusions derived from information used out of context. And they serve only the purpose of making people afraid, without actually conveying genuinely useful information.

Maybe I have just become an old codger, but what has become of our species? When did we become to addicted to always seeking out horrible and fearful news?

Can You Really DO Anything?

Sure you can! Don't buy that newsrag with the sensationalist negative headline! Don't click on that link with the click-baitey wording. Sasquatch has NOT been spotted in your neighborhood, armed with an AK-47! I promise!

I suppose what goes along with all this is instilling a fear of everything in people, in general... even if we are not consciously aware of it, we start viewing every conceivable piece of information we come across through the most negative possible outcome.

Just consider something very relevant to us here on Steemit: The problems at Silvergate Bank which sent the markets into a tailspin, with everybody singing gloom and doom. But is ANYthing on the Steem blockchain any different than it was a week ago? Nope. But our token still got a 20% "haircut," because... WHAT IF???"

It's time we all started to UN-choose fear!

Thanks for reading, and have a great Sunday!

How about YOU? Does it seem like the focus on fear and outrage has increased, in the world? Do you ever find yourself fearing things you actually don't need to fear? Do leave a comment if you feel so inclined — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!

(All text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is ORIGINAL CONTENT, created expressly for this platform — NOT A CROSSPOST!!!)
Created at 2023.03.12 00:34 PST
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