Why are people so scared?

[Nika]

Those who have no reason to be? I'm so amazed how much more scared of terrorism and refugees people are in places where they are highly unlikely to encounter either.

For some reason, unlike in Trump supporting middle America, there is no prevailing "doom and gloom" attitude in NYC, a place with far more frequent terrorist attacks and attempts, full of immigrants, including recent ones... And attitudes here are far more optimistic and inclusive.

I live in Bronx, commute through Grand Central station, work in high profile, high value target building, and neither me, my neighbors or colleagues are spending much of our energy being scared about these things. I don't even know anyone who owns a firearm.

Why are people I see on TV in political rallies, who live in "tight knit communities" in "patriotic towns" armed to the teeth and yet scared sh*tless? I really would like to understand!

[HundredK]

I personally think that people don't travel enough. Once you travel a bunch, you start to see things a lot differently. I wish an overseas trip were baked into every college experience.

I think some folks who have maybe had some bad experiences in the military have justification. But that's understandable.

But for the majority of people, I think they are afraid of what they don't know.

[kork13]

I would submit that one significant reason is that those in "middle America" and "tight knit communities in patriotic towns" are also those most likely to serve in the military and actually be forced to face those threats. If you and/or your friends were likely to be deployed overseas to combat terrorism, piracy, and regional hegemony, those issues would almost certainly be of higher concern to you.

Military service members come disproportionately from the south and southwest. Conversely, service members from California, the northeast, great lakes, and north plains regions represent a disproportionately low number of service members.

This chart is from a 2012 DOD demographics study. It only represents enlisted service members (83% of the military is enlisted), and some states do produce disproportionately more officers than enlisted (Utah & Ohio, for example)... But I think it demonstrates my point rather well. As a baseline, consider that approximately .6% of Americans are currently serving in the military. So 0-5 servicemen per 1,000 citizens is low, >7 per 1,000 is high.

[creditcardfree]

I don't think those with guns are necessarily scared. They just know they have the right to own a gun and know that owning them gives them protection if their rights are threatened...such as if someone were to invade their property. One can protect themselves much faster with a gun, then waiting for the police to arrive.

Again, they are not scared. They are prepared.

FWIW, we don't own guns, are military, but know many people that do own them.

[DaveInPgh]

Not sure what rallies you are referring to where you have this impression that people are scared?

I know many people that are concerned about terrorism but I wouldn't categorize any of them as being scared.

[Tabs]

Hardly anyone is actually scared out there. Statistically, we are more likely to die from shark attacks than terrorism attacks.

It's just the political season, and Trump likes to fan FUD (Fear, Uncertainly, Doubt) to raise his support from anywhere he can.

I think that's really all it comes down to.

But while I'm here, let's turn the table around for a second here and consider America from an outside perspective. America has literally the highest military spending of any country, holds the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, has more aircraft carriers (and thus global reach) than any other nation, some of the most advanced drones that are not just developed but is actually in use and effectively, have never been effectively invaded at all, and reputation-wise, they hear all kinds of stories about how regular American people are armed to the teeth and ready to shoot someone.

To allies, we are like their big brother that is ready punch a bully in the mouth if they try anything. And enemies... they may not admit it, but they truly are scared of us. And they have every reason to be. But there's no reason for us to be scared of anyone in this sense.

[bigdaddybus]

Hardly anyone is actually scared out there. Statistically, we are more likely to die from shark attacks than terrorism attacks.

It's just the political season, and Trump likes to fan FUD (Fear, Uncertainly, Doubt) to raise his support from anywhere he can.

I think that's really all it comes down to.

But while I'm here, let's turn the table around for a second here and consider America from an outside perspective. America has literally the highest military spending of any country, holds the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, has more aircraft carriers (and thus global reach) than any other nation, some of the most advanced drones that are not just developed but is actually in use and effectively, have never been effectively invaded at all, and reputation-wise, they hear all kinds of stories about how regular American people are armed to the teeth and ready to shoot someone.

To allies, we are like their big brother that is ready punch a bully in the mouth if they try anything. And enemies... they may not admit it, but they truly are scared of us. And they have every reason to be. But there's no reason for us to be scared of anyone in this sense.

I cant say I disagree with any of this, I would just add that Hillary talking gun control just fans the flame of anger with "Pro 2nd amendment crowd".
I am a Veteran that has served overseas and seen the respect/fear that other armed forces have towards the US.

[DaveInPgh]

It's just the political season, and Trump likes to fan FUD (Fear, Uncertainly, Doubt) to raise his support from anywhere he can.

All politicians do this

[bjl584]

I'm not scared, but I am prepared.

I have some canned foods, water, blankets, flashlights, etc. on hand in case of emergencies. I also have firearms in the house.

My next purchase is going to be a generator. I want to be able to keep the furnace and the lights running should disaster strike. I have several family members that work for the power company in my area. They always tell me how fragile the infrastructure is. They also tell me that they are understaffed, and if something major happened, being out of power for a week would not be out of the realm of possibilities. If that happened in January, we'd freeze to death.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Abroad? Try just traveling within the US and having people move out of their comfort zone and see how others live within. See how lifestyles can be different. Maybe we'd be better off if all kids in the US had to go and work building homes and helping within rural or poor communities for a year or two before college. Give those with privilege an understanding about life outside the bubble. And we're not just talking about the very rich but even the middle/upper middle class lifestyle many of us provide for our kids. See the struggle within the US.

I say this because I've meet people who grew up and until they went to college had never seen a person of color (many shades). Most of the fear comes from ignorance. Maybe exposing people to other experiences would broaden the mind and soul. And you don't have to go abroad to do it.

I mean how many have been to a muslim mosque, jewish temple, hindi church, morman temple? How many have prayed or bothered to see what others of a religion than christianity practice? I've been to all with friends and it's been interesting. I'm non-secular and right now i've had a tough time where I live finding a preschool without religious teachings part-time because most are in a church. But I at least went to see it.

[scfr]

Why are people I see on TV in political rallies,

Do you think that represents the total reality of those communities?

[Magnificence]

this fear is induced by the mass media. it is the easiest way to control a crowd. or a people.

[Singuy]

ISIS inspired attacks have killed less than 100 people in the past 10 years in the US. You are 1000x more likely to win the lottery than to be killed by ISIS. You have a MUCH higher chance dying from almost anything...like tripping on nothing.


So all this fear mongering is just a matter of people not knowing probabilities....and this is from a guy who works walking distance from the Pulse shooting which accounts for most of the terrorism death in recent years.

[DaveInPgh]

ISIS inspired attacks have killed less than 100 people in the past 10 years in the US. You are 1000x more likely to win the lottery than to be killed by ISIS. You have a MUCH higher chance dying from almost anything...like tripping on nothing.

Do you have any "tripping on nothing" statistics we can use for this comparison?

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

ISIS inspired attacks have killed less than 100 people in the past 10 years in the US. You are 1000x more likely to win the lottery than to be killed by ISIS. You have a MUCH higher chance dying from almost anything...like tripping on nothing.


So all this fear mongering is just a matter of people not knowing probabilities....and this is from a guy who works walking distance from the Pulse shooting which accounts for more of the terrorism death.

Not just Isis, what about mass shootings? Or guns in general.

The media are fear-merchants in more ways than one.