The Weapon of Fear
How They Use Fear to Manipulate You
“ He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”
Aristotle
You are free. Everyone is free. However, since we were born we have been taught otherwise. Society has always imposed on us what to do, what to think and what to feel. And if we don’t follow society, then we are bound to get in trouble.
Parents taught us to behave in certain ways. If we did so they would reward us, if we didn’t they would punish us. Naturally, every child obeys its parents because the child deeply needs the parent — it is a matter of survival, especially in its very early years.
At school we were taught to think in certain ways. They taught us what to think, but not how to develop our thinking. And everyone was taught the same. If we thought in different ways than our fellow students, teachers would tell us we are bad students. They would give us bad grades and might even expel us from school. Therefore, most of us when students compromised our thinking so as to get away with trouble.
Religion taught us to follow anything but our inner voice: follow scriptures, follow priests, follow God. It taught us to have faith in others, but not to have faith in ourselves. Religion taught us that if we did certain things we would be rewarded with the bliss of heaven, but if we didn’t we would be punished in hellfire. And what sane person would desire to be punished in hell? And who wouldn’t want to experience heaven? Therefore every one of us held religion in dear faith.
Parents, school, and religion used one and the same thing to make us do what they wanted us to do: fear. If you want to manipulate anybody, first make him or her afraid. Once afraid, he or she will be ready to accept your offered suggestions.
This tactic is being continuously used in our everyday life, but we are unaware of it. Have a clear look around you, and you will see. Politicians are being elected by persuading the masses through fear. Companies are selling their products by manipulating consumers’ insecurities through the use of fear in advertising. Journalists influence public opinion by making people afraid. And these are just a few examples.
Fear is the best weapon of all great manipulators. It can move people to do anything, no matter how illogical and stupid.
“Neither a man nor a crowd nor a nation can be trusted to act humanely or to think sanely under the influence of a great fear.” ~Bertrand Russell
Source : Post written by Sofo
Aristotle
You are free. Everyone is free. However, since we were born we have been taught otherwise. Society has always imposed on us what to do, what to think and what to feel. And if we don’t follow society, then we are bound to get in trouble.
Parents taught us to behave in certain ways. If we did so they would reward us, if we didn’t they would punish us. Naturally, every child obeys its parents because the child deeply needs the parent — it is a matter of survival, especially in its very early years.
At school we were taught to think in certain ways. They taught us what to think, but not how to develop our thinking. And everyone was taught the same. If we thought in different ways than our fellow students, teachers would tell us we are bad students. They would give us bad grades and might even expel us from school. Therefore, most of us when students compromised our thinking so as to get away with trouble.
Religion taught us to follow anything but our inner voice: follow scriptures, follow priests, follow God. It taught us to have faith in others, but not to have faith in ourselves. Religion taught us that if we did certain things we would be rewarded with the bliss of heaven, but if we didn’t we would be punished in hellfire. And what sane person would desire to be punished in hell? And who wouldn’t want to experience heaven? Therefore every one of us held religion in dear faith.
Parents, school, and religion used one and the same thing to make us do what they wanted us to do: fear. If you want to manipulate anybody, first make him or her afraid. Once afraid, he or she will be ready to accept your offered suggestions.
This tactic is being continuously used in our everyday life, but we are unaware of it. Have a clear look around you, and you will see. Politicians are being elected by persuading the masses through fear. Companies are selling their products by manipulating consumers’ insecurities through the use of fear in advertising. Journalists influence public opinion by making people afraid. And these are just a few examples.
Fear is the best weapon of all great manipulators. It can move people to do anything, no matter how illogical and stupid.
“Neither a man nor a crowd nor a nation can be trusted to act humanely or to think sanely under the influence of a great fear.” ~Bertrand Russell
Source : Post written by Sofo
I agree we are all free, but... if we did not have any rules, what would happen to this world? Wouldn't it be a total chaos?
ReplyDeleteThe potential for human creativity and invention is limitless. And our Planet Earth could be a paradise, if respected and enhanced through human forethought, planning and discipline.
ReplyDeleteBut these potentialities will not come to pass as long as humans prefer exploitation to creation, war to peace, arrogance to humility, superiority to equality, opposition to collaboration, domination to co-existence.
Only when a New Society takes root and becomes established in the world, will the full flowering of human creativity and the planet's beauty be realized.
The New Society is based first and foremost on a new code of human behaviour, where each individual from the earliest moment of comprehension, is taught to accept and to practice the Ten Rules of Social Conduct.
Personal Rules to live by.... would ensure no chaos
1 to respect all lifeforms, human born and unborn, animal, insect, marine and vegetable;
2 not to disturb the lives and peace of others through rowdy and aggressive behaviour;
3 not to criticize the behaviour of others, nor to interfere in their lives or force my opinions upon them;
4 neither to covert nor to appropriate the goods and property of others;
5 to use such of my host planet’s resources as I may need, with due respect to the planet, to other lifeforms, and to the needs of other users;
6 to trade fairly, honestly and equally with others, co-workers, employees and customers;
7 to ensure that goods and services I may offer in trade embody the highest possible standards of quality, productivity and value;
8 to perform any duties of governance for which I may be responsible with expertise, humility and honour, respecting always the views and feelings of those who will be affected;
9 to conduct myself at all times mindfully of my behaviour as it may be viewed and experienced by others;
10 to respect the health and sanctity of my own body, mind and spirit through healthful living.