The Science Of Fear: Why We Fear The Things We Shouldn't--and Put Ourselves In Greater Danger (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
I have come to admit to myself that I am afraid of most things, and I realize most of my fears are silly. As I read this book, it was easy to understand how quickly we as humans can get caught up in tragedies and forget the improbability of it happening again or to us. This book was eye opening to me and while the "head" part of me is more able to make better arguments against my fears, my "gut" still screams at me to run at any perceived danger. The book gave a lot of descriptive information and made in comprehendible to a new audience but was quite repetitive in it's arguments. This book starts off well and focused nicely on the science behind fear. It touches lightly on the chemical/biological basis for the two mindset theory that he holds up throughout the rest of the book. However the book soon becomes the "politics" or "economics" of fear and leaves the scientific behind. If you approach the book with that prior mindset it makes for a better read. The idea that we have a base or "gut" level mind, and a higher or "head" level mind is not new in the field, nor in philo/theo sophical thinking. That there appears to be some scientific evidence of these is nice to read in such an approachable manner. Gardener gets repetitious in his examples and could thin some of them,but ends on a good point.
What do You think about The Science Of Fear: Why We Fear The Things We Shouldn't--and Put Ourselves In Greater Danger (2008)?
Awesome book. A blend of Matt Ridley's Rational Optimist and psychology primer.
—nicole
Interesting insight and serious data. Makes you a better consumer of media.
—Blixa
A worthwhile read that makes reading the news somewhat less unnerving.
—msanghera
