I think American will always be afraid, in a sense, because of its great success. We waste billions of dollars on fears that are blown way out of proportion. In the wake of the Columbine High School shooting schools all over America have spent serious money on incredible security systems. Glassner says that a child is more likely to be hit by lightning on the playground than to be shot with a bullet at school. And now, metal detectors that greet students further spreads fear.
Fear promotes itself.
Consider television and newspaper accounts of isolated murder. With crime so low such events receive enormous coverage which keeps the fear of crime high. Yet, despite all the good news, a collective calm has not blanketed the nation. Fear has been scattered, not erased, and for some, that makes the world more frightening than ever. When we're not busy dealing with real threats, we turn inward.