And when the most obvious bogeymen have disappeared, as they seemingly have today, people dig deeper to find substitutes. Something in human nature, it would seem, insists that people cling to fear even during times of prosperity. People really were afraid. With that scare over, he says, people may be searching for a new worry to fill the void. Terrorism might do the trick, says Dr. Grold, who recently bought 20 Israeli-made gas masks as gag gifts for friends.
Some fears are valid, of course.
People who live in low-income neighborhoods remain far more vulnerable to crime than wealthy Americans. People who don't have enough to eat tend not to worry much about the ebola virus. Coca-Cola Co. Some fears are useful, too. Fear helps maintain a strong military, it helps keep motorists buckled up, and it helps business leaders avoid unnecessary risk and costly lawsuits. At least in moderation, fear of singing or speaking in public usually helps sharpen performance.