“The Culture Of Fear” by Barry Glassner
In this eye-opening examination of a pathology that has swept the country, the noted sociologist Barry Glassner reveals why Americans are burdened with overblown fears. He exposes the people and organizations that manipulate our perceptions and profit from our anxieties: politicians who win elections by heightening concerns about crime and drug use even as both are declining; advocacy groups that raise money by exaggerating the prevalence of particular diseases; TV newsmagazines that monger a new scare every week to garner ratings.
A perfect lead-in or follow-up to "Bowling for Columbine"—the documentary by Michael Moore—this book does have its share of eye-opening illustrations. Glassner makes s ome strong statements on how the media, politicians, et al coerce us into spending our time, votes, and money by taking advantage of our fears; his reasoning is quite sound and he repeatedly points out that not everyone is out to capitalize on our phobias.
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