And So It Begins...

Why do we let fear control us? What enables some of us to overcome it? This question is of interest to me because I feel this is becoming a very prevalent issue. In a country formed over the principle of freedom we sure are relinquishing it quickly. I believe the reason we are doing so is out of fear. Humans have always feared the unknown and ironically freedom is the unknown. Freedom allows an individual to make his/her own choices, but all those around him/her don’t know that choice. This fear of others emerges especially through terrorism. Back in the 1930’s plane flyers never had security checkpoints, they never experienced a metal detector, or even an x ray machine. Flashback just four or five years ago, x rays were used on carryon luggage but to make a person walk through one just to board the plane was unheard of.  This increase in security is due to famous failed terrorist attempts such as the “Underwear Bomber”. Of course the main issue all started with September 11, 2001 when planes flew into the World Trade Centers, and the Pentagon killing around 3,000 people (CBS). The death of .001% of Americans lead to the USA PATRIOT Act which dramatically lowered the restrictions on intelligence gathering agencies, enabling the government to spy on its citizens in order to keep them “safer.” The TSA employs covert testers and 70% of these mock bombs get onto the planes (The Economist). By letting our fears get the better of us, Americans have relinquished our freedom but for what cost? Are we really safer? Personally when I go through airports I opt out of the x ray machine and get the full body pat down. Yes it takes more time and sure it’s a little more personal and invasive but 20 years down the road I may be the one without the radiation poisoning, I will not carry the symbol of American’s submission to fear.

One work I’ve read in another class that pertains to my big question is Beowulf. In Beowulf the villagers are controlled by the fear of the monster Grendel, it is only the man with no fear who can defeat him (Beowulf). Ironically, this man with no fear also has excessive pride or hubris. Is this arrogance the only way to have no fear, by thinking nothing can hurt you? Later on in the novel as Beowulf ages he begins losing his hubris, but not his courage. Yet another monster resurfaces and comes to terrorize a village after its treasure was stolen. Beowulf now without excessive arrogance still goes into battle, knowing he will most likely die, without fear.

There are numerous movies, songs, and magazine articles that relate to my big blog question but my favorite one is Batman. In Batman Bruce Wayne must conquer his childhood fear of bats in order to become Batman. Not only does he conquer his own fear but he spreads his own by choosing the symbol of the bat because bats always scared him so he wanted to strike that same fear into the hearts of criminals. In the second movie, The Dark Knight the Joker is the epitome of using fear. Even in his monologues to people such as Gamble and Rachel Dawes he is attempting to instill fear into them just for his own enjoyment. He also plays mind games with the public such as blowing up hospitals if certain people aren’t killed, killing people until Batman turns himself in, and rigging two ferries to be blown up by the other. He instills fear into the public to the point where they try to turn in Batman, their only hope.