Politicians know it. So do pharmaceutical companies. What is “it”? We’re talking about the power of fear to drive human behavior.
Some fears are common but elicit little sympathy, like coulrophobia (fear of clowns), which is exploited in horror movies. Others are rare, like turophobia (fear of cheese).
In many cases, being scared is simply an accepted part of life, like when kids terrorize their younger siblings. That’s so traditional that each generation takes pride in dreaming up new ways to do it.
Astronomy magazine subscribers can read the full article for free. Just make sure you’re registered with the website.
