NationStates Jolt Archive

So, how powerful can fear be? Could it prevent you from doing something that you know you should do? Could it prevent you from getting something or achieving something that you always wanted? Could fear actually be stronger than love?

I've been in isolation for the past few days, and these are some of the questions that have popped up in my head. My answers to all of them are yes.

Also, could fear keep you in an unhealthy lifestyle, relationship or habit?

So, how powerful can fear be? Could it prevent you from doing something that you know you should do? Could it prevent you from getting something or achieving something that you always wanted? Could fear actually be stronger than love?I'll take my chances as a fool, thanks.

I'll take my chances as a fool, thanks.

Oh trust me, all doubt have already been removed.

Oh trust me, all doubt have already been removed.No, I meant it as in, "Only a fool doesn't fear."
I'm not afraid to try things, even things that might seriously harm me. Emotionally, or physically.

Irrational fear is a fascinating thing.

My dad tells a story about a friend of his, who, one day, went to board a flight on a business trip and froze up on the gangway - couldn't board the plane, simple as that. This guy was an executive for a medium-sized corporation, overseeing several offices, and as quickly as that instant, the fear hit him, sent him home and had him resign from a top job. Weird, eh? I haven't experienced anything quite like that myself, but the story taught me not to judge others' irrational fears too harshly, because in some cases they really aren't controllable, even when submission to them means a substantial loss of material wealth.

It all goes without saying. Personally, I don't consider any of my fears irrational. Although I could very well be crazy, but then again maybe not.

I actually noticed that apparently I developed a slight fear of flying for no particular reason.

Before we moved to Oz in late '01 I actually flew quite a lot. We went to Australia a few times, to Mallorca countless times, once to China and so on. I love airports as well, looking at all the flights going to all over the globe on the screens.

But since we came here we didn't have the money to do holidays, so it wasn't until September this year that I got on a plane again. And then it was twice in the same month, as two companies wanted me for interviews in Sydney. Nothing significant had changed in these years, if anything I've become more rational and organised in how I think about things, but I still felt pretty anxious. Landing is the worst part. It's not bad enough that I can't laugh at myself for being stupid about something as statistically unlikely as a plane crash, but somehow it doesn't go away.

It'll be interesting to see how it is next time, when there isn't the pressure of an interview to worry about as well.

For quite a long time I had an irrational fear of dentists. Well, considering childhood experiences, perhaps it wasn't so irrational (the dentist insisted on drilling without novacaine even when I was literally screaming with pain, then he yelled at me [I was six at the time] for being stupid and childish). It became so bad that I had to take huge doses of valium before I went to the dentist, and avoided it until my teeth became so bad I had to have three root canals. Of course the more I avoided the dentist, the worse the problems became and the more painful and uncomfortable the solutions. It was a bad situation.

I actually noticed that apparently I developed a slight fear of flying for no particular reason.


I have that too. It gets worse when you get older.

Plus side is that you can get valium for it. So it sort of kicks ass.

I'm developing of late, naturally, fears associated with my family - wife, boys, future, self ...... predictable, really.

So, how powerful can fear be? Could it prevent you from doing something that you know you should do?

No, I'm one of those natural leader types that isn't afraid to do something when I know there is no other option.

Could it prevent you from getting something or achieving something that you always wanted?

I think fear might be keeping me out of a really good relationship oppurtunity... I like the way things between me and someone are already.

Could fear actually be stronger than love?

Mhmm... people will freeze up and watch thier loved ones be harmed because they are afraid. For a further example see my last answer.

Anger leads to hate
Hate leads to fear
And fear leads to voting republican

Anger leads to hate
Hate leads to fear
And fear leads to voting republican

Besides, we all know Libertarian is the true candidate of the Jedi.

Besides, we all know Libertarian is the true candidate of the Jedi.

I didn't know that. In fact, I was convinced Ron Paul was a Sith lord, with Bob Barr his apprentice.

I didn't know that. In fact, I was convinced Ron Paul was a Sith lord, with Bob Barr his apprentice.

Well at least is not C-3-Palin-0 and Aretoo-GW.

(that was bad...)

Well at least is not C-3-Palin-0 and Aretoo-GW.

(that was bad...)

Fear will keep the local population in line. Fear of this administration.

Fear will keep the local population in line. Fear of this administration.

If you only new the power of the Neo-Conservative!

So, how powerful can fear be? Could it prevent you from doing something that you know you should do? Could it prevent you from getting something or achieving something that you always wanted? Could fear actually be stronger than love?

I've been in isolation for the past few days, and these are some of the questions that have popped up in my head. My answers to all of them are yes.


Well for my own personal interaction with fear is that fear is something that tell you what you are doing is either unnatural or just plain stupid. Like borading a plane for example. We know that because of today techongly that flying is very safe. But our brains are still hardwired to "A plane,2000 feet in the air?No way out!OMG!!!!!". When your on the roof of your house and your scare to death but your buddys are telling you to jump because they already did. You know it stupid idea. Your body telling you it is. But they did it. So why not? :P


As for the love vs. fear question.

"To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage."


I used to be a very shy guy around the opposite sex. But only when it came to a girl I really liked. But eventally over a period of months I reliase if I don't overcome the fear then I never would have a chance. So eventally through pure willpower I overcame that fear and was able to walk up to her and talk to her etc. Never worked out in the end. But I still learned alot from the situation.


And as for fear itself. A week ago a Holocuast surivour spoke at my school. It was not something easily forgotten and I don't think I ever forget it. Thinking about it now still brings tears to my eyes. I'll never look at WW2 or the Holocuast or racist remarks in the same light ever again. But anyway one of the things he brought up was fear. He told us that we had never known what fear felt like and he hoped that we never did. Fear,fear we feel is noting. Noting at all compared to what can really happen to you.



As for fear stopping you. The first time it probably will. But as it goes on and on. You got to ask yourself. Am I gonig to stand for this? Sometime the only way to beat is to face it head on.

So, how powerful can fear be? Could it prevent you from doing something that you know you should do? Could it prevent you from getting something or achieving something that you always wanted? Could fear actually be stronger than love?

I've been in isolation for the past few days, and these are some of the questions that have popped up in my head. My answers to all of them are yes.

Depends on the person.

Also, could fear keep you in an unhealthy lifestyle, relationship or habit?

Definitely.

Fear is very powerful, and thanks to bullying, dominated my late teens. I am still getting over it today - my self confidence is still broken.