As I am finally closing down my first website ever (www.feareducation.com), I thought I ought to at least pull some of the old material from there and store it on the FM ning for research and interest, if not historical preservation. So, here it is, the first bits anyways, unedited. It's interesting for me to see where I was thinking back in 2003, the year I finished my doctoral  studies, when I put up most all the material there.

ISOF ARCHIVES c. 2003

  Hello... it’s been four years or so since I set up this website and wrote the introductory letter below. It still fits. I merely wanted to add here that “things aren’t getting much better in the world of fear, are they?” So, it seems the relevancy of this archive of material on this website and some of my controversial claims and rants is worthy of the cost of the website upkeep. So, enjoy your journey going through this stuff, and keep in mind that I have really three main research and educational interests that are focused here in no particular order:

   (1) ‘fear’ thing (includes, risk, safety, security...)
   (2) Ken Wilber integral philosophy and
        movement/revolution
   (3) The Matrix (1999-2003) metaphor and morality story/film

R. Michael Fisher, 2007
Vancouver, BC, Canada


    WELCOME to this personal website and some of the unique fear research I have been undertaking for the past 13 years. I have often believed that fearuality is, at least, as important as sexuality in human and societal behavior. Our general ignorance about human sexuality 100 years ago, is where the current knowledge about fearuality is today.

    IN PARTICULAR, my experiential and intellectual passion has revolved around what happens when fear meets fearlessness? Defining and conceptualizing fear, fearlessness, and fearless have been an endless fascination for me as a fear researcher (fearologist) and educator. How these are related to love, pedagogy, and the future development of a global universal ethics, are questions that guide my research and life. Unique to the study of fear, I have chosen a transdisciplinary approach to study these topics, rather than to rely on only traditions, cliches, and one-sided uncritical knowledges about fear, which in contemporary times come predominantly from Western scientific psychology and/or religions.

    THE EVIDENCE is quite convincing to me and many others that violence, oppression, environmental exploitation and toxification, all have their cause based in a view of the world driven by fear, both individually and collectively. When this fear accumulates over time, and is constructed by those in powerful leadership (and parental) positions, and those wishing to sell security and status/success products, and those wishing to get us to watch more news on TV and radio and read more newspapers-- then fear becomes 'fear' of a different order, which some critics have called a new hyperreal species of 'fear.' I wish to understand the dynamics of this construction of 'fear' and how to teach others to best handle it to minimize its damaging effects.

    STUDYING AND COPING with the thousand kinds of "fears" is no longer, by itself, adequate to the type of world we live in, especially with our entering the war without end, declared by the American elite (post-9/11) as the "War on Terror(ism)" -- really fearism-- which is the most dangerous game of FEAR WARS. It is time for a new kind of warrior-- a sacred warrior dedicated to the path of fearlessness and a quality of fear education never before available to human beings. It is time to systematically and critically examine everything being said or written or taught about fear. That's where a healthy Fear Education begins. There are major battles going on around the planet, and always have been, for the control of the knowledge about fear. I am dedicated to exposing the ideologies of fear, and doing so by good critique and critical education. I look forward to your comments and hearing about your initiatives to improve our fearual wisdom.

R. Michael Fisher,
Vancouver, BC, Canada
January 21, 2003

 

  FEARLESSNESS PROJECTS  
  Brief History of a Transformation  

 

 

I have long been intrigued with why humans are the only species that systematically ‘spoils its own nest’ and lives so neurotically in fear. I am curious what the basis of evil is, and why so many different viewpoints exist in answering both of the above questions. I have been perplexed by the differing views of fear and wondered why no one seemed to want to systematically study them. To make a long story short, I read everything I could on these topics. I had some personal crises that took me to face the deepest pain and terror I could have imagined. A couple key dreams unlocked some doors to my future purpose on this planet. I became very aware of what happens when one ‘stands up’ against the norm and sticks out their neck, risks, stumbles, and follows the truths they see.

A powerful transformative healing and loving relationship with an intimate partner further clarified that fear is the force that prevents love (using fear and love in the largest sense of those concepts). I have had a great many “teachers” who have, more or less, shown me the truth behind my own thought and experience with fear. In 1989, I helped birth the IN SEARCH OF FEARLESSNESS PROJECT with Catherine Sannuto, in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Two people with a lot of heart and vision but floundering to make it happen in this world. Through many trials and transformations, chaos and order, pleasure and pain, I have personally had to take on the visionary leadership for this ISOF Project alone. The following timeless ideas originally accompanied this fearlessness movement:

  • Thanks to Barbara Bickel for joining me with her gifts and commitment to ISOF in 1991.
  • ISOF Project belongs to no one and everyone, who is dedicated to the ongoing search for excellence and fearlessness together
  • ISOF Project is a counter-resistance movement to the dominating ‘Fear’ Project (or (‘Fear’ Matrix)
  • ISOF Project is a global human change project inspired by many others before us—we have put new words on the same counter-resistance movement of Spirit—it is a project based on the knowledge that every individual, within the limits of some conditions, can make a positive difference to the healthy maturation and functioning of other individuals and our collective organizations
  • virtually no one is free of some of the suffering, of the feelings and thoughts that are associated with what is commonly called “fear” or “terror” or “worry” (which some have called “sin” or “evil”) that go with living in our times of high risk and danger of global catastrophes
  • the sacred path of fearlessness is a choice we can make to live our lives handling fear and terror well, or poorly—and when humans collectively come together, under the ISOF Project name and spirit, there will be major progress toward creating a better world
  • ISOF Project was founded on the slogan, ‘I WON’T BE OVERWHELMED!’ (hundreds of t-shirts were made in the early 1990s and given out or sold). This statement reflects a fundamental premise that though we may often feel overwhelmed, especially as we fearlessly open our perceptions and awareness to what is going on around the globe in terms of fear-based destruction, we will not be overwhelmed. As a good friend, who has a long history of psychotic life experiences said, “I may feel crazy and devasted [at times] but I am not defeated.” The phrase ‘I’ won’t be overwhelmed!’ is the universal voice of all people speaking beyond fear in an act of personal resistance to the ‘Fear’ Project. It is the voice of our inherent goodness of Spirit rebelling, as essentially it must, to keep the soul of health intact, when it is under siege by all oppressions. This is the training ground for Sacred Warriorship and a new kind of Leadership.

“To know fearlessness, one must know everything about fear.”

“To travel the liberation journey there are four basic (spiraling) phases and one path: From Victim to Survivor—across the ‘Fear’ Barrier—to Sacred Warrior (Magician) to Royal Leader”

Specific Projects: They Came and Went and Continue

I have learned immensely from the lessons of a “vision” of fearlessness, a community built around it, and the tragedies of working in a resistance movement that is difficult for most people to understand. I have thus, been continually passionate to experiment with organizations interested to be fearless, healing and learning communities, critical pedagogy and curriculum designs, and transformative fearless technologies available. Sometimes, we’ve had to make things up as we went. Below is a list of some of the specific projects I (and others, in some cases) have undertaken since 1989 (there are historical documents available for research purposes if anyone wishes to read more about these):

  1. Fear and fearlessness workshops (1989- 1998)
  2. Hurting and healing workshops (often usings arts-based ways) (1989-1998)
  3. In Search of Fearlessness Centre (Co-founded with Barbara Bickel)(1991- )
  4. In Search of Fearlessness Research Institute Publishing House (with Barbara Bickel) (1992- )
  5. Canadian-Colombian ‘Fear’ Vaccine Project (1995-1997)
  6. School of Sacred Warriorship (later, became Neo-Rebel School) (founded with Normand Bergeron) (1993-1996)
  7. Fearless Foundation (2000-2001)
  8. Fear Researchers/Practitioners Network (2000- )
  9. Fear Watch Institute (founded with Jan Sheppard) (1997- )
  10. Fear Studies/Education Curriculum Project (2002- )

  NEWS & EVENTS  

   June 08 , 2007 - Book Release

Elicit Bodies
Art Exhibition & Performance Ritual
R. Michael Fisher & Barbara Bickel

Published by In Search of Fearlessness Research Institute

Edited by Nan Ariadné Jordan, Elicit Bodies is a catalogue that offers a visual discourse of aesthetic and intellectual inquiries into the art work of R. Michael Fisher & Barbara Bickel. With essays and an interview by illustrious Canadian artists-writers, Yvonne Owens, Eva Tihanyi, and Jordan, as well as a DVD of the performance ritual as documented by artist Leslie Stanick, this 35 page book is a tour de force in collaborative intertextual engagement of the sensitive and sacred.

ISBN NO. 0-9697347-1-0

Limited number of copies available $30 Canadian
Order from rmichaelfisher@gmail.com


      March 11, 2007 – It has been exciting to write up a course I’d love to teach at the post-secondary level, and have it accepted. So this summer I’ll teach a 3 wk. intensive optional (open) undergrad course in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge (maybe you can join us there?). The course description is as follows:

HLSC 2850 “Addiction Recovery as Fear Management: A Post-Modern View”
This inter-(trans-)disciplinary introductory course explores the history of, and current dynamics of, the “culture of fear” in the context of a postmodern “risk society” post-9/11. Participants in the course will investigate and learn how the culture of fear is a type of terror/fear (and pain) management system that closely parallels, and constructs, the patterned strategies of addictions (and recovery) in individuals and groups. “Addiction” is treated in the course as a “fear management” process that is innate and learned at the biological, psychology, cultural, political, and individual levels of existence. Based on the instructor’s extensive research for 18 years on ‘fear’ and fearlessness, nine different types of terror/fear (and pain) management systems are elucidated along with their potential usefulness and pathologies. Based on mapping the “existential geography” essential to improving our “existential intelligence,” a spectrum of 9 different systems of treatment (recovery and healing) are recommended as a means to integrative awareness, social work, therapy, pedagogy, organizational design, management, leadership, policy formation, politics, and general wholesome living. General Purpose: Through the use of a postmodern perspective coupled with an integral methodological pluralism (a la Ken Wilber), via theory (75%) and practices (25%), the participants will gain a basic alternative overview (i.e., holistic/integral perspective) on effective treatment of individual and societal growth pathologies (i.e., addictions). This course provides the basis for critical discernment enabling participants (and those they serve) to disengage, more or less, from fear-based “management” approaches to fear-based problem-solving—the latter, typically never work.

Required Course Texts:
1. Bauman, Z. (2006). Liquid fear. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.
2. Furedi, F. (2006). Culture of fear revisited. London, UK: Continuum.


        August 12, 2006- I have been supervising Elisebeth VanderWeil, a doctoral student at Gonzaga University, WA., in Leadership. Her dissertation focuses on "Embracing 'the Other': Exploring Fear in Transformational Adult Learning." She's currently doing interviews with eminent educators like Parker Palmer, Nel Noddings, Megan Boler, all who have written on the affective side of learning and fear. Her dissertation is exploring the issue of why the more positive side of "fear" has not been given much attention in adult education research and writing.

I have just completed a short interview with artist/musician Lizzie West (who has a fascinating website you may want to check out re: a radical collective for artist). Lizzie believes "... Art is a wonderful way to build a resistance to the virus of fear." She has a gig and music label called Holy Road Tours, in which she works to match artists (especially musicians) with their fans so that all involved in the tours can have a more high quality exchange and work mutually toward 'curing' the fear everyone seems so preoccupied with these days. For Lizzie et al., "Fear is a disease that slowly takes over our primal sense of love, fate and inner Bliss. If it's not cured, it can keep us from accomplishing what we are meant to accomplish in this lifetime.... The society we live in thrives on fear. If forces us to worship money which keeps us constantly clinging to the past or future, always wanting but never having enough." I look forward to further connections with her collective which is called "Anti-fear Movement Agency." Very cool.


        August 1, 2006- I have undertaken an intriguing "Dialoguing on Fear" art project for 2006-2007, which you may want to check out (click on ARTFEAR RESEARCH PROJECTS) on my website. This involves asking people, like yourself, to interview me as a "fearologist" and contribute to improving the quality of critical knowledge about fear and fearlessness in our world and developing skillful means to use that knowledge for the 'good' of all beings on Earth. I look forward to hearing from you, if you are interested to help out.


        February 19, 2006 - The “Fear” conferences continue... here are a few I am aware of coming up you may want to check out further. May 19, 2006- “Fear” A one-day conference at Trinity College Dublin in association with the MPhil in Popular Literature. “This conference seeks to explore and engage in issues surrounding fear both as a subject matter and a tactic in popular culture and its varying discourses...” Dr. Frank Furedi (University of Kent) is Keynote speaker. May 5-7, 2006, “Fear, Space, and the Subject of Violence” at the University of Alberta, graduate students, in Western Canada are invited and papers can be submitted to cacs@mailman.srv.ualberta.ca ; March 3-4, 2006 “Climate of Fear, Commitment to Peace” conference put on by the Thomas Merton Society, in Vancouver, and then to travel across Canada apparently. Contact Judith Hardcastle, Program Director, Thomas Merton Society of Canada judithhardcastle@telus.net


        Starting Sept. 19-24, 2005, I will be showing my recent art works in an exhibit entitled FEAROLOGY OF TECHNOLOGY: A Phenomenology of "Educational" Weapons of Mass Destruction". This serious follows up on some a/r/tographic work I have done on the experience of growing up as a young child in schools and a technological culture. It could be male (and female) growing up, as I take on my the 'Fear' Matrix and how it uses coloring books, and other devices to shape the young mind into a world of technological "illusion" of control and power. The art exhibit is at A.M.S. Art Gallery, University of British Columbia campus, Student's Union Building, East Mall (open 10am- 4pm daily). Artist talk on Sept. 22 at noon.


        April 30, 2005- I have been writing chapters for a couple of books lately, one on integral education and the other on technology and education. I have long ago quit association with the Universal Responsibility Institute and Dynamic Achievement Group, as they proved to be not what I expected. My focus has been on researching The Matrix film trilogy further and forming a study group around it, where we would like to explore popular culture and politics and see if we can get young people and old people together in the same room to dialogue on the important future themes that wonderful movie provides. If you are interested in joining this group or want more information just e-mail me. I just finished a 25 piece art exhibit called "Fearology of Technology," where I explore the relationship of fear, technology and early educational experiences. I hope to exhibit this art show in the fall at an art gallery or two, adding it to my research on Fear Education and the creation of a new 'fear' vaccine. A few family and friends have agreed to move ahead with an initiative to establish a working and living community called INTEGRAL-R. I'll post more on that later, and we'll likely set up a website and be contacting those who might be interested in what it means to actually live and work together in intimate relationships that are integrally-informed, self-critical, and self-correcting; where 'fear'-based patterns in the organizational culture are undermined from the start. We believe gender, ethics, leadership, and educational issues are going to be at the forefront of this community model, among many other projects."


        December 18, 2004- Every now and then I write out a summary of MY OVERALL PROJECT to clarify for myself and others what I am up to. The following is an excerpt from Technical Paper No. 17: My Overall Project: to find a "linking" philosophy (and theories) that could uncover and define enough common roots to the varied, often contradictory, discourses on fear in the various disciplines and domains of human societies. I wanted an integral way to sytematically organize the knowledge on fear, without restraint and with as least bias as possible, well-konwing that any organization of knowledge has limitations. My quest was for a fearless standpoint theory (view) in which fear could be understood outside of the 'Fear' Matrix that has been created and which makes us see fear in a very biased (and deadly) way. I wanted both the linking philosophy and the sytematic organizing to be seamless and justifiable, based on rational thought and intuitive sense, capable of stating critical distinctions and making value-based discriminations when required, as how to best know fear and thus, how to best manage fear. In turn, this new fear management theory would be interal in its critique of other fear management theories, which simultaneously being self-critical and inviting critique from them. I term this total work in progress, critical integral fear management practice, which is the foundation of any good quality Fear Education or Fear Studies program. And all of this work is to bring a reduction, if not an end, to violence/hurting and environmental degradation on this planet.


        May 12, 2004 - I have a new position as Director of Research and Education for the Universal Responsibility Institute and Dynamic Achievement Group (profit)-- both of which are moving forward with applying the integral model and spirituality to building an alternative school for Sept. 2004, and in bringing consciousness and ethics into the workplace. Very exciting times with this community-based group in W. Vancouver, as we are attempting to synthesize the best of the work of Ken Wilber, Don Beck and Andrew Cohen (as the core), among other leading-edge folks.


        Apr. 2004 - There seems to be a trend happening in America, and I suspect it is going to spread (perhaps rapidly) in the next few years. People are taking control of their own "fear education." It is about time! This is the trend of groups setting up FEAR CONFERENCES. The first was in New York this Feb. (2004) (see info. below). The second is happening in Minnesota, as I write this note.

From April 15-16th, THE FEAR CONFERENCE, sponsored by the student and faculty development committee at Inver Hills Community College, presents a series of very interesting and diverse panels, discussions, workshops and lectures on "fear and how it influences us individually and as a society." Dr. Barry Glassner, author of The Culture of Fear is the opening featured speaker. The schedule is impressive, with local experts of all kinds coming to a post-secondary eduational institution to start dialogues on fear and our world. Very impressive.

For more information see http://faculty.inverhills.mnscu.edu/hbrient/Fear%20Conference

        Jan. 2004 - Integral Peer Counselling

Barbara (my wife) and I have just taught the first Integral Peer Counseling (Level One Training) in Vancouver. On Jan. 23-24 we introduced a small group of people to the basics of the new peer counseling model that incorporates the radical traditions of Liberation Peer Counseling and other models like Re-evaluation Co-counseling and our addition of Spiral Dynamics Technology (meme theory). If you would like more information on this work, drop me a line."


        Nov. 8, 2003 -

"ART-POLITIK-CINEMATIC:
Forging At The Frontiers Of Fearwork"

Any of you who have followed my work on fear know that I have a rather strong artistic bent to the exploration of "how in the hell are we going to battle the fear on this planet?" I think of art-politics-cinema (performance) and fear in one breath and one movement. Warriors and diplomats of peace are becoming more and more interested in the source of violence-- that is, in fear. Artists, I believe, have been at the leading edge of understanding and working with fear-- and in time, the rest of the researchers, and leaders, and populus, will catch up.

Recently, Calgarian freelance writer-film maker Gary Burns (and wife Donna Brunsdale) produced a showing of "A Problem With Fear" about the everyday fears of city life, and he attacks the way fear is used to sell products. This film, although I've seen it yet, is along the lines of Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine." Gotta love these independent artists doing fearwork.

Seeing "The Matrix Revolutions" (last of the trilogy by the Wachowski Brothers) really blew my socks! I didn't like the second film but I have to retract that criticism now that I've seen the trilogy. A must see if you want to see through the way 'fear' operates in this world and every other world imaginable-- in The Matrix. I would have to say, this is not a "movie" it is an "event"-- equal, in an artistic and political sense, to the quantum revolution in physics at the turn of the 20th century! I'll bet my life on that! Although, this may not be admitted by the legions of normal society until after my life is past... ouch!

Artists, and pop culture come up with the coolest words (which I have labeled independently in my own research). One yahoo group, who have all watched the film "Fear of a Black Cat" (which I haven't seen), are talking about being "Fearologists" as they are adopting everything from that movie as they speak and live. Gosh, I know that feeling, as that is somewhat how the Matrix trilogy has impacted upon me. Then there is a band called INTERFEAR (sounds like young people) who have written on their website about "Fearology" as a way of living and working and making art in the world. Way to go... although, my take on using these words is much more theoretical and "serious"-- I gotta think the spirit is calling for humans to use these words for a reason. Thank god/dess artists are more imaginative than the psychologists I read who write about fear. Of course, we need both, all, and no one has the right to be the top-dog in the world of imagination-- but artists are leading.


        Oct. 11, 2003 - NEW FEAR AND FEARLESS BIBLIOGRAPHIES AVAILABLE (at no cost)

I am finally in the process of getting the large collection of bibliographies I have collected for several years together in a digital form. These are ideal for researchers on fear and fearlessness. The bibliographies are categorized under the following:

  • Anthropology
  • Cultural Studies
  • Education
  • Feminism
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Political
  • Sociology
  • Spirituality
     

 


        Oct. 11, 2003 - Public (free) CONFERENCE ON FEAR (Feb. 5-7, 2004)- New York City

The New School University Graduate Faculty and the prestigious journal Social Research have received a $50,000 Russell Sage Foundation grant to put on a conference entitled: FEAR: ITS POLITICAL USES AND ABUSES. I'll sure be there. Here is what the advertisement of the conference said:

"The conference... will explore the ways in which we are living in a time of fear. 'Since September 11, fear has become an enormously effective political tool in the United States, particularly in the hands of the government and the media,' says conference director Arien Mack.... 'This conference is intended as a forum of discussion, and will compare our own situation to other times and places where fear has been similiarly used.'

Among other issues to be examined will be how governments use fear to their advantage; the effects of fear on a populace (what is the product of those red, orange, and yellow alerts?); how today's political use of fear compares to that of times past, such as the 'Red Scare;' how political theories can help us to understand fear; and finally, whether fear can ever play a positive role in political life.

For more info: http://www.newschool.edu/gf/news/articles/030903_sage-award.htm


        Sep. 25, 2003 - Michael is currently finishing a report entitled : CAPITALIZING ON FEAR: A BASELINE STUDY IN THE CULTURE OF FEAR. This is the first systematic synthesis of the literature on this topic. The report comissioned by Intellectual Architects, Ltd. Minneapolis, MN www.intellectualarchitects.com, will be available in October. If you would like further information, contact Michael or Intellectual Architects. Micheal is partneering up with Intellectual Architects, and his new e-mail address is michael@intellectualarchitects.com.


        Apr. 25, 2003- Fisher Fear Labs begins with a vision. One cannot but help being creatively stirred to take action against a deadly mutating virus, like SARS, HIV, or the common flu and cold. Fisher Fear Labs has made an important real (or metaphorical) link with the patterned architecture of systems of immunity in both the biological world and in the world of computer anti-virus technology—and, the world of the FPV+ (‘fear’ pattern virus). In an interview with himself, R. Michael Fisher, Ph.D., fearologist, says there is an important need for a Fear Lab, with the kind of sophistication of any immunology lab, or any antivirus computer sciences lab, or state security lab. The work is the same work.

        In 1991, Fisher identified the FPV+ as the core of all human problems, well almost. He was convinced that with further detailed research it would be more than a metaphor that would link his notion of ‘fear’ with the findings on viruses and immunological security systems, whatever the level of complexity from a virus to a nation.. Working with colleagues at the In Search of Fearlessness Institute, Calgary, AB, Fisher developed a sophisticated ‘fear’ vaccine process that many people, including himself, have found very useful to fight off the effects of the FPV+. The long and the short of it, is that the ‘fear’ vaccine, had something to do with fearlessness and that had something to do with immunological imaginary power in the human mind and social groups with dedication to the Fearlessness Project that he co-founded in 1989. But there were flaws and the ‘fear’ virus proved to mutate, self-replicate, and disguise itself just like “stealth,” “retro” and “mutating” viruses in computer programs. He is now learning more from the biology of immunology and computer antiviral technologies that in the Fisher Fear Lab will become the leading edge of research and new practices to undermine the FPV+ that has now taken polymorphous forms worldwide.

        Fisher says, jokingly, “and I don’t mean to frighten people by this research.” In fact, he is looking for financial and spiritual donors for the new Labs. His longterm vision is that a government and/or an independent international NGO would monitor the spread of FPV+ around the world and regulate those who spread it accidentally or on purpose. Policies and government legislation will be required eventually to control the spread of this dys-ease and to support the funding of other Labs such as the one Fisher has envisioned. New education on the FPV+ is going to be critical, Fisher believes.


 

  CANADA LEADS THE WAY WITH  
  TACKLING THE 'FEAR' VIRUS  

"Spreading faster than SARS virus, is fear."
                                - CBC TV, Apr. 17/03

Maybe it will take a fearless woman leader to get us on the right track to stop the devastating costs of fear. Federal politician, the Honorable Anne McLellan, Liberal Minister of Health, says we have to put more study into the "psychological impact of fear." McLellan recently delivered her fear speech to the World Health Organization Annual Assembly in Geneva (CBC Radio, May 20, 2003). She is the first politician in a long time, perhaps since F.D. Roosevelt, former Pres. of the U.S.A, who is peaking out forcefully to the world community to improve the way we handle fear as nations and as a global body. The recent terrorism, SARS, mad-cow disease, and W. Nile virus scares have left many leaders aware but relatively silent as what to do about fear itself in these situations. W.H.O. spokesperson lamented at the Annual Assembly that we all have not done a good job in terms of providing a proper education on these threats. The cost has been of biggest concern to McLellan. "Fear can be devastating as a social economic phenomena," she said. And she has it right. The resources required to research these threats and protect people are essential as front line defense. However, McLellan is guiding us all to not lose track of the bigger problem that we are less efficient at dealing with-- that is, fear itself, which so easily moves to panic. We require a new kind of leadership that is fearlessly williing to admit the larger systemic problem in our world of a growing "culture of fear," which operates on its own illogics of confusing the actual risk (probability of damage) of a danger like SARS, with what the fear of that danger constructs as "risk" (which is more fear than danger). But what the world has seen, particularly since 9/11, is that fear is not going to give in so easily to rational information. We have to challenge fear collectively by designing integrated means of education about dangers and how to better assess the risk without falling prey to fear creating a 'mountain out of a mole hill.' If McLellan and the W.H.O. are moving down the right road to interrupt this serious fear-problem in our world, I encourage them to look to an interdisciplinary research approach that involves more than just the "psychological impact of fear." My own research has shown that 'fear' is now a commodity that sells. News media, advertisers and power/fear-mongers of all sorts have to be challenged in public, if not fined by new legislation, to stop constructing virtual 'fear' (distorted "risk") for gains that are less than in the greatest good of public interest. This can be done with careful planning and a holistic approach to the study of 'fear' itself.

                                - R. Michael Fisher, Ph.D.
                                Fearologist

 

  SEMINARS & SERVICES  

 

FEAR KNOWLEDGE & EDUCATION AUDIT (FKE Audit)

        Finding Ethical Integrity in Fear (Management) Education

                R. Michael Fisher, Ph.D.

Who is this for? – any group, nation, organization, family, couple, or individual, who believes that it is important to teach about fear in the most informed manner possible, that is, with the best fear knowledge and education (not propaganda).

What is it? - The FKE Audit was created by R. Michael Fisher Ph.D., fearologist, to provide an effective and efficient assessment of the strengths and weakness of the current ways you approach the topic of fear. He provides recommendations from the FKE Audit and follow-up support services to meet the challenges you face and the recommendations you wish to prioritize for change.

FKE Audit (Some basic questions asked):

  1. how do you use the concept “fear” in your work, teaching, personal life?
  2. how do you teach the concept of fear and what theory is this based on?
  3. what theories of fear do you reject (and why?), or do you neglect (and why?)
  4. how do you assess your fear knowledge and education (what criteria?) and how do you critically evaluate the criteria itself?
  5. what makes you think your way of dealing with fear is best? or, is inadequate?
  6. have others critiqued your way of conceptualizing, teaching, or dealing with fear? If so, how have you reacted?
  7. have you considered re-evaluating fear and how to best teach about it since the 9/11 tragedy and the “War on Terror(ism)”?
  8. have you a theoretically justified theory of domination, conflict, fear, and violence that are intimately linked in a holistic model?

 

What I have found in my research is that groups, organizations, families, or individuals operate around the topic of fear along a developmental continuum from:

Unconscious across 'Fear' barrier #1 > Conscious > across 'Fear' barrier #2 ~> Superconscious"

Why Not Focus on Courage, Instead of Fear? – there is a lot of years of research and experience behind this choice. Mostly, it is because I have recognized in the evolution of humankind that 10 fear management systems occur in a developmental spiral. Courage/Bravery (Level 6a) is only one, albeit a major one, of the fear management systems. Beyond level 6a are levels 6b, 7, 8, and 9 in how to better conceptualize and work with fear. “Fearless” is also a very important term in the FKE Audit.

The FKE Audit works with helping to determine the level(s) of fear management systems (or security systems) that are employed by groups, nations, organizations, families, couples, or individuals. Each FKE Audit has universal elements as well as customized aspects that are meant to match your particular local characteristics and needs. The FKE Audit is adaptable to be offered onsite, as well as offsite, or various combinations to suit budgets and technologies available.

[The Conflict Knowledge and Education Audit (CKE) is also available—and it is recommended, when possible to combine the FKE and CKE because of their close interrelationships, especially in regard to how we deal with violence and injustice]

For more information on these Audits contact Michael.

 


 

  CONSULTING SERVICES  

 

I have started Red Pill Blue Pill Counselling Services. When you feel trapped in The Matrix... or simply, when life is challenging you to make some new and difficult choices... call R. Michael Fisher, Ph.D. 604 224-3384 Vancouver, BC (central location)

I am offering skillful therapeutic and philosophical services on all kinds of issues for individuals, couples, families, groups. The individual rate is $90 (Can. funds) for 1.5 hrs. Group rates to be negotiated. Free 15 minute consultations may be made by phone to determine if you and I are a good match for full sessions.

I have been in private practice as a therapeutic counselor for 10 years. I bring a wide and in depth range of life experience and training to your sessions. My style is eclectic and accommodating to your needs and preferences. Creativity, warmth, and fearlessness are my primary gifts in helping you heal through past hurts and move elegantly into solution-focused actions for current problems.

[ In some cases, of low income, disabilities, or unemployment, the rate may be lowered. All sessions in English only.]

 

- Courses     - Lectures & Workshops     - Program Designs     - Research & Development

A strong presenter and group facilitator, Michael has a creative and dynamic approach which is effective and popular with professional and laypersons alike.

Michael has developed leadership training and recovery programs for people in transitional crisis from age 14-65. He has a successful record in family crisis intervention dealing with youth and family violence. He lives his commitment to transformation, with 16 years experience in intentional community, co-op housing and other team building experiences in human service organizations.

Drawing on the strengths already operating with his clients, Michael’s tailored presentations or programs are intended to inspire and equip organizations to face the challenges of the future fearlessly!


Benefits Of Michael’s Work

  • offering clear distinctions and critical thinking about values that really encourage healing and sustainable lifestyles beyond coping and fear
  • original and creative models that bring the understanding of ourselves and the world into a refreshing perspective
  • inspiration and renewed commitment to our true path and purpose based on love and trust
  • learning new skills for building strong co-operative relationships, groups and organizations for a rapidly changing, demanding and sometimes terrifying future


Participant’s Experiences With Michael’s Teaching & Facilitating

 

“This course has brought an awareness of the root causes of the many patterns that exist in all of our lives. In this respect it has redefined hope for the future.”

– Continuing Education Student, University of Calgary

 

“The course was extremely useful for my entire life—relationships, work, life satisfaction etc. I have a university degree and this is the most useful course I have ever taken.”

– Continuing Education Student, University of Calgary

 

“Your presentation was inspirational and dealt with more than just art. The issues addressed during the inservice workshop related to the daily challenges of our profession and provided us all with some good food for thought… leaving us each a personal challenge to examine the healing process in a new perspective.”

– Coordinator, Recreation and Childlife Workers, Alberta Children’s Hospital

 

“To me Sacred Warriorship is the quest for wholeness. You’ve opened my mind, soul and heart to a whole new world. Thanks for being true to who you are, and sharing that fabulous person with the rest of us.”

– Student, School of Sacred Warriorship

 

“It is apparent from your writing that you are bright, well educated, and seeker of truth…. Being an outsider has also apparently helped you acquire and retain an independence of mind.”

- Dr. W. Wolfensberger, Director of the Training Institute for Human Service Planning, Leadership and Change Agentry, Syracuse University, NY

 


Courses, Lectures, Seminars, Workshops and Program Designs

Michael is pleased to offer his services and designs for a fearless technology to your unique interests, needs and situations, in a variety of settings. His main work is with groups in the age 14-65 range.

He has a great interest in working to improve how we conceptualize violence, conflict, safety, security and the impact of a growing culture of fear and victimship as these impact on leadership, teaching and parenting.


Brand New Course*

He currently has a 4th year or graduate course prepared and ready to launch, entitled: “Approaching Trauma: A Critical Interdisciplinary Perspective" (ask Michael for details).


Research and Development

Of particular passionate interest, is Michael’s aim to assist people with conflict and establish sustainable fearless organizations and curriculum designs. (See other links for details).

 

Would You Like To Hire A FEAROLOGIST?

  • FEAROLOGY is the study of the relationship of fear, in all its various forms, to human & environmental problems
  • Dr. Fisher is a recent recipient of a doctoral degree from research on fear and fearless education, with a committed passion to design and implement the very best quality education on fear in the world, using fearology as its basis

Inquires to:

R. Michael Fisher, Ph.D.

r.michaelfisher52@gmail.com

 

  FAVORITE QUOTES & BOOKS ON FEAR  


[The following content will be changed periodically. Please send in your favorites and I’ll post them now and then.]

    As a fearologist, I have collected not only a massive number of fear quotes (30,000+) but I have a greater interest in attempting to categorize them and make sense of them in light of human history and understanding. Therefore, you will not find the typical, and rather meaningless, list of quotes on fear here that are found in books of quotes and many websites.

    My research goal has been to collect quotes on fear (and fearless) and store them like artifacts are kept in a museum or plant specimens in a herbarium. I believe the fear discourses are important historical specimens of how humans think and talk about fear. I have thus created a feararium to display and preserve these fear quotes through time and across disciplines and cultures. Future curiousity-seekers or serious fearologists are welcome to study the feararium materials. As well, I offer services, at a reasonable and negotiable fee, to assist anyone who would like to order fear discourses (specimens) as quotes for that special event, person etc. I specialize in custom selections for research documents, books, essays, speeches or that ‘gift’ you send to someone dear or otherwise. Original authors of these fear quotes are always acknowledged.

    Full reference citations for the following Favorite quotes are available upon request, at no charge.

 

ALL TIME MOST IMPORTANT


“We are not bad, we are afraid.”

- Jeanne Segal, 1984

“In our society we make much of love and say little about fear.”

- bell hooks, 2000

 

ALL TIME MOST INSPIRING


"What we need is a fear vaccine"

- Michael Shermer, 2002

 

ALL TIME MOST PATHOLOGICAL


“… [let’s together] rid the world’s nations of terrorism so that all God’s children can live without fear.”

- U.S. General Colin Powell, 01/20/03

 

PROFOUND


“It is not power that corrupts…. It is fear…”.

– Aung San Suu Kyi, 1995

 

EDUCATIONAL


“Education’s nemesis is not ignorance but fear. Fear gives ignorance its power.”

- Parker Palmer, 1997

“The 17th century was the century of mathematics;
The 18th century that of physics;
The 19th century of biology; and
The 20th century is the century of fear.”

- Albert Camus, c. 1943-44p

 

“Last weeks school shootings… gave corporate media another chance to titillate, sensationalize, and promote fear at the expense of our nation’s youth.”

- Geov Parish, 1998

 

RADICAL


“Fear must be entirely eliminated—fear of adults, fear of punishment, fear of disapproval, fear of God. Only hate can flourish in an atmosphere of fear.”

– A.S. Neill, 1960

 

FEMINIST


“Fear cements this [“Male Supremacist Society”] system together. Fear is the adhesive that holds each part in place.”

- Andrea Dworkin, 1976

 

PARADOXICAL “JUSTICE”


“[re: Bin Laden and his warriors] A group of barbarians who declared war…. We will smoke them out of their holes, put them on the run and bring justice.”

- U.S. Pres. G. W. Bush Jr., 2001

“America is full of fear, from its North to its South, from its West to its East and thanks be to God that what America is tasting now is only a copy of what we have tasted.”

– Osama bin Laden, 2001

 

PROSAIC & PITHY


“Some have merged into greatness despite adversity. They refuse to listen to their fears.”

- Charles Swindoll, 1987

 

POLITICAL & SCHOLARLY


“Fear is intimately connected to what some scholars consider the political question par excellence—namely, the question of order.”

- Juan Corradi et al., 1992

 

ETHICALLY POETIC


“Rather perish than hate and fear, and twice rather perish than make oneself hated and feared—this must someday become the highest maxim for every single commonwealth too.”

- Friedrich Nietzsche, 19th century

 

DANGEROUS TRUISM


“There is only one way to deal with a power like Russia and that is the fearless way."

- Karl Marx, 1853

 

TRADITIONAL TRUISM


“Fear is a staple of popular culture and politics.”

- Brian Massumi, 1993

“In politics, what begins in fear usually ends in folly.”

- T. S. Coleridge, 19th century

 

TRAGIC COMEDY


“Being from Earth as you are and using as little of your brain as you do—your life has pretty much been devoted to dealing with fear.”

- Daniel’s Lawyer, from the 1991 film “Defending Your Life” by Albert Brooks

 

Global Fear - a poem excerpt by Eduardo Galeano (2000)
“Those who work are afraid they’ll lose their jobs.
Those who don’t are afraid they’ll never find one.
Whoever doesn’t fear hunger is afraid of eating.
rivers are afraid of walking and pedestrians are afraid of getting run over.
Democracy is afraid of remembering and language is afraid of speaking.
Civilians fear the military, the military fears a shortage of weapons, weapons fear a shortage of wars.

 

CLEVER (not wise)ADVERTISING & GLOBALIZING


“Fear of failure fear of success fear of losing your health fear of losing your mind fear of being taken too seriously fear of not being taken seriously enough fear that you worry too much fear that you don’t worry enough your mother’s fear you’ll never marry your father’s fear that you will—Group Therapy from Nike—Just Do It!”

- Ad cited in William Anselmi & Kosta Gouliamos, 1998

 

A FEW FAVORITE BOOKS ON FEAR

Altheide, D. (2002). Creating fear: News and the construction of crisis. Hawthorne, NY: Aldine de Gruyter.

Barber, B.R. (2003). Fear's empire: War, terrorism, and democracy. NY: W.W. Norton.

Baudrillard, J. (2002). The spirit of terrorism and requiem for the twin towers. NY: Verso.

Bauman, Z. (2006). Liquid fear. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.

Becker, E. (1973/97). The denial of death. NY: Free Press.

Bourke, T. (2006). Fear: A cultural history. Emeryville, CA: Shoemaker & Hoard.

Chodron, P. (2001). The places that scare you: A guide to fearlessness in difficult times. Boston, MA: Shambhala.

de Becker, G. (2002). Fear Less: Real truth about risk, safety, and security in a time of terrorism. Boston, MA: Little, Brown & Co.

Furedi, F. (2006). Culture of fear revisited. London: Continuum.

Furedi, F. (2002). Paranoid parenting: Why ignoring the experts may be best for your child. Chicago, IL: Chicago Review Press.

Gillian, S. N. (2005). Terrified by education: Teaching children to fear learning. Bronx, NY: Phemore Press.

Glassner, B. (1999). The culture of fear: Why Americans are afraid of the wrong things. NY: Basic Books.

Keen, S. (1983). The passionate life: Stages of loving. NY: Harper & Row.

Krishnamurti, J. On fear. NY: HarperCollins.

Massumi, B. (Ed.) (1993). The politics of everyday fear. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.

Overstreet, B. (1951/71). Understanding fear in ourselves and others. NY: Harper & Row.

Pyszczynski, T. et al. (2002). In the wake of 9/11: The psychology of terror. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Robin, C. (2003). Fear: Biography of an idea. N.Y: Oxford University Press.

Rutledge, T. (2002). Embracing fear and finding the courage to live your life. NY: HarperSanFrancisco.

Trungpa, C. (1985). Shambhala: Sacred path of the warrior. Boston, MA: Shambhala.

Tuan, Yi-Fu (1979). Landscapes of fear. NY: Pantheon Books.

Wilber, K. (1981). Up from Eden: A transpersonal view of human evolution. NY: Anchor Press.

 

 

You need to be a member of Fearlessness Movement to add comments!

Join Fearlessness Movement

Email me when people reply –