fear - Photos - Fearlessness Movement2024-03-29T14:39:15Zhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/feed/tag/fearTeacher's Speak Out Against Fearhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/screen-shot-2024-03-17-at-2-55-53-pm2024-03-17T21:59:38.000Z2024-03-17T21:59:38.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12401733653?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Fear and surveillance culture go together. A deadly combination for the future of our children.</p>
<p>Here is an excellent article reporting the problem of cell phones and laptops and programs built-in them for parents to look at what the children are doing all the time. It's a world of virtually no privacy for young people. Why? Because their parents are traumatized in the last generation, is one reason. Fear-based parenting has long been a concern of mine! </p>
<p>Read the <a href="https://slate.com/human-interest/2024/03/phone-free-schools-movement-parents-teenagers.html" target="_blank">10 min. article</a></p>
<p>The Fearlessness Movement ought to have a say in these things... </p></div>Igniting a Fear Praxis for Teachinghttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/sg-book-cover-font2024-03-04T18:26:11.000Z2024-03-04T18:26:11.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12395849490?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>The life and courage of Samuel Nathan Gillian Jr., is something I could not ignore, when I first came across his work on fear in 2004. There are several other FM blogs on his work here you can search. I wanted to celebrate the book it took over 3 years to write on him, and hopefully I will write a second one as well which goes deeper into his philosophy and spirituality. </p>
<p>To order the book: <a href="https://www.peterlang.com/document/1348329">https://www.peterlang.com/document/1348329</a></p>
<p>Now, for a good interview on Ernest Becker's ideas/theory of "terror" of existence motivating everything humans do, which includes the denial of that terror (as fear defense), go to: </p>
<p><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-denial-of-death/id1081584611?i=1000647919852">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-denial-of-death/id1081584611?i=1000647919852</a></p>
<p>[film entitled: "All Illusions Must Be Broken", of which I am looking forward to soon seeing it]</p>
<p>I share this interview on a film on Becker's work by Jeft Sewel. & Laura Dunn (2024). Why it is particularly important here is that Samuel N. Gillian Jr. is the one educator I know who gave such long and deep study of Becker's work and applied it to his own philosophy and pedagogy (i.e., the field of education)--but, sadly, Gillian is virtually unknown, and is ignored, and his time has come--thus, I wrote this book. </p>
<p>PURCHASE of Gillian's two books can be <strong>ordered through R. Michael Fisher (r.michaelfisher52@gmail.com),</strong> each of his original books, no longer in print, are excellent studies of his philosophy and approach to fear and teaching: </p>
<p>The Beauty of Fear (2002) -$20.00 US + shipping (est. 5-7 dollars?)... </p>
<p>Terrified by Education (2005) $20.00 US </p>
<p> </p></div>Not selling fear...https://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/not-selling-fear2023-12-07T18:24:20.000Z2023-12-07T18:24:20.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12310774096?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Nate Hagens is a current podcaster, on systems theories and explaining issues humanity faces, and he says on this Eps. #100 of his show, the following text (on the image). Interesting, how he places fear and understanding as polarities or opposites. </p></div>New Series on Insecurityhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/slide1-242023-11-21T06:10:35.000Z2023-11-21T06:10:35.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12296385072?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>A colleague sent me this CBC Massey Lectures series on fear and insecurity and how to work with it practically via social action. </p></div>Barbie and fearhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/barbie-and-fear2023-08-22T15:12:20.000Z2023-08-22T15:12:20.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12202094684?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>I added this image (with words, for a poster effect) from the film "Barbie" out now for viewing in theatres... </p>
<p>Of course it is a feminist movie, but that is only the surface of the layers of meaning and drama that are going on. IT is all about fear (starting with existential crisis)--but even beyond that, it is a movie that critiques capitalism/consumerism and pseud-reality that we can live "secured" in perfectness as an "IDEAL" for which is really only a 'fear' projection on the "REAL"--and, the layers of deeper meaning are quickly revealed and there is not just coping going on in the movie but there is healing--and there is animism legitimated that "objects" (so-called) actually have "life" and they can transform their makers, and visa versa--boundary crossing in the 'magical' is a welcomed consciousness that is valued and made into a great teaching lesson. Again, beyond the surfaces of pink and pretty-- there is a deep spiritual message for humankind in this movie. Highly recommended. A good specimen to study fear and its role and the mistakes of bad fear management coping strategies that create a 'flaw' that will eventually 'crack' -- of course, I was critical the film (at the end scene especially) did not review the great suffering and tragedy of 'becoming human'-- too bad, Matell and Warner Bros. and producers obviously didn't want to depress people in a movie musical that is supposed to be comedy (with a message). I wish I was director of the film, for I would definitely redo the ending to be more in line with reality of human existence on this planet. </p>
<p> </p></div>Enunciation: Mother's & Sonshttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/slide1-222023-08-07T13:11:26.000Z2023-08-07T13:11:26.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12178246257?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>I created this mash-up image as a poster for my felt-resonance with the enunciations of the recent suicides and deaths and mothers and sons... on this planet, in these crisis times. </p></div>A.I. Fear Codehttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/a-i-fear-code2023-08-03T15:52:41.000Z2023-08-03T15:52:41.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12176221883?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>I composed this from an image off the Internet and added text--which is really my critique; I don't see there are designers (coders) who yet know the distinction in what is 'fear'-based and what is fearlessness-based. Thus, until this is altered, I expect no better from A.I. about anything really. It will still remain generating what its ancestors (i.e., humans) have created as 'legacy' and unsustainability because of the unwillingness to work with Nature. The Great Rebellion away from natural principles based on 'fear' patterning is like a 'virus' about to both succeed and fail because it has undermined its own sustainability in its rebellion to be uncontrolled (so-called 'freedom' quest). </p></div>AI is not going away...so...https://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/screen-shot-2023-07-16-at-6-29-50-am2023-07-16T13:34:38.000Z2023-07-16T13:34:38.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12149572887?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>The AI debates rage on. I do think we all need to sit back a bit, reflect honestly and 'fearlessly' about just what is happening with this relationship of human intelligence with artificial intelligence (i.e., machine intelligence). We could learn a lot about ourselves and machines in the process; but yes, Eric Weinstein may be right...the worst thing to do is fear AI to the point where we can't think creatively and wisely about it--and our future together. </p>
<p>At the same time with the flood of materials and perspectives (and propaganda) re: AI, one has to be discerning and that's where a community of inquirers is important, especially when they come from fearlessness on all information. </p>
<p> </p></div>I'm Not Afraidhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/i-m-not-afraid2023-06-13T15:13:03.000Z2023-06-13T15:13:03.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11793841269?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>The Dominant worldview, adopted by virtually every human striving to out-compete another, is leaving our society riveted with the holes and wounds of people acusing others, and in reverse as to who is most afraid or who is simply afraid and who is not. I have labeled this phenomenon a pathological Fear Wars game that will end really badly if we don't recognize it and its unusefulness to anything we wcould call healthy, sane and sustainable quality of life. </p></div>Politicians, Right and Left, Use Fear Talkhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/slide1-182023-06-07T14:06:18.000Z2023-06-07T14:06:18.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11486453878?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>I have often supported Marianne Williamson, running for Dems. in 2024 USA Presidential election, as her philosophy is to turn away from fear, as being a choice, and that is "enlightenment" she teaches. And, then you get on the opposite side of the political divide a Republican like Haley, in a recent speech (CNN Town Hall) telling of what she and people did in 2015 with a shooting there, and as govenor of the state, she too "turned away from fear" and that's her leadership. But you'll see she has another agenda and brings in God, where Williamson could use that language too, but she prefers to use Love. These are words from contemporary women leaders in politics in the USA and we ought not to ignore this. </p>
<p>Yet more importantly, we ought to realize, there is an option to the Love or God talk ways... and, that the very act of "turning away from fear" is not so simple as these leaders tend to share and teach about. The path of fearlessness teachings is way more in depth and complex and in touch with reality and offers yet, a very similar result as what Williamson and Haley are preaching about. The Fearlessness Movement is a whole other way of knowing fear, not just turning away from it. </p></div>Shambhala Warrior Pathhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/shambhala2023-04-02T13:16:53.000Z2023-04-02T13:16:53.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11019339499?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>FEARLESSNESS is not just a word, not just a behavior, not just a character trait. No. It is something so much deeper and broader, historical and even timeless and otherworldly. It is all of that and more. It is mystery as well. And, I wanted to make sure readers of my fearwork understand this. Too often I forget it myself. </p>
<p>In otherwords, the empirical reality of my autobiographical and intellectual life as a person leading the fearlessness movement (Fearlessness Movement)--there is no 'accident' or 'casualness' to how I utilize and align with the forces of the great Sacred Warrior Spirit of Fearlessness (e.g., this started in consciousness, more or less, when I discovered in the mid-1980s this book by Tibetan Buddhist teacher from the East, moved to the West, the late Rinpoche Choygam Trungpa and this book I'm copying the cover from here). it was published in 1984. But only five years later after I had scanned it from a friend's library briefly, was I to then discover its real treasure and traditional lineage of wisdom and compassion--and thus, a total resonance with my soul. I was not to become a Buddhist. No. I was to become a Sacred Warrior...and, the rest is history. </p>
<p>What fascinated me from the start of my own initiation into the Fear and Fearlessness Teachings prior to my in depth look at Shambhala tradition, was that I felt the power of the concepts of Fear and Fearlessness (yes, with capitals). These two words were all I needed to focus on to best understanding the problems of humanity and this planetary crisis we are in. The Fear Problem was the basic label and Fearlessness was its solution. Of course, over the years since 1989 and my re-reading Shambhala --the development of fearology grew and still does. </p>
<p>In Chapter 4 of this book, it is simply entitled: "Fear and Fearlessness" --- whoa! </p>
<p>In brief, my critic/warrior has been on the war-path since late 1989 but it started even earlier in the late 1970s especially but even further back to the early 1970s. I saw (intuitively at first) that humans had lost their 'wild' instinctive intelligence (Defense Intelligence, I later called it). This was lost because their instinctive "warrior" was also being lost and diminished by a culture that was breeding (socializing and educating) people to be more or less dependent 'sheep' or 'mice' if you will. Domestication and infantilization are major ways to accomplish this--making humans more and more duped by the System of Control (i.e., the 'Fear' Matrix). That's why I teach Fear Managemen Education (criticism) through a Fearlessness Paradigm (which is really a Warrior Paradigm in the sacred traditions, which include Shambhala but are not restricted to this tradition). In 1992-4 I founded the School of Sacred Warriorship, in Calgary Alberta but it never took off--maybe it will come back. Today, my main venture is The Fearology Institute. </p>
<p>For an earlier 2017 FM blog on Shambhala: go to <a href="https://fearlessnessmovement.ning.com/blog/trungpa-s-shambhala-warrior">https://fearlessnessmovement.ning.com/blog/trungpa-s-shambhala-warrior</a></p>
<p>And for a recent 2023 (video talk on Fearlessness Path) </p>
<p><a href="https://fearlessnessmovement.ning.com/blog/fearlessness-path-theory-and-practice">https://fearlessnessmovement.ning.com/blog/fearlessness-path-theory-and-practice</a></p></div>Bracha L. Ettinger: Out of the 'Fear' Matrixhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/screen-shot-2023-02-11-at-7-34-25-am2023-02-11T15:39:11.000Z2023-02-11T15:39:11.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10962062675?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=275"></div><div><p>There's really no other theorist like Bracha L. Ettinger, when it comes to figuring out the way--<strong>beyond</strong> the <strong>'Fear' Matrix</strong> (i.e., what she calls the "phallic field" as the "paranoid" (Thanatos or Death Drive) predominant orientation of the psyche in today's culture).</p>
<p>--</p>
<p>This post-Lacanian artist-psychoanalyst and theorist has had a profound impact on my thinking and Barbara's since 2009 or so. Check out her talk if you want to go deep... into the Feminine (a la Matrixial).</p></div>Jean Delumeau (1923-2020): Historian of Fearhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/download2023-01-24T04:42:17.000Z2023-01-24T04:42:17.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10947419480?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=244"></div><div><p>Delumeau was the first (known) historian of fear, albeit, he only studied the 13-18th century European epoch, in a classic work on fear that all scholars ought to read: book title "Sin and Fear: The Emergence of a Western Guilt Culture, 13th-18th Centuries" (St. Martin's Press, 1990). </p>
<p>I myself have scanned this book in various libraries, taken some notes, but not been able to affort to get a copy of this but may someday do so. I just wanted to acknowledge he was a great scholar for us fearists, albeit, his study on fear was not his major expertise but just one such study, from a genre of revisionist history writing in the French 1970-80s, apparently called the "mentalities histories" --a kind of history of mentalities movement. How fascinating... later, a few decades, there appeared the emotion(s) histories movement and it is still going on today. </p>
<p>Found this recent excerpt by radical theologican Matthew Fox : </p>
<p>"French cultural historian Jean Delumeau, in his major study on <em>Sin and Fear: The Emergence of a Western Guilt Culture </em>notes that the fourteenth century birthed a “scruple sickness” that in turn gave birth to a <strong>“new fear—the fear of one’s self”</strong> and that an “excessive sense of guilt and culpability” created a gap that advanced the “dread of God” over the “fear of God” understood as awe. </p>
<p>He believes the Protestant reformers in the sixteenth century reached a vast audience with their message of doctrine of justification by faith and its emphasis on “the world’s fragility, of its vice and its vanity,” where humans were but “dung” and “filth.” </p></div>Theory of 'Fear'https://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/art1-copy2022-12-21T01:45:23.000Z2022-12-21T01:45:23.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10915214666?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Now and then, I believe the holistic-integral way of theorizing (my preference) requires an artistic and aesthetic (arational) flare as well as just the rational--and, the red blood-like mark making brings also in the irrational. Representing all domains as much as possible. We ought to understanding fear (and 'fear') from this kind of integrated knowing. </p>
<p>This is an art piece I did in my dissertation, from the art series I called "Platinum 'Fear': Plat du jour" (2002-03) </p></div>Fear is Not An Excusehttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/slide1-132022-12-02T05:32:32.000Z2022-12-02T05:32:32.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10897854880?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>I made this poster (pic of Eric Metaxas and his words) to honor the great man and theologian the late (anti-fascist fighter) Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Germany.</p>
<p>To be clear, Metaxas is an anti-woke activist and generally, like a Jordan B. Peterson, is out to diminish and erase critical theories (of the Left)... that said, I think the issue of "fear" in these debates and culture wars going on in the US and other places is striking. Each side of the Left and Right divide slings "fear" weapons at each other accusing the other of fearmongering--while failing to look at itself. I am not surprised that activist-educator Angela Davis recently has called the assaults on woke culture as indicative of another round, she called "the new McCarthyism" and, of course, the opponents to Davis would say likely the same thing about woke and critical consciousness folks. There's a lot of mud slinging going on--not that useful.</p>
<p> Btw. for a really good dialogue of Metaxas (philosopher) with David Berlinksy (philosopher)--go to a 2022 conversation: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qFRdmxvbB8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qFRdmxvbB8</a></p></div>Our Fear-based Way With Naturehttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/screen-shot-2022-11-27-at-6-12-43-pm2022-11-28T02:20:03.000Z2022-11-28T02:20:03.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10893156093?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=298"></div><div><p>This kind of excessive language re: using "violence" and hyperbole is all part of the way to dissociate that we are part of Nature, and always have been. There is no Nature out there trying to be violent toward us. This out-dated consciousness keeps us in fear of Nature (of everything)--as if always waiting for the next thing to advertise ahead of time which triggers unnecessary fear and is itself near-psychotic traumatic reactivity of the kind seen in "post-traumatic stress disorder" illness. The Culture of Fear, has been dramatizing this kind of lanugage and making it part of culture and conditioning for all for too long. Let's ignore and delete this from our language and be aware but not setting up panic at every moment possible, like with strong weather events. It is not about ignoring warnings but we don't need to exaggerate them either to get attention. Remember "fear" gets attention and sells and pre-conditions people, making them susceptible to the worst side of our behavior reactions, like playing victim, stupid, and following authority unquestionably. </p>
<p>Life-attitude, as a measure of what orientation one has towards life and its exigencies, is one worth reflecting on. Here is what Overstreet (1951/71) wrote, </p>
<p>"Some people, in brief, are cordial toward life right up to the end. Others are hostile toward it. The difference between the two types is likely to show up with exaggerated clarity under the impact of old age." (p. 83) </p>
<p>So, if you are noticing yourself, like the people who post weather warnings with terms like "violence" and "monster" to describe nature, you know you are getting old in a grumpy way. I get it, the future is looking bleak on many fronts, with crises of all kinds underway, yet, like with dying that comes regardless, as we age or have bad luck, we can set an attitude of still a gratitude for everything in Nature, or we can grow a negative attitude of resentment, threat, victim, and fear. </p>
<p>I'm quite sure, most people who obsess on strong weather events, the unpleasant, in life and in Nature, are those who have not found a healthy re-orientation, that is, a way to be in/with Nature in all her ways, not just our favorite ones while trying to exclude the rest. This is the same existential problem of wanting to have life with death/dying. Ernest Becker, the great existentialist thinker wrote, </p>
<p>"What man [sic] really fears is not extinction, but extinction with insignificance...". </p>
<p>As we mature and continue to find significance to our lives, then and only then, will we stop seeing Nature (e.g., a stormy weather event) as so frightful and violent. There is a whole other way to live with the tragedy and reality of life, and the existential intelligence we need to mature is there waiting for us to do our homework, especially for those in a society like today that is so cut-off from Nature in general. </p></div>Fearist Denominatorhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/fearist-denominator2022-11-14T21:10:06.000Z2022-11-14T21:10:06.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10882358268?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div></div>J. Krishnamurti on Fearlessnesshttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/jk-on-fearlessness2022-11-03T14:14:51.000Z2022-11-03T14:14:51.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10861917300?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>I am searching always for "fearist" philosophers of education, informing my own emergent critical and integral philosophy and approach to education. As a fearist myself (along with others, like Desh Subba, Samuel N. Gillian), we recognize certain features of thought, and priorities of values--and, they will inevitable circulate around the kinds of statements and arguments made by a philosopher (or just a critical thinker). So you can see in this Krishnamurti quote, exactly why I have been attracted to his work for over 40 years, and more recently, as I am studying word for word his writing in his 1953/81 book "Education and the Significance of Life." He continually references fear on near every page often repeatedly and then by p. 46 he hits the 'jackpot' for me as he starts to mention "fearlessness" --and I say, of course, he had to talk about that too! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>[note: if you want more information in summary on "fearist" thinkers and philosophy of fearism go to my 2022 book <em>Philosophy of Fearism: A Primer </em>. </p></div>Samuel Gillian's (Moral) Educational Philosophy of Fearhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/gillian2022-10-20T16:10:46.000Z2022-10-20T16:10:46.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10846247284?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>This is what one fearist (existentialist) thinker, argues is the case... </p>
<p>You really may find it hard to swallow, and wonder if he is saying this is the way it is... or this is the way it should be? Fact is, I've read his work, and he's saying it should be... </p>
<p>Now, the problem to work though is how is "fear" defined. Gillian is very careful to re-define fear, life, and education (i.e., experience, awareness)--and, he is really talking about this "attempt to scare" in this quote can be either "good" or "bad" (pathological, too-negative use of fear)... </p>
<p>Clearly this is all part of his moral philosophy, applied to education, and it circulates totally around "fear" (being afraid). A very interesting notion.</p></div>Deepest Fear (?): Ernest Becker's Theoryhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/screen-shot-2022-10-18-at-11-04-38-pm2022-10-19T06:07:33.000Z2022-10-19T06:07:33.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10845010881?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Terror Management Theory (TMT) more or less is built on Ernest Becker's cultural psychological theory, and he was very clear about "fear" and human beings, in this quote. </p></div>The Fear, The Futurehttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/slide1-112022-09-29T14:13:33.000Z2022-09-29T14:13:33.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10830713860?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>This is a clipped picture and poster I created. This is <strong>McGilchrist's</strong> opening sentence in the interview on the Rebel Wisdom podcast. He is a psychiatrist, author, and theorist of the left and right brain hemispheres and cultural change in general.</p>
<p>[sorry for spelling his name wrong on the poster]</p></div>Fearlessness Interventionhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/fearlessn-poten2022-09-28T16:07:48.000Z2022-09-28T16:07:48.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10829767875?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>This is one simple summary of how I analyze what is going on in society and the culture wars and what is a good model for emancipatory (liberation) potential (innoculation)--for, the working through of the shadow of humanity--and, it does not matter Left-wing or Right-wing... such a model is valuable to their operating in the best way for the correction needed, but also growth in a progressive (rather than regressive) manner--which ultimately, is what everyone "politically" or other wise wants. We all want "Freedom"--but my meta-motivational models also show that Freedom is the third component (like "Fearlessness")-- to which the foundational components (ecologies) underneath are Love, then Fear. The latter is my quadrinity model of meta-motivation, you can read in other places. </p>
<p>This slide is merely giving the territories of which I suggest are absolutely essential to understand and their relationships--and the "Fearlessness Paradigm" is located in the dynamic of the 'Fear' Project(ion)--as crucial to the corrective needed today (metaphysically and otherwise). </p>
<p>Addendum: I would add next where to map "FASCISM" and "TOTALITARIANISM" (Totalism)...and, the former would be in the area of the curving arrow of movement closest to Phobos, and the latter to Thanatos. </p>
<p> </p></div>Biden's Warning re: Democracy and Fearhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/biden-democracy2022-09-03T06:18:46.000Z2022-09-03T06:18:46.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10802395065?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>In the context of upcoming elections (2022 bi-elections) and a Presidential election in 2024-- "Fear" gets front and center in this somewhat <span style="text-decoration:underline;">nonpartisan</span> political speech... at a time of great crisis in America today because of the danger of losing "democracy" and the "soul of America." Biden is all out giving one of his better speeches. </p>
<p>He clearly distinguishes the extremists (white supremacists, Trumpian MAGA) from mainstream Republicans. The extremists, left or right, however, he assigns as people generally with an agenda of "political violence" attempting to destroy the process of "democracy" and these he claims are people who have become cynical and pessimistic, have lost hope and rather seed division in the nation--polarization. This Biden is fighting against. His extremist opponents (and I would say not just extremists nor his opponents) are in his words "they spread fear and lies." </p>
<p>He is saying, implicitly, in classic binary language, the culture of fear breeders are over there, and all us good folks are over here. It's nice political language but it is so non-true. I've studied the culture of fear for decades and the left and right and all inbetween are all very good at spreading the culture of fear (and, each carries their own kind of spread of violence in that name sake--whether they admit it or not). This makes it very hard for the intelligent citizen of a nation to sort through what direction of support do they want to give, where they want to vote, what to believe and where to find their allies (?). This is challenging times. </p>
<p>My point, is that I offer new (and ancient) wise teachings on fear and fearlessness--I offer "fear inquiry" and there's so much we have to learn about fear itself and our relationship to it if we are going to be able to wisely negotiate this climate and culture of fear that's ramping up once again in the new election cycle--but also ramping up because of the Anthropocene era of mass extinction, pandemics, collapsing systems and global warming crises... the scale of this is going to exacerbate the Fear Problematique to a level beyond what most humans can manage--that is, if we are not upgrading their fear education at the same time. SO, that is my priority! The Fearlessness Movement ning is one place to get that education, so is my new book "The Philosophy of Fearism: A Primer" (2022) and my youtube videos, etc. </p>
<p> </p></div>LEWIS: Politics of FEARhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/lewis-2-fear2022-08-31T03:09:26.000Z2022-08-31T03:09:26.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10796978463?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>A CONSERVATIVE new politician running for the leadership of the Canadian Gov't in the next election, Dr. Leslyn Lewis, deserves an ear, even if you don't agree with her positions. </p>
<p>What she said in this interview with Jordan B. Peterson, another conservative, on "fear" is particularly important of a declaration (for any political leader)--I appreciate that! </p>
<p>Now, as to solutions to the Fear Problem in politics and society as a whole and the "crisis of trust" (as Jordan B. Peterson mentions)... these people have a lot to learn yet. </p></div>soul asks questionshttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/soul-asks-question2022-08-19T18:52:01.000Z2022-08-19T18:52:01.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10778562880?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div></div>Kierkegaard on Anxietyhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/slide1-92022-07-31T02:33:22.000Z2022-07-31T02:33:22.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10736009298?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>19th century theologian-philosopher S. Kierkegaard, a founding thinker of W. existentialism ...</p></div>Joy Berry's Folk Advice on Fearhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/scan-1-12022-07-20T13:45:10.000Z2022-07-20T13:45:10.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10658888093?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Joy Berry has been one of the foremost self-help children's writers for decades. This illustration is from one of her books "Let's Talk About Feeling Afraid." And, althought I appreciate Berry's motivation to create curriculum for parents/teachers and children, I am always taken aback had how they "folk advice" (so-called wisdom) about such feartalk is layed down in these books and I wonder what it actually teaches children as a template for their healthy fearuality (?)...</p>
<p>Fearologists (and fear educators from the critical school of fearism) have to question and critique all these sources of feartalks and offer alternatives and correctives. </p></div>Megyn Kelly Interview with Gavin DeBeckerhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/slide1-72022-07-01T18:04:05.000Z2022-07-01T18:04:05.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10614618056?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>A recent interview with Gavin DeBecker, an internationally acclaimed security expert and author of the best-selling <em>The Gift of Fear</em> back in 1997, tells me a lot of things. </p>
<p>First, that DeBecker is teaching the same things about fear, since 1997. </p>
<p>Second, his work is as successful and mainstream as ever. </p>
<p>Third, both he and Megyn have a great conversation, she worships him. </p>
<p>Fourth, we need a better "fear education" in our society. They beat around the bush on that topic and yet never just say it. Too bad. They are two powerful important voices. </p>
<p>DeBecker knows my work from the late 1990s when I first made contact with him. There's so much advance in Fear Studies, and I just didn't hear any of that in their 1 hr 38 min. interview. Too bad. </p>
<p>I think the trouble with "safety and security" talk --and focus, which is so practical for people, is that they just don't get around to very much depth of talk about fear--in a much larger perspective, than keeping safe. Too bad. </p></div>Titus Unlimited on Fearhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/slide1-52022-06-18T16:24:33.000Z2022-06-18T16:24:33.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10579778478?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=388"></div><div><p>Every teacher on "fear" has their own twist. Just compare this African-American teacher (life-coach) compared to Samuel Gillian's approach on fear management and philosophy. So, different but a few similarities. How do we reconcile these and make discernments, as we design a pedagogy and curriculum for the future? For youth, for children? ... re: a good quality Fear Education. That's what my work is all about. </p></div>Marianne Williamson: No Need for Fearlessnesshttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/photos/screen-shot-2022-06-04-at-8-21-10-pm2022-06-06T16:59:20.000Z2022-06-06T16:59:20.000ZR.Michael Fisherhttps://FearlessnessMovement.ning.com/members/RMichaelFisher<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10543865700?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>I highly recommend <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZvT5rJstGE" target="_blank">listening/watching</a> Marianne talking about politics today and the USA election of 2024 for a new president.</p>
<p>Marianne Williamson runs a very courageous life style, "fear" is not necessarily her enemy but it is surely not her highest power. "Love" is... "courage" is... she would say. And, I just came across another blog, citing Williamson, that tells of the discourse that is going on out there in culture that is still anti-fearlessness and convinced they are right! </p>
<p>The blog author (not MW) confidently lays out their first argument in their goal to help people be more courageous: </p>
<p>This post is not about how to take monumentally brave actions, like Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani education activist who was shot for her efforts, or like a firefighter rushing into a burning building. It is instead about understanding what courage really is and training ourselves to perform small, daily acts of bravery.</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Courage means being afraid and acting anyway,</strong> not that you’d know this from looking around at our culture, which celebrates fearlessness. (There are over 50 books titled <em>Fearless</em> on Amazon as of this writing.) If you tend to be fearful, you probably assume that you’re not courageous. Courage researchers Cynthia Pury and Charles Starkey reviewed the citations for valor of 74 recipients of the Carnegie Medal for heroic actions and found not a single mention of the words <em>fear</em>, <em>afraid</em>, or <em>worried</em>. This isn’t surprising; the psychologist Avril Thorne found that listeners embrace traumatic stories emphasizing bravery or compassion, but not ones focusing on fear or sadness. Yet, we all know that fear is a universally powerful emotion, and we all know how terrible terror feels. Thus, we should grasp that feeling afraid and acting anyway is a form of nobility. [excerpt from Cain 2021, <a href="https://huckfinnsmoneytree.com/how-to-be-courageous/">https://huckfinnsmoneytree.com/how-to-be-courageous/</a> ]</li>
</ol>
<p> </p></div>