SOLANGDO: Being the founder of Fearism and the fearist philosopher would you kindly focus on the Philosophy of Fearism?
DESH SUBBA: Fearism is a contemporary philosophy. It looks at life and the world from a Fearism lens. Life is conducted, directed and controlled by fear and Fear Precedes Essence is its basic argument.
SOLANGDO: According to you, what is the role of fear in shaping ideas and theories and its impact on social structures?
DESH SUBBA: When I studied historical (stone weapon) biological (Amygdala part of the brain) and linguistic (development of signal in danger) points of view, I learned that society is structured by fear. In this context comes politics, law, court, police, army, hospital, school, insurance, and fire brigade, etc. For examination, we remove fear and see; that all mechanisms don't work. Therefore, we can understand the structure of society is fear. Regarding ideas and theories, some ideas and theories are based on fear. Power theories, some inventions (medical theories), and missiles are based on it.
SOLANGDO: Would you kindly state the essence of Fearmorphosis?
DESH SUBBA: Before coin Fearmorphosis, I analyzed metamorphosis and broke it into two parts: meta and morphosis. The meaning of metamorphosis is transformation. I asked myself what is the reason for it? If living (animals) and non living things (language, culture, religion, literature, fashion) do not metamorphose according to time and place, they will become extinct or die. The cause of change is fear (die, extinction, collapse etc). Then I concluded that Metamorphosis is not an appropriate word for it. The best word for it is Fear+ morphosis= Fearmorphosis. It carries the meaning better than metamorphosis.
SOLANGDO: How and when does the theory or Philosophy of Fearism come to your mind?
DESH SUBBA: 'Bhayabad' was a word I had written in my manuscript of the novel. Which I did not publish. Philosophy of Fearism is an English translation of Bhayabad. I distributed the manuscript to some of my friends for feedback. When Sharan Subba returned to me, he underlined this word with red ink. Whether he knew its importance or not, it enlightened me. I thought it could be something new. Afterward, I focused my attention on its establishment.
SOLANGDO: What are the universities you have been invited to lecture on Fearism?
DESH SUBBA: Philosophy of Fearism was published in 2014. Then, I began to promote it. During its promotion, I have lectured at Hongkong University, JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru Universicity), Guwahati University, Manipur University, Dhaka University, Moscow University, and Paris University, several colleges and educational institutes and literary events. Mariam girls' College of Hojai, secondary school in New York (Manhattan, New York, USA), philosophy club in Connecticut (USA). One of the recordable programs was organized by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council at Diphu, Assam. These are the major universities where I have delivered my speech.
SOLANGDO: How many books have been authored by you so far and what are they?
DESH SUBBA: My sole writing books are Philosophy of Fearism (2014), The Tribeman's Journey to Fearless (2015), Trans Philosophism (2021), and Fearmorphosis (2023). Some books I co-authored with R.Michael Fisher (Canada), B Maria Kumar (India), Osinakachi Akuma Kalu (Nigeria), and Dr. Bhawani Shankar Adhikari (Nepal). Rana Kafle from Assam, India has written many literary books in Assamese, Hindi, and Nepali based on Fearism. His latest novel 'Raithane' won a US$ 2100 award (International Nepali Literary Society Award) from the USA. He is the one who spread this innovative idea in North East India. In Fearism travel, he visited Manipur, Meghalaya and many parts of Assam. One of his remarkable works is Basibiyalo (face to face) 2 year removable program. He did door to door programs of Fearism in several places. It was very popular and his team had been invited to schools and communities. His team was honored by society, institutions, and communities.
Thank you for taking my interview. I hope general knowledge of Fearism can be obtained from it.
He has posted it in Solangdo Fan page and his Facebook post. Solangdo is an Assmese Daily Newspaper, It is published from Diphu, Karbi Anglong, Assam, India.
Comments
Congrats Desh Subba on your award. I see Rana Kafle's novel Raithane" is doing well. and best of luck.
Also, I thought your definition of "fearmorphosis" (the change-fear-shaping) conceptualization is particularly illuminating and well defined in this interview.
Note to readers: Subba's trilogy of philosophical books on "fearism" make a great foundational study: Their titles are in evolutionary order of their publication:
"Philosophy of Fearism" (2014), "Transphilosophism" (2021), "Fearmorphosis" (2023).