Korku Kültürü

As the standard of living increases in Western societies, people feel more at risk. It has reached such a point that the most ordinary elements of emotional/social life and technological development, from falling in love to shaking hands, from taking an elevator to flying, are now seen as important risk factors. Perhaps people became individualized with the "unipolar" neoliberal wave that rose after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the changes in China and the disintegration of unions, families and various communities; However, in the absence of new forms of solidarity, this individualization made the person more helpless rather than liberating him. The individual left on his own is crushed under the feeling of insecurity, instead of gathering the courage to develop a critical thought. Increasingly, co-workers, neighbors, and even other members of the family are seen as potential enemies. Distrust of the functioning of society becomes prevalent at all levels.
As a result of these developments, security became the core value of the 1990s and a large industry aimed at keeping people away from life's risks developed; Shelves of books have been written on risk management and risk analysis. Especially after the events of September 11, Western people began to believe that the interventions made to change society and nature had caused irreparable wounds and that the day of judgment was approaching.
Many people in our country see themselves under the threat of environmental and technological disasters. As a society, we are ready to be caught up in fears such as mad cow panic, purse snatcher panic, and harasser panic. We have come from the days of "if you don't eat well, you will get tuberculosis" to the point of "red meat is poison". If mothers take their children to school and do not wait until they return, they are accused of neglecting their maternal duties; because now school buses are also a source of danger. Both their families and school administrations advise university students not to participate in any social activities.
The book in your hand reminds us that taking risks is an extremely constructive and productive process; and at the basis of all human progress. That there are conscious interventions into nature and society. Furedi proposes new structures and a different world created by people who have the courage to take risks and become subjects, instead of disintegrating communities where fear breeds fear.



Number of Pages: 243

Year of Printing: 2014


Language: Turkish
Publisher: Details Publications

First Printing Year: 2002

Number of Pages: 272

Language Turkish