What are the fears society is facing today?

economics, self-sustainment, terrorism, idealism, future, racisim (equality in general), jobs, quality of life, opportunity, relevance… you name it… as to whether we’re “facing” those fears, I’m not so sure about that.

The economic crisis, terrorism, health care, environmental concerns…....just to name a few.

Welcome to Fluther, @sudhir!

Whether they will have enough money . . .
to retire
to pay their mortgage
to pay for health insurance
to get by.

terrorism, and for no good reason.

Anarchy. The basic breaking down of society.
It’s actually a valid fear these days, with the seperation of red and blue states, the division of religious and atheist groups, and the gap between the haves and have nots.

Many things—just turn on the TV or open your browser—but one thing that is as dangerous as any of them is, to paraphrase FDR, the fear of fear. That foments irrational decision-making and over-reaction.

Austinlad, I fear this is true.

It’s ironic that the things people are most afraid of lately aren’t the real problems.

@Austinlad Exactly. The biggest danger is from leadership that over-reacts and then bases its action on opinion polls and short-term (reelection) considerations. For example, this health-care reform bill is being rammed through Congress without regard to quality, only to get something passed and signed before the November elections. The administration only cares about the possiblity of not having 60 Senate votes next year.

“We have nothing to fear, except fear itself”.. I agree with @laureth, and i think fear is being used as a tool of control and to drive through initiatives that are less than optimal for promoting liberty, equality, compassion, tolerance, freedom, peace and general well being.

In other words, fear is making us move in the wrong direction, ironically, that’s what i’m most afraid of.

@Marina: I agree with this. As a teen in school I was told in econ. my generation would see the greatest number of seniors ever in history because of longer life expectancy and also greater population. I see it now and see the fallout of lifestyles like my parents chose, I worry if my generation will fare any better and absolutely cringe when looking at the younger ones who look more like plumped livestock than humans. How are they going to survive to keep the economy going while us leathery old toughs live on into our 90’s? I’m afraid. I’m enjoying the tail of my youth now and making the most I can of my energy and health because the future is going to be tough.

The resurgence of 80s fashions.

@kevbo More than another outbreak of people listening to Bee Gees music?

lolz!

The singularity: when machines become self-aware and enslave all the humans.

@HungryGuy Now that you mention it, the waffle iron has been looking at me kind of weird lately.

@filmfann – Yours too?!

I’m afraid this question is simplistic and will elicit fairly predictable answers.

Nobody fears the revenous bugblatter beast of Traal?!?! I guess all you froods know where your towels are, eh?

NO ONE has said environmental/ecological destruction?
Well then that’s clearly the biggest problem.

Lack of individuality?

@filmfann (?) – “Lack of individuality”?? Only when we ”...predend that we’re dead…”

<—- refuses to explain the joke.

<—Same here. But a clue lies in a question I asked recently :-p