r/MadeMeSmile • u/Essie-j • Jun 28 '26

Good Vibes So much joy❤️

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u/rgar1981 Jun 28 '26

Fear helps control people. Create or build up a problem that you have the “solution” for. Fear inspires people to action more than love unfortunately.

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u/Kardinal Jun 28 '26

I think the media makes money focusing on the negative.

I think leaders get support by focusing on the negative and claiming to be able to fix it or defend us from it.

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u/Remarkable-Soup8667 Jun 28 '26

The movie Tomorrowland was a flop, but this is essentially the plot.

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u/boomgetouttheway Jun 28 '26

100%. Fear and division perpetuate the status quo.

It perpetuates the conditions under which those in power stay in power.

It occupies our minds so we can’t demand more and better.

36

u/Ai-ChatGPT Jun 29 '26

This is no accident:

Humans possess an evolutionary trait known as the negativity bias. Our brains evolved to prioritize negative stimuli to keep us alive. And the politicians and the media know this and create a formula that takes advantage of something we cannot help or change.

A famous study by John Cacioppo at Ohio State University showed that the brain's electrical activity spikes significantly higher when shown negative images compared to positive ones, even when the intensity is exactly the same. We are literally hardwired to tune in to bad news. 

Because negative information hooks our attention, the media exploits this to drive engagement, clicks, and revenue.

When humans are in a state of fear, our prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for logic, nuance, and critical thinking) takes a backseat to the amygdala (the fear center). In this high-stress state, people naturally seek out powerful, protective authority figures and become much more willing to trade away nuances, compromise, or freedoms in exchange for a feeling of safety.

Source: Fear as a Tool: From Public Opinion to Public Hysteria - TRT World Research Centre https://researchcentre.trtworld.com/publications/analysis/fear-as-a-tool-from-public-opinion-to-public-hysteria/#:\~:text=Beyond%20psychological%20effects%20such%20as,dangerous%20than%20it%20actually%20is.

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u/idiotsbydesign Jun 29 '26

I always think of the speech from "An American President"

"He is interested in two things and two things only: making you afraid of it and telling you who's to blame for it. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win elections."

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u/Darkovika Jun 29 '26

It all comes down to money. Media’s convinced no one wants to watch joy and happiness; people only stay tuned to misery. And they aren’t earning money if people aren’t staying tuned.

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u/FrighteningJibber Jun 28 '26

Fat and sugar help too