Beware of the Bear

In an effort to lighten the mood a bit i would like to share a story from Ken Kesey.  While in Yellowstone National Park, he noticed a sign which read "Beware of the bear."  Mr. Kesey thought for a minute and realized that there was a time when that sign meant "be aware of the bear", however, over time it has come to mean "be afraid of the bear."  The same could be said about our current culture of fear.  Terrorism, violence, and disease are all topics which we should be aware of, but the buying of iodine tablets to prevent radiations sickness by Californians after the nuclear meltdown in Japan, the purchasing of underground bunkers in the event of some catastrophic event, and emergency home rations take these issues too far.  We need to address these issues in a rational, logical fashion instead of panicking.  The media will not do this, it is not in their best interest.   Their profits increase as more people tune in due to fear. According to Allison Ellwood Kesey was responding to the tension of the times (1964).  With Kennedy assassinated and the cold war at its peak, "Ken was saying, 'Get out of the bunkers. Get out. Explore new things.'"

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904888304576474092336084166.html