When it comes to risk, things aren't always as bad as they seem
The world sure looks scary. The television bombards you with so many images of European economic chaos, disaster and mishap that you hardly even want to come out of your cave.
But things may not be that bad, says former journalist David Ropeik in his recent book How Risky is it, Really?
The way we perceive danger is driven far more by rapid, emotional responses than by any reasoned calculation of actual risk, he maintains, pointing to the brain’s risk assessment system and how it can result in gaps between perception and fact.
Basically, we're wired to act now, think later. Our subconscious mind and instincts shape our basic attitudes and decisions long before you have all the facts at hand, forming a “perception gap” between facts and fear.
When our fears don't match the facts, we make choices that actually create additional risks, says Ropeik. We figure we're safer when we have control, yet driving a car is close to 60 times more dangerous than being flown in a plane.
Another factor that can turn our fears up or down is the relationship between benefit versus risk. The greater the reward, the less we worry about the associated risk. The smaller the payoff, the larger looms the danger.
Although we like to see ourselves as balanced, our brains are wired to think that either we're safe or we're in danger. Going around calculating odds all the time just isn't something we're built to do.
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Clear & Focused | Dec 20, 2021 12:07:14 PM
HAHAHA.
So, where is that evidence that things aren't as bad as they seem?... Or are you just advertising a book?
Quote: "Another factor that can turn our fears up or down is the relationship between benefit versus risk. The greater the reward, the less we worry about the associated risk."
HAHAHA
You can say that again! You speak of risk, but the reason things are as bad as they are, is that "risk" is no longer a factor in our supposed "free-market" financial system... at least not for the plutocrats who control it.
In fact, they socialize ALL risk (ie: their losses and bad bets) onto the public through bailouts, and then they capitalize all the gains - or just plain steal it (like recently with MF Global). It is pure fraud. So what fucking risk are you talking about?
Do you mean the risk we all take being governed by these sociopaths? That is real, idiot!
Quote: "When our fears don't match the facts..."
HAHAHAHA
What a joke! Facts are a rarity these days... along with free-enterprise "risk".
Reality is coming!
Posted by: Elmo | Dec 22, 2021 9:29:21 PM
HAHAHAHA... Dazed and Foct-Up taking out his anti-government, anti-Canada, anti-everything frustrations on another EM blog. Speaking of sociopaths !! Have ya checked out the color of your pot recently ? Maybe you should save your beer bottles, buy Ropeik's book and attempt to figure things out.