I think you're on to something very powerful here. Over the same time period that we've "delegated our survival" as you put it, we're seen a massive growth in professional and expert occupations charged with, ostensibly, managing threats to our survival. Even the professionalization of most western militaries might fall into this category; yet, as much as we have seen measurable increases in expertise and generated many important technological and security advances, it feels like our relationship with fear, as you so artfully spell out, has grown much worse.
Thai is a great take, Dan. One of the upsides of the essay format is being able to hit many different topics, while a downside is having to stay focused on one or two examples. A mile wide and an inch deep. I wish I could explore all the outlets, especially the military aspect you points out. But it something I’m going to think on for awhile. I appreciate it!
Excellent as always, Sam. Another thought kept creeping in as I read: the role of "worry" in today's world. In my observation, the worry is really "fear," but the word "worry" may be more acceptable to say out loud- "I'm afraid" vs. "I'm worried".
The other component is geographical - how fear presents in different parts of the US, as well as around the globe. Some parts of the US have created a stronger culture of fear, just like I believe much of the Western World has. Those countries that witness suffering every day in the form of war, starvation, and poverty, scoff at 1st world problems (and occasional tragedy). In this sense, they are a throwback to the times of Yellow Wolf.
There is a lot here, Jesse, so many good thoughts to dissect. I'm working on a few pieces that touch on your observation those in the 3rd world have towards those in the 1st. I'm struck that those in the 3rd world laugh at 1st world problems and want the 1st world mode of life, while those in the 1st world pity the 3rd world and yet admire their contentment with so much less. There are deeper truths here that I cannot wait to dive into. I appreciate the thoughts.
Thank you for this essay! It’s well known that we are simultaneously the most scared and the safest generation in human history.
Your essay completed a connection in my mind of this being a manifestation of the state (government, corporations, institutions) consolidating their control over us humans.
You are most welcome, John, I'm stoked you enjoyed it. I've been on a reading splurge about the state and have a few more essays evolving on the subject because it hits at the core idea I'm working on. I'm looking forward to hearing your feedback on those and if they align with your intuition.
Sam, you are a member of a unique community, and just to get to be a member, you underwent a grueling metamorphosis which few can endure, let alone thrive in to graduation. So when you walk into an airport and see the laughable TSA crews standing before you it is hard not to laugh, then get ultra PO’d and then a mind like yours goes to a lot of places. Once indoctrinated, once on active duty and then even in “retired response” we look at the land differently. Ah ha! two fingers and a draw, the bad guys must have the high ground, right? But what if they have the high ground and what if they have decided on a reverse slope defense?! Okay now my palms are getting sweaty, or they have ambushes and booby traps to canalize my rifle platoon or rifle company into a kill zone? Okay now I am nauseous! So we take that mind set to Logan Airport…blessing and a curse isn’t it! I mean you have to be cheery! It is not like “The Quigley” at USMC OCS or the mud swamp of Hell Week. We were tortured by professionals! We are the CEO’s of our own safety, we must take that responsibility on ourselves. No one is coming for us. Therein, devotion to vigilance and a bit of channeling Yellow Wolf in our every day lives keeps us sharp, makes us anxious and hungry. “Every minute I stay in this room. I get weaker. And Charlie squats in the bush, he gets stronger. each time i looked around the walls moved in a little tighter.” Captain Willard (aka Martin Sheen) quote from Apocalypse Now. He resolved his dilemma by taking the mission on.
Thank you for this excellent riff Charles, and thank you as well for the Captain Willard quote—one of my favorite movies of all time. Let's own the danger and the vigilance. It would be too boring otherwise.
As soon as you own the danger, the easier the vigilance becomes. I am sure as you got ready to head “out of the wire” (old timers expression!) your senses became heightened, the preparation, the plan, the patrol or combat order now down and dusted. “Ok let’s go.” Anyway, indeed own or embrace it! Hey, it’s what we do!
Great writing, Sam! 👏 Your description of the limbo of pre-fear makes me think of the term "angst" used by the existentialists. It's usually translated from the German as "anxiety", but I understand it as a kind of huge amorphous fear with no clear focus (except our own mortality) or means of mastery. It is paralyzing and soul-sucking and prompts a freeze response since fight and flight are unavailable. As you say, delegating our safety too much leaves us vulnerable and helpless. Too bad our "modern" education system doesn't incorporate some of your good prescriptions at the end of your essay. There would be less depression and phone addiction among our youth for sure.
100% agreed. It was a thought experiment I enjoyed playing with. I can see the tie to angst and now that you've brought this up, I want to do some more reading on it because that itself could hit what I'm working on from another angle. Thank you for the insight!
I read some writing by Ludwig Binswanger in grad school. Didn't know quite what to do with that at the time (kind of drinking from the firehose!), but I knew it was important and filed it away for later unpacking. Here's a taste:
His psychotherapy angle is interesting. I have read much of Irvin D Yaloms work, and he wrote a text book on Existential Psychotherapy. I need to dig into Binswanger. I appreciate this.
We have people today who have never really reached inside themselves. They allow themselves to be herded into school, into jobs, into political parties. Their opinion is whatever has been indoctrinated into them at school. Their life's ambition is to conform.
It seems to be what mass populations under massive governments turn into. But to your point, there always exists the element of choice—to self rule or conform. Great comment, thank you.
What came to mind with your post is: "Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself": FDR's First Inaugural Address. It felt like the worst of the purgatory.
I think you're on to something very powerful here. Over the same time period that we've "delegated our survival" as you put it, we're seen a massive growth in professional and expert occupations charged with, ostensibly, managing threats to our survival. Even the professionalization of most western militaries might fall into this category; yet, as much as we have seen measurable increases in expertise and generated many important technological and security advances, it feels like our relationship with fear, as you so artfully spell out, has grown much worse.
Thai is a great take, Dan. One of the upsides of the essay format is being able to hit many different topics, while a downside is having to stay focused on one or two examples. A mile wide and an inch deep. I wish I could explore all the outlets, especially the military aspect you points out. But it something I’m going to think on for awhile. I appreciate it!
First time hearing of Yellow Wolf — I’ll have to read up on him.
It’s vital for a man to be dangerous and capable of surviving without ease.
I fear the modern man is losing his ability to fight the good fight because we’ve grown too reliant on the state to provide safety.
But are we truly safe or are we just being lulled to sleep while our life slips us by?
I choose danger, risk, and the unknown - bring it on.
Well said, Mac. It all comes down to individual choice—drift or ownership.
A profoundly satisfying and important read. Thank you, Sam!
I’m stoked you enjoyed it @LizziePD!
Thank YOU!
Stellar piece man!
Thank you Enda!
Excellent as always, Sam. Another thought kept creeping in as I read: the role of "worry" in today's world. In my observation, the worry is really "fear," but the word "worry" may be more acceptable to say out loud- "I'm afraid" vs. "I'm worried".
The other component is geographical - how fear presents in different parts of the US, as well as around the globe. Some parts of the US have created a stronger culture of fear, just like I believe much of the Western World has. Those countries that witness suffering every day in the form of war, starvation, and poverty, scoff at 1st world problems (and occasional tragedy). In this sense, they are a throwback to the times of Yellow Wolf.
There is a lot here, Jesse, so many good thoughts to dissect. I'm working on a few pieces that touch on your observation those in the 3rd world have towards those in the 1st. I'm struck that those in the 3rd world laugh at 1st world problems and want the 1st world mode of life, while those in the 1st world pity the 3rd world and yet admire their contentment with so much less. There are deeper truths here that I cannot wait to dive into. I appreciate the thoughts.
Thank you for this essay! It’s well known that we are simultaneously the most scared and the safest generation in human history.
Your essay completed a connection in my mind of this being a manifestation of the state (government, corporations, institutions) consolidating their control over us humans.
Brilliant!
You are most welcome, John, I'm stoked you enjoyed it. I've been on a reading splurge about the state and have a few more essays evolving on the subject because it hits at the core idea I'm working on. I'm looking forward to hearing your feedback on those and if they align with your intuition.
Sam, you are a member of a unique community, and just to get to be a member, you underwent a grueling metamorphosis which few can endure, let alone thrive in to graduation. So when you walk into an airport and see the laughable TSA crews standing before you it is hard not to laugh, then get ultra PO’d and then a mind like yours goes to a lot of places. Once indoctrinated, once on active duty and then even in “retired response” we look at the land differently. Ah ha! two fingers and a draw, the bad guys must have the high ground, right? But what if they have the high ground and what if they have decided on a reverse slope defense?! Okay now my palms are getting sweaty, or they have ambushes and booby traps to canalize my rifle platoon or rifle company into a kill zone? Okay now I am nauseous! So we take that mind set to Logan Airport…blessing and a curse isn’t it! I mean you have to be cheery! It is not like “The Quigley” at USMC OCS or the mud swamp of Hell Week. We were tortured by professionals! We are the CEO’s of our own safety, we must take that responsibility on ourselves. No one is coming for us. Therein, devotion to vigilance and a bit of channeling Yellow Wolf in our every day lives keeps us sharp, makes us anxious and hungry. “Every minute I stay in this room. I get weaker. And Charlie squats in the bush, he gets stronger. each time i looked around the walls moved in a little tighter.” Captain Willard (aka Martin Sheen) quote from Apocalypse Now. He resolved his dilemma by taking the mission on.
Great post! Again!
Thank you for this excellent riff Charles, and thank you as well for the Captain Willard quote—one of my favorite movies of all time. Let's own the danger and the vigilance. It would be too boring otherwise.
As soon as you own the danger, the easier the vigilance becomes. I am sure as you got ready to head “out of the wire” (old timers expression!) your senses became heightened, the preparation, the plan, the patrol or combat order now down and dusted. “Ok let’s go.” Anyway, indeed own or embrace it! Hey, it’s what we do!
My daughter just finished learning about Nez Perce in homeschool. Think I just found one more reading for her and my wife to finish up the lesson 👊🏻.
Fantastic convergence of wisdom to optimize the present for those willing to actively seek it.
Rock on, Kyle, thank you. His story was a great read, a window to an entirely different mode of life.
Great writing, Sam! 👏 Your description of the limbo of pre-fear makes me think of the term "angst" used by the existentialists. It's usually translated from the German as "anxiety", but I understand it as a kind of huge amorphous fear with no clear focus (except our own mortality) or means of mastery. It is paralyzing and soul-sucking and prompts a freeze response since fight and flight are unavailable. As you say, delegating our safety too much leaves us vulnerable and helpless. Too bad our "modern" education system doesn't incorporate some of your good prescriptions at the end of your essay. There would be less depression and phone addiction among our youth for sure.
100% agreed. It was a thought experiment I enjoyed playing with. I can see the tie to angst and now that you've brought this up, I want to do some more reading on it because that itself could hit what I'm working on from another angle. Thank you for the insight!
I read some writing by Ludwig Binswanger in grad school. Didn't know quite what to do with that at the time (kind of drinking from the firehose!), but I knew it was important and filed it away for later unpacking. Here's a taste:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ludwig-Binswanger
His psychotherapy angle is interesting. I have read much of Irvin D Yaloms work, and he wrote a text book on Existential Psychotherapy. I need to dig into Binswanger. I appreciate this.
Internet archive has the old (1940) version of this book available for downloading at https://archive.org/details/yellowwolfhisown002070mbp
Great share, thank you!
We have people today who have never really reached inside themselves. They allow themselves to be herded into school, into jobs, into political parties. Their opinion is whatever has been indoctrinated into them at school. Their life's ambition is to conform.
It seems to be what mass populations under massive governments turn into. But to your point, there always exists the element of choice—to self rule or conform. Great comment, thank you.
A great essay full of terrific ideas memorably expressed.
Thank you Chris!
What came to mind with your post is: "Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself": FDR's First Inaugural Address. It felt like the worst of the purgatory.
That is on point, Barry. Thank you for dropping it in.