Cause and effect. Real or imagined?

I II

Deaths Pollution

Illnesses DDT

Accidents are, or not, caused by Global warming

Shortened life spans existing levels of Second-hand smoke

Diseases Fat

Famine Rising/falling CO2 Flood Salt

It’s easy to find ourselves to have been so thoroughly manipulated that we think the items in column I are caused by the things in column 2. In actual fact, more of the things in column I are caused by governments’ tyranny and/or incompetence than by anything else.

We have to continually examine our thinking to be sure that we have not been needlessly alarmed by those whose livelihoods depend on creating a state of constant alarm.

“Worrisome” problems are usually lies that profit those who’ve hired the teller of the tale. As a rule of thumb, all news is comprised of press releases disguised as “dangers to our well-being.”

A good way to understand today’s “scares” is to pick up some very old newsmagazines. When we read them, we see a chronicle of yesterday’s imaginary fears and problems. It help us see how much “current news” is mostly made of imaginary ways to make us fear and worry.

Related: