Terrorism: A product of Fear conditioning?

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified, terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

Terrorism. Perhaps the most common word used in the last few years. Everyone, from a wannabe who wants to get attention, political flunkies trying to show how much they care, business tycoons trying to prove they too have a conscience, have used this word. But how many truly understand it? And why are we all affected by it?

In psychology, there is a phenomenon called Fear Conditioning. The method by which organisms learn to fear new stimuli. It is done by slowly introducing an object to which a person might be averse to. Then by repeatedly making the person undergo this, building a sort of fear system within him. After a certain point, any object which might have the remotest connection to the object used earlier starts to have an effect on him. Words, images, associated with it begin to haunt him till the very name of the object gives him nightmares.

I believe, Terrorism is the best example for this. What started off as a group of radicals trying to achieve their objectives using extreme measures has grown into this phenomenon which is at the top of every country's potential threats list. How? Simply because of the attention it got. Because we failed to recognize that by giving it unwanted attention,we were creating a monster. These bunch of bozos began to realize that the more preposterous their actions,the more attention they got. And the more we hyped it up, the more fear it created. In the beginning it was just one of those distasteful events which happened once in a while. Then they started happening in regions a little closer to us. Of course, we cannot forget our dear old media with upcoming news channels vying for greater viewership which played a great role in giving these idiots the attention they craved for. With the over enthusiastic reporters, who rather than giving the news were more interested in proving they were the first ones to arrive at the spot. Selling news became the 'in thing' everywhere.

In the midst of all this was the aam aadmi, who religiously tuned to news channels at nine every night, more out of a habit than anything else. And what did he see? Great leaders everywhere expressing their sorrow over the losses of the other country (what wud happen to our foreign relations if we don't respond, they ask), more reports on bombing, mass killing, deaths..basically everything which confused the poor fellow and forced him to ask "But, why are we not doing anything about it?" and had to be contented with fellow aam aadmi's answer during tea at the office the next day "What can we do when these big people are not able to do anything?". Little did we realize that our inaction to voice our opinions then would bring about an event like 26/11 in our lives. That we were still being 'conditioned to fear' this baseless thing called terrorism.

But, post this attack inflicted to destroy our morale, a miracle has occured. It has resulted in bringing out the things which could offer a solution to the opened Pandora's Box. Hope. And Courage. By deciding to speak out, the common man has decided to take the responsibility in his own hands. Fear Conditioners be damned, no more of this bull anymore. The whole country has put its differences aside and decided to tackle these terrorist losers head on. The sacrifice of a few heroes has resulted in the birth of many. Even U.S. which generally likes to sit on the high chair and look down has started paying attention. Though slowly, everyone's recognizing it. India has arrived.

This is the time, when everyone stands united, to get rid of this baseless fear which has been pervading our minds. Let us all play our parts, however little and make sure a thing like this is never repeated. Let us learn from the past and move on towards a brighter future.

Until next time,
Adios.