The Tower of Fear
Fear dominates all other emotions. It is at the same time the essence and the antithesis of human nature. It is the essence because often times fear is what drives us towards emotions like anger or embarrassment, while it is also a path away from human instinct and emotion by driving us to shut down. In this way fear is a double edged sword. On the one hand it is what leads us to our most primal defensive emotions, it "closes us off" from the outside world. On the other hand, only when we conquer fear can we freely express our true selves, our true emotions.
Fear dominates our emotions through locking us up. The homecoming game is a wonderful example of this premise. Everyone is afraid of rejection, they only want to be accepted as a part of the group, so most people chant when others chant, and sit or stand according to the crowd. The fear they have of sticking out causes them to suppress what they may want to do, be it start their own cheer, or not yell at all, or maybe to sit during a climactic moment of the game. Fear dictated the actions of the majority of the Hopkins student body at the homecoming football game. Fear also controls other emotions. When we are afraid we repress our tendencies to be emotional. This is often caused by the primal want for acceptance, and fear of rejection. Among a larger group a friend of mine wasn't able to express his anger at another friend for shortchanging him on more than one occasion, however, when the larger group wasn't present he complained to me about his annoyance and impatience with the third party.
Conquering fears is the best course towards emotion. When we fear things we act differently, however, a lack of fear can open the floodgates of deep thoughts. This is the reason why you only truly get to know people well after a long time. At first they may be afraid of your judgment, however, at a certain point they feel ready to lose that fear, or face it, and lay themselves on the line. The prime example of this is also, coincidentally from homecoming weekend, although, not exactly an example of a close relationship. My esteemed colleague Timmy Van Sickle made the decision at homecoming to conquer a fear. He took off his clothes and ran around the football field barring all for the crowd. While this may not be viewed favorably by all it supplies a demonstration of my thesis. While he ran people said to me, "Noah, you should do that next year!" My response, was one of fear. I was afraid of being arrested, of suspension, and of my parents' reaction. However, I noticed that Timmy seemed genuinely happy and excited, even while being escorted y law enforcement from the field. Why? Timmy had released himself from his fears to streak across the field. Because he ignored, or conquered his fear of the consequences of his actions he was able to truly show his emotions. However distastefully some might have thought his display, I thought it was a beautiful demonstration of the highest form of human freedom and emotion, only demonstrated by freedom from fear.
Fear can come from numerous places, often for teens from peer pressure, or from the want to meet or exceed expectations. However, it is readily clear that fear is the most powerful emotion as it dictates other emotions when it is not kept in check.
Fear dominates our emotions through locking us up. The homecoming game is a wonderful example of this premise. Everyone is afraid of rejection, they only want to be accepted as a part of the group, so most people chant when others chant, and sit or stand according to the crowd. The fear they have of sticking out causes them to suppress what they may want to do, be it start their own cheer, or not yell at all, or maybe to sit during a climactic moment of the game. Fear dictated the actions of the majority of the Hopkins student body at the homecoming football game. Fear also controls other emotions. When we are afraid we repress our tendencies to be emotional. This is often caused by the primal want for acceptance, and fear of rejection. Among a larger group a friend of mine wasn't able to express his anger at another friend for shortchanging him on more than one occasion, however, when the larger group wasn't present he complained to me about his annoyance and impatience with the third party.
Conquering fears is the best course towards emotion. When we fear things we act differently, however, a lack of fear can open the floodgates of deep thoughts. This is the reason why you only truly get to know people well after a long time. At first they may be afraid of your judgment, however, at a certain point they feel ready to lose that fear, or face it, and lay themselves on the line. The prime example of this is also, coincidentally from homecoming weekend, although, not exactly an example of a close relationship. My esteemed colleague Timmy Van Sickle made the decision at homecoming to conquer a fear. He took off his clothes and ran around the football field barring all for the crowd. While this may not be viewed favorably by all it supplies a demonstration of my thesis. While he ran people said to me, "Noah, you should do that next year!" My response, was one of fear. I was afraid of being arrested, of suspension, and of my parents' reaction. However, I noticed that Timmy seemed genuinely happy and excited, even while being escorted y law enforcement from the field. Why? Timmy had released himself from his fears to streak across the field. Because he ignored, or conquered his fear of the consequences of his actions he was able to truly show his emotions. However distastefully some might have thought his display, I thought it was a beautiful demonstration of the highest form of human freedom and emotion, only demonstrated by freedom from fear.
Fear can come from numerous places, often for teens from peer pressure, or from the want to meet or exceed expectations. However, it is readily clear that fear is the most powerful emotion as it dictates other emotions when it is not kept in check.
posted by Noah Tal Berman at
8:09 PM
1 Comments:
In light of so many reactions of distaste to the streaking, it's intriguing to hear it spoken of in such a specific light. Appropriate for the Van Sickle incident, yes. But I question whether or not other emotions dictate the flow of the student body: enthusiasm, joy, etc. Yes, fear plays a role in the actions of some, but does the happiness--or at least that which appears to be happiness--stem from the overcoming of fear or something communal?
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