Read The Culture of Fear by Glassner

1. What is a "metaphoric illness" according to Glassner?
2. In what ways and to what degree do "metaphoric illnesses" "help us come to terms with features of our society that we are unprepared to confront directly" (153)?How do metaphoric ailments and other unfounded fears serve as "critiques of major social institutions" (163)?
3. In what ways do the media, despite an overall record of accurate reporting, continue to promote illogical fears, such as fears of flying?
4. In "The Martians Aren't Coming," Glassner describes the "tidal wave of panic" that swept the U.S. in 1938 when people listening to Orson Welles's radio adaptation of War of the Worlds mistakenly believed the radio broadcast was real and that earth was being invaded by Martians. He goes on to say, "The pressing question is the same now as it was in 1938: Why do people embrace improbable pronouncements?...Why do we entertain preposterous claims...?" Now that you have read the book, how do YOU answer this question? Why DO people continue to embrace "improbable pronouncements" and "preposterous claims"?
5. What does Glassner mean when he uses the term "the sick-society narrative"? To what extent do you think it influences our current culture and society? Does our contemporary culture project and reinforce "the sick-society narrative"? In what specific way/s have you seen this projected and reinforced?