Fear, as Franklin Roosevelt noted in 1933, paralyzes those who succumb to it. And much of what we worry about today is based on hype rather than reality. Yes, media headlines are partially to blame. But some things (sharks) are just downright scary. Using the most recent U.S. data available, we hereby present a list of unsettling threats and their far riskier counterparts.
Murders (2008) – 14,180
Suicides (2006) – 33,289
Children Abducted by Strangers (1999) – 115
Children who drown in pools (2006) – 288
Burglaries (2007) – 2.2 million
Identity Thefts (2005) – 8.3 million
Shark Attacks (2009) – 28
Dog Bites (annual averages & estimates) – 4.5 million
Americans Killed by Terrorist Attacks Around the World (2008) – 33
Americans Who Die from the Seasonal Flu – 36,171
(annual averages & estimates)
Deaths by Allergic Reaction to Peanuts – 50-100
(annual averages & estimates)
Deaths by Unintentional Poisoning (2006) – 27,531
Women Who Die From Breast Cancer (2009) – 40,170
Women Who Die From Cardiovascular Disease (2006) – 432,709
Fatal Airline Accidents (2005) – 321
Fatal Car Crashes (2008) – 34,017
American Audited by their IRS (2009) – 1.4 million
U.S. Deaths (2007) – 2.4 million
The only thing to fear, is fear itself.
ReplyDeleteFear is what is beating this country now.
Stand up to fear, and fight it back.