Detroit Today: Understanding fear, tribalism amid the Israel-Hamas war
Where does that fear — particularly group fear — come from? And how does the media, social media and other institutions stoke our fear?
Palestinian women stand next to the body of a person killed in the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip in Rafah on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.
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Guest:
Dr. Arash Javanbakht is a psychiatrist and serves as the director of the Wayne State University Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC). He is the author of the book, “Afraid: Understanding the Purpose of Fear and Harnessing the Power of Anxiety.” He says when people watch violence online, it can intensify their fear.
“I really encourage people who are interested and want to know what’s happening in the Middle East to go read, to go learn about the history of what has been happening rather than just looking at your friends’ Instagram posts,” said Javanbakht.
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