This document discusses how fear can breed both innovation and problems. It notes that fear has historically driven innovation in areas like defense technology during the Cold War, security after 9/11, and renewable energy due to climate change fears. However, institutionalizing fear can also lead to issues like rebellion, mistrust, conspiracy theories, and a loss of rational thinking. The document advocates balancing perspective when leveraging fear to drive solutions.

1. ~How Fear Breeds~
Suril Desai ©
DYSoC- May 2008
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2. How Opinions Form
Trends Emerge
Trends Analyzed
Conclusions Drawn
Opinions Formed
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3. 2 Types of Innovation
Aha! Innovation© Oh No! Innovation©
• Curiosity • Anxiety
• Exciting • Stress
• Philanthropic • Cost-sensitive
• Unbound Imagination • Restricted Imagination
• Idea based • Need based
• Simplicity • Complicated
• Voluntary • Compulsion
• Challenge • Uncertainty Doubt
• Hopeful • Hopelessness
• Driven by solutions • Driven by the problem
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4. Balance Perspective
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5. Fear is Powerful Tool
• Arms Race during the Cold War- gave rise to a whole new breed of
weapons and drove innovation to new heights
• Y2K fear gave a booster shot to IT- drove the commercialization of
internet and made it available to consumers. Technology- From Tactical to
Practical
• 911 and the terror threat- the fear of terrorism resulted in further
innovations in the security business, IT enabled technology. Increased
defense spending and thus increased innovation- In 2005 the global
defense expenditure was just 6% less than the Cold War peak, 1987-
1988
• Climate Change fear – is driving the demand for renewable energy,
alternative lifestyle, replacement of highly polluting and outdated
industrial establishments, and energy efficient products and services
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10. Consumer
Fear Producer
Threat Opportunity
Paranoia Grow
Contempt Learn
Guilt Go Forward
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11. Entrepreneurship
of a
ih ood
Likel bble
Climate
Bu
Change
Fear Opportunity
Outdated Industrial
Establishments Replacement
New
Jobs Markets,
Lifestyle
Changes
Energy Efficiency Enhancement
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12. Paradox of Fear
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13. Comparisons
Internet Boom-Dotcom Bust Y2K Energy Solution- Climate Change
• Completely driven by technology • Based on improvement of
and science, minimal political technology and energy efficiency,
influence with a strong political presence
• Divided by intellectual property, • Divided by perspective- Global
free vs. paid Warming vs. Global Cooling
• Have fun and enjoy • Do or die situation
• Young, fast paced, non • Major promoters governments
hierarchical and environmental groups, slow
• Quick Turnover, quick exits, quick moving and bureaucratic
profits • Slow turnover, longer
• Less capital investment, startup commitment
friendly • Large capital pool required,
• Failure is claim to fame • Failure is shame
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15. Problem of Institutionalizing Fear
• Rebellion develops
• Mistrust and Propaganda
• Conspiracy Theories
• Guilt contempt and hate
• Logic and rationality are lost
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16. Psychological Impact
• CCAD-Climate Change Anxiety Disorder
• TEOTWAWKI -The End Of The World As We
Know It syndrome
• People lashing out those who use SUV’s and
imposing “Ecofriendly” lifestyle on others
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