A while ago, I was introduced to the concept of fear waves.

The concept is easily understood but is often dismissed because it occurs so frequently and can take multiple years to play out simultaneously.

First – a definition.
A fear wave is an occurrence that causes a person, society, or a community anxiety, depression, the old fight/flight, or desperation.

Then, it goes away for a little while. The issue was resolved or toned to a moderate level. Something new and shiny comes along to distract, and then – bam – the same occurrence resurges with a fresh coat of slime green.

I think a good example is the ever-present COVID.
Stick with me here.

COVID happened.

People reacted with fight, flight, or freeze.
These are typical reactions to danger.

People ‘fought’ it.
COVID was BS. It was a conspiracy.
– These people are typically labeled as conspiracy theorists and dismissed. They were canceled. Reputations destroyed. Jobs lost, lives derailed.

People fell into the “flight” category.
They stopped going outside and engaging with others. Among Us players rose. These are those who tried to hide. Some may have gotten the shot. Some may not. They just wanted to sit in the tub and wait for it to be over.

People who “froze,” didn’t know what to do.
They may have given up personal agency and just did whatever someone told them. Even if facts, or “facts” were presented to them, they just didn’t have the bandwidth to take action.

I would like to add a fourth one. Keeping with the “f” words – fight, flight, freeze, I want to add “fawn.”

Fawning people are those who all but worship Fauchi. Whatever the “expert” said became gossip. Masks, multiple shots, washing food, staying indoors, canceling Christmas, and placing grandma into a nursing home – that would have surely harmed her – was okay.

Some people even became excessively overeager by getting more shots than recommended – all the shots – hoarding COVID test kits, and keeping their children in the basement.

Of course, people can be all of these, none of these categories, or a hybrid. I think I was stuck between “fight” and “freeze.” Jason was definitely a ‘fight,’ so he pushed me to the ‘fight,’ which I’m grateful for. With all the crap I got going on now, an mRNA shot isn’t something else I have to contend with.

———— So, COVID was a fear wave that caused all these reactions.

Then, another COVID mutation.
Then another.
Then another.

Then it went away for a while.
Now it’s back in the form of screw worms, Ebola, or Monkey Pox. — Just whatever.

Each “wave” of fear doesn’t have the same punch of the first. Jobs aren’t being lost because of it – that’s AI. Only oddballs wear masks in public. Schools aren’t canceling.

But each iteration sparks fear – even if it’s a little bit.
COVID was bad. It caused people to die. It caused pain. It caused loss of dreams, goals, relationships….

Each time it comes up – good things can be taken away. The fear is there.

So… when a new fear appears, one that’s not related to COVID, people are tested just a bit more.

More fear.
More uncertainty.
Fight, flight, fear, fawn, are reinforced.

It’s not COVID.
It’s the tariffs. That lasted a bit. It was big for a while, then became hidden as the new shiny thing took center stage.

The Strait of Hormus.

It was just for a little while.
30 days. 60 days.
There was a peace deal. Then there wasn’t.
Prices go up. Then they go down.

Each change is a fear wave.

Two weeks to stop the spread.
In 30 days, it’ll be over.

America will be fine!
At least the infected weren’t burned here as in other countries.
At least people can still drive to work. In other nations, there are mandatory work-from-home days to reduce gas consumption and prevent rolling blackouts.

The COVID wave, inflation wave, tariff wave, AI job loss wave, war wave… ..

Each time – it comes.
It goes.
It intensifies.
It backs off.
It comes back.

Trump is a masterclass at waves.


The waves gain strength through social media, political framing, echo chambers, and news.

The fear becomes misaligned, misreported, and misinterpreted. It’s biased, changing, and very real.

Although no one can agree what “real” is and “truth” is based on the person – not the facts.

Society will eat itself.
The fighters will be the first to go. Being austorsized, lacking in resources, and canceled, they’re dismissed.

Those who flight are non-combatants.

Those who freeze will be won by the most active group. The one with the most media and governmental support. Those who are the friendliest or most outspoken. Those who claim to have authority or follow it.

— The people who kiss the ring.
Those who fawn.

And that’s it.
No critical thinking.
No passion. No purpose other than to serve the ruling conglomerate.
Look at the pretty colors on the screen and never mind that we’re tracking where you are, who you’re with, and stripping free will (even if it existed at all) from you..

If you have a problem – anxiety – you think there’s something going on. Do you want to be a hero? There’s a pill for that! SSRIs are cheaper than beer! Medical marijuana is trying to become legalized everywhere.

People are ripe to become soylent green and accept the AI overlords.

And that’s it.

Game over.

Any Polymarket bets on what the next wave will be?
We’ve had COVID, economics, and war.

Could it finally be climate’s turn or will one of the old hits be dusted off again?