Mankind has been labeled the most rational animal on earth. Our rationality is what distinguishes us from any other creature on earth. We assume all of our behaviors are normal and should not be questioned. There is an old saying "better safe than sorry." This proverb is used as a means of protection against harms way. I think we should examine this a bit closer and see if it truly is "better safe than sorry." Fear of the unknown causes people to act in ways they normally don't act. As a people, we tend to think that we act rationally. Infact, when presented with a threat to our well being, we tend to act irrationally.
One example of mans irrational behavior when felt threatened, occurred during the weeks prior to the new year of 2000(Y2K). It was rumored that the technology we had built over the years was in extreme jeopardy. The problem was thought to be a glitch in all integrated computer systems world wide. Common belief was that the computers would not be able to switch over into the new Millennium form, thus causing major system crashes globally. The world was to stop functioning as we knew it. Society in general was to collapse the minute the clock struck twelve. Man was to revert back to the days of old, when we actually had to get our hands dirty. The real fear was that we would have no running water, electricity, food and basic public services. People began to arm themselves in preparation for the lawlessness to follow after the New Year. Stores began to sell out of food, emergency kits, batteries and anything else people felt would help them out in there time of need. The truth is computer specialists were prepared for Y2K and in fact had been working on preventing this disaster for years. In spite of all the reports that supported this, we still found ourselves fearing the unknown certainty of a possible meltdown of society as we know it today. This example of Y2K and the threat of harm to man, supports the idea of mans irrational behavior when felt threatened.
