--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What the media are telling you to be…" description: "\"What the media are telling you to be afraid of are the wrong things. Fear is a necessary ingredient of our survival instincts.\" — Michael Moore" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/michael-moore-884_afraid_what-the-media-are-telling-you-to-be-afr_231229.png" --- # What the media are telling you to be afraid of are the… ![“What the media are telling you to be afraid of are the wrong things. Fear is a necessary ingredient of our survival instincts.” quote by Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/michael-moore-884_afraid_what-the-media-are-telling-you-to-be-afr_231229.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/michael-moore-884_afraid_what-the-media-are-telling-you-to-be-afr_231229.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/michael-moore-884_afraid_what-the-media-are-telling-you-to-be-afr_231229.png) > “What the media are telling you to be afraid of are the wrong things. Fear is a necessary ingredient of our survival instincts.” [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fear highlights real threats; media often misdirects panic toward trivial issues. **In simple terms:** Fear signals danger; media can mislead. Key Takeaway Critically assess fear‑inducing messages. Themes media fear critical thinking Mood cautionary analytical Type political social When to use this quote - news consumption - public policy - personal safety Key Concepts political science psychology Questions to Reflect On - Which fears are truly justified? - How do you verify media claims? A Different Perspective Fear can be paralyzing if unchecked. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid/) [Afraid Wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-wrong-324635/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear Necessary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-necessary-857476/) [Ingredients](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ingredients/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [Media](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/media/) [Survival](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survival/) [Survival instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survival-instinct/) [Telling Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telling-afraid-271389/) [Things Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-fear/) [Wrong things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrong-things/) ## Related quotes > [We're still a sexophobic society, afraid of the wrong things for the wrong reasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-calderone/we-re-still-a-sexophobic-society-afraid-of-the-wrong-things-for-the/) [Mary Calderone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-calderone/) > [Begin to act from your dominion. Declare the truth by telling yourself that there is nothing to be afraid of, that you no longer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/begin-to-act-from-your-dominion-declare-the-truth-by-telling-yourself/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [God keeps telling us to be not afraid, to go big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/god-keeps-telling-us-to-be-not-afraid-to-go-big/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [At the doors, people are telling me they are afraid to let their children go to the movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-boshcoff/at-the-doors-people-are-telling-me-they-are-afraid-to-let-their/) [Ken Boshcoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-boshcoff/) > [ “ROY \[COHN\]:Please. Let me finish. Few people know this and I’m telling you this only because. . . . I’m not afraid of death.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-kushner/roy-cohn-please-let-me-finish-few-people-know-this-and-i-m-telling/) [Tony Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-kushner/) > [“...telling me not to be afraid, reminding me that even in the worst moments, when nothing makes sense and doubt and worry make everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-bayerl/telling-me-not-to-be-afraid-reminding-me-that-even-in-the-worst/) [Katie Bayerl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-bayerl/) > [Fear of mistake is JUst PART of what God gifts for you, Fear is necessary for you to cope up when your at high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peb2x/fear-of-mistake-is-just-part-of-what-god-gifts-for-you-fear-is/) [Peb2x](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peb2x/) > [“If you think about it, fear is necessary for great things, impossible things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-orton/if-you-think-about-it-fear-is-necessary-for-great-things-impossible/) [Eric Orton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-orton/) > [Grief is no more necessary when we understand death than fear is necessary when we understand flying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/grief-is-no-more-necessary-when-we-understand-death-than-fear-is/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [“Pain and fear are necessary and valuable components of life. Suffering and worry are destructive and unnecessary components of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-de-becker/pain-and-fear-are-necessary-and-valuable-components-of-life-suffering/) [Gavin de Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-de-becker/) > [“So you just have get over your sadness and fear and do what’s necessary for your child’s needs. If you don’t, no one else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-stanton/so-you-just-have-get-over-your-sadness-and-fear-and-do-what-s/) [Melissa Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-stanton/) > [I think, as an actor, it is good to feel the fear of failing miserably. I think you should take that risk. Fear is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/i-think-as-an-actor-it-is-good-to-feel-the-fear-of-failing-miserably/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [“Sometimes war is necessary in order that we can finally find peace. Sometimes fear is necessary for the soul to find its path again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/sometimes-war-is-necessary-in-order-that-we-can-finally-find-peace/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“Fear is necessary for evolution. The fear that one could be destroyed at any moment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sosuke-aizen/fear-is-necessary-for-evolution-the-fear-that-one-could-be-destroyed/) [Sosuke Aizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sosuke-aizen/) > [“Emma sat up very straight in the saddle. Her eyes were huge, but she said bravely, “I could do it!” “I know you can.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/emma-sat-up-very-straight-in-the-saddle-her-eyes-were-huge-but-she/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) ## More by Michael Moore > [If you reduce the guns and the ammo, you'll reduce the murders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/if-you-reduce-the-guns-and-the-ammo-you-ll-reduce-the-murders/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [You share things with people and I think information, and art, and ideas should be shared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/you-share-things-with-people-and-i-think-information-and-art-and/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [The purpose of art actually is, in many cases, to make you feel quite uncomfortable. Or at least to go to that place that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/the-purpose-of-art-actually-is-in-many-cases-to-make-you-feel-quite/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [Capitalism is against the things that we say we believe in - democracy, freedom of choice, fairness. It's not about any of those things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/capitalism-is-against-the-things-that-we-say-we-believe-in-democracy/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [We live in a time when fictitious election results elect a fictitious president. We live in a time where we have a man sending…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/we-live-in-a-time-when-fictitious-election-results-elect-a-fictitious/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [A government run by billionaires for billionaires is an affront to freedom and morality and humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/a-government-run-by-billionaires-for-billionaires-is-an-affront-to/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [There Is No Terrorist Threat In This Country. This Is A Lie. This Is The Biggest Lie We've Been Told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/there-is-no-terrorist-threat-in-this-country-this-is-a-lie-this-is/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [The real problem with the IRS is that they let General Electric not pay any taxes -- and 50 other corporations -- that's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/the-real-problem-with-the-irs-is-that-they-let-general-electric-not/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [Hope for the best is what we do, right from the moment we're born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/hope-for-the-best-is-what-we-do-right-from-the-moment-we-re-born/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [I get called 'controversial' all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/i-get-called-controversial-all-the-time/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [This book, 'Stupid White Men,' has sold now over four million copies worldwide. Probably about half of that may be in the U.S. and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/this-book-stupid-white-men-has-sold-now-over-four-million-copies/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [There's nothing pure about capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/there-s-nothing-pure-about-capitalism/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [If we say, 'The government sucks,' we're kind of saying that we suck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/if-we-say-the-government-sucks-we-re-kind-of-saying-that-we-suck/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [Nobody was talking about healthcare until 'Sicko' came out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/nobody-was-talking-about-healthcare-until-sicko-came-out/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [I have enormous respect for anyone who would offer to sacrifice their life to defend my right to live. Is there any greater gift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/i-have-enormous-respect-for-anyone-who-would-offer-to-sacrifice-their/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) [Explore all 339 Michael Moore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) ## More Afraid quotes > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [I used to be afraid of my temper, but it turns out I don't really have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/i-used-to-be-afraid-of-my-temper-but-it-turns-out-i-don-t-really-have/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm a pretty fearless person. I'm afraid of, like, creepy men in white vans and sidewalks with no streetlights. But I'm not afraid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-totah/i-m-a-pretty-fearless-person-i-m-afraid-of-like-creepy-men-in-white/) [Josie Totah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-totah/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) [Darlene Senger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darlene-senger/) > [Why am I so afraid to loose you,when you're not even mine?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-am-i-so-afraid-to-loose-you-when-you-re-not-even-mine/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want to tell you, but I cant, becuase I'm afraid if I do you'll never treat me same the again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/i-want-to-tell-you-but-i-cant-becuase-i-m-afraid-if-i-do-you-ll-never/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [Mistakes I've made in the past make me afraid to try new things in the future. I want to be perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/mistakes-i-ve-made-in-the-past-make-me-afraid-to-try-new-things-in/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [“Humans are naturally scared and confused beings. They not only fear the unknown, as they live fearing themselves... ☥”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-marques/humans-are-naturally-scared-and-confused-beings-they-not-only-fear/) [Luis Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-marques/) > [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [We cannot be afraid of the dark that they live in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burnie-burns/we-cannot-be-afraid-of-the-dark-that-they-live-in/) [Burnie Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burnie-burns/) > [“I think the reason we're cruel sometimes is that we're afraid we're going to like something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-think-the-reason-we-re-cruel-sometimes-is-that-we-re-afraid-we-re/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [I'm still with that feeling that I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, because somebody is going to punish me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-m-still-with-that-feeling-that-i-am-afraid-of-doing-the-wrong-thing/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) [Browse all 5,519 Afraid quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What the media are telling you to be afraid of are the wrong things. 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