What is the best way to counter psychological warfare?
First, we need to distinguish between two types of fear: rational fear and irrational fear. Rational fear—the natural fear of terrorism which we all feel—is constructive: it makes each of us more vigilant of our surroundings—and awareness can thwart terrorism. I contrast this with irrational fear—fear that’s not proportional to the actual level of threat we as individuals face. Disproportionate fear is what stops us from doing what’s necessary for the larger society to function, whether it’s not taking a bus or not having our morning coffee at the local café. Irrational fear plays into the hands of terrorists. Do people exaggerate their own vulnerability after an attack? Yes. What happens is what I call “personalization of the attack.” We tend to place ourselves psychologically within the parameters of the attack, sending ourselves the counterproductive message: There but for the grace of God go I, or my kin, or my friend. I was lucky this time, but the next time I won’t be so lucky. I
