Like a lot of the population, I've had some general anxiety about public speaking. Trust that it wasn't a terrible fear or even a paralyzing one, but it was still something I didn't exactly look forward to. Then I took a public speaking course in college. I learned that I simply had jitters and that I actually have no issues with public speaking. As for the rest of my classmates? Well, let's just say that quite a few of them dropped out of the course before the end of the term.
After Redditor mrbigshott asked the online community, "What is harmless but generally terrifies most people?" people weighed in with their observations.
"They don't realize..."
A child with a balloon in his/her hand. They don't realize the auditory destructive power they hold. One of the reasons why I hate going to children's birthday parties.
"My grandparents had a cottage..."
Seaweed. My grandparents had a cottage as I was growing up and I spent every Saturday swimming around. I used to snorkel and swim through the different types of seaweed.
So I was very surprised when my friend visited and refused to go anywhere near seaweed. I've since learned that a lot of people hate the stuff.
"Statistically speaking..."
Elevators. Statistically speaking, you're waaaay more likely to die taking the stairs. I dare you to ask me just how safe elevators are. Your anxiety will melt.
"People pay so much money..."
Working on their own vehicles. People pay so much money for the most simple automotive repairs. A few simple automotive tools and youtube will save a mildly brave person a lot of money and build self confidence.
"Asking someone you like..."
Asking someone you like out. Usually the worst thing that happens is a brief, awkward exchange that who ever you asked forgets about 2 hours later.
Meanwhile you stand to gain a lover or at least someone to keep your bed warm for a while.
"You're more likely to die..."
Rollercoasters.
You're more likely to die on your way to visit a theme park than on a rollercoaster (or basically any attraction that might be there), but there's a ton of people that are too scared of them. I honestly don't understand that fear.
"People hear 'nuclear'..."
Nuclear Power.
Thorium reactors and breeder reactors are the safest greenest current future for the world. But because of old failures in almost completely different technology. People hear "nuclear" and freak out.
"People go nuts..."
Coyotes. People go nuts when they see one but unless you're a small child it's way less dangerous than a lot of dog breeds people don't mind being around.
"They're also better for the environment..."
GMOs.
GMOs are safe. They're not "frankenfoods injected with chemicals." It's just lab controlled hybridization and crossbreeding. Not the crap you read about from science denying conspiracy theorists.
They're also better for the environment as they require less land, less water, and fewer pesticides while producing more crops than organic. And often they have more nutrients - like golden rice which is so high in vitamin A it can prevent blindness in children.
And yet people are terrified of them as if they expect them to suddenly become sentient and throw little girls into rivers.
"Unless you decide..."
Sharks are actually pretty harmless. Unless you decide to intimidate them, they'll never attack you. Humans taste disgusting to them, anyway.
Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.
@pokket/Bluesky
@RachelTrue/X
@catladyresister/Bluesky
@wmf5/Bluesky
@TheBrianShapiro/X
Tim Deline/Facebook
@matthew-ds9/Bluesky
Kar Prentice Scott/Facebook
Carl Fant/Facebook
@thetruth11/Bluesky
