Greed and security as two manifestations of fear

**khadi** · 12-01-2009, 08:44 PM

"Greed is the 'offensive' side of fear; it's the seeking of comfort. Security is the 'defensive' side of fear; it's the protection of comfort."
–Derrick Jensen, Welcome to the Machine

What do you think of this idea?

**daydreamer** · 12-01-2009, 09:03 PM

exercising greed often entails great risk. i don't see how that is an extension of fear. also, greed can have a competitive element to it; again, i don't see how that's related to fear.

security can be caused by fear, and also cause fear: the more you have, the more you may fear you have to lose

**Priori** · 12-01-2009, 10:39 PM

I loathe opinions that insist that surviving is selfish and greedy.

Only in the persecution or exploitation of another individual *or an animal too I suppose* do these gain any validly for me.

I do not 'fear' not having a tempurpedic bed, so why must I to have it?

Regardless, good quote in the context of a large group of people. hehe

**combustor** · 12-02-2009, 05:38 PM

	Originally Posted by khadi To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	"Greed is the 'offensive' side of fear; it's the seeking of comfort. Security is the 'defensive' side of fear; it's the protection of comfort." –Derrick Jensen, Welcome to the Machine What do you think of this idea?

complete idiocy.

What do either greed or security have to do with fear? It doesn't make sense. You could argue that greed and security were two sides of love just as easily.

**Shauru** · 12-02-2009, 11:17 PM

I actually agree for the most part.

IN A SOCIETY OF CONSUMERISM, this makes sense. If material wealth is the sole definition of success and achievement in a society that ties closely with ones perception of self. If you aren't acquiring things or keeping what is yours secure you seem to be on the outskirts of what the the mainstream is doing.

You can really see this sort of idea played up in advertising. Commercials suppose there is something lacking in your life, the idea of lacking something or being incomplete seems to be a very attack on ones person. Surely it is a weakness if *I* am lacking something. Then the man assures you that problem will be solved if you purchase this item or that.

After that, there is the appeal to security, which often stems more directly to fear. You could die, leaving your loved ones a huge financial burden, buy life insurance. Or "6 shot dead at local tavern, more at 11" followed by home security systems commercial. Direct appeal to your fears of losing what you have acquired, therefore seeking security.

I Know i'm going to get kicked in the shins by all of you so please read the following

In my response let it be known that I am assuming a few things:
1. That this applies to a society dedicated to consumerism and suffering from large amounts of anxiety. (Say U.S. I live here don't tell me it's not a great example)

2. I am taking how the author has chosen to define greed and security into account.

12-01-2009, 08:44 PM	#1
khadi Member [31%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,257	"Greed is the 'offensive' side of fear; it's the seeking of comfort. Security is the 'defensive' side of fear; it's the protection of comfort." –Derrick Jensen, Welcome to the Machine What do you think of this idea?
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12-01-2009, 09:03 PM	#2
daydreamer Veteran Member [66%] MBTI: xntx Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,644	exercising greed often entails great risk. i don't see how that is an extension of fear. also, greed can have a competitive element to it; again, i don't see how that's related to fear. security can be caused by fear, and also cause fear: the more you have, the more you may fear you have to lose
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12-01-2009, 10:39 PM	#3
Priori Member [04%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 174	I loathe opinions that insist that surviving is selfish and greedy. Only in the persecution or exploitation of another individual or an animal too I suppose do these gain any validly for me. I do not 'fear' not having a tempurpedic bed, so why must I to have it? Regardless, good quote in the context of a large group of people. hehe
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12-02-2009, 11:17 PM	#5
Shauru Member [15%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 612	I actually agree for the most part. IN A SOCIETY OF CONSUMERISM, this makes sense. If material wealth is the sole definition of success and achievement in a society that ties closely with ones perception of self. If you aren't acquiring things or keeping what is yours secure you seem to be on the outskirts of what the the mainstream is doing. You can really see this sort of idea played up in advertising. Commercials suppose there is something lacking in your life, the idea of lacking something or being incomplete seems to be a very attack on ones person. Surely it is a weakness if I am lacking something. Then the man assures you that problem will be solved if you purchase this item or that. After that, there is the appeal to security, which often stems more directly to fear. You could die, leaving your loved ones a huge financial burden, buy life insurance. Or "6 shot dead at local tavern, more at 11" followed by home security systems commercial. Direct appeal to your fears of losing what you have acquired, therefore seeking security. I Know i'm going to get kicked in the shins by all of you so please read the following In my response let it be known that I am assuming a few things: 1. That this applies to a society dedicated to consumerism and suffering from large amounts of anxiety. (Say U.S. I live here don't tell me it's not a great example) 2. I am taking how the author has chosen to define greed and security into account.
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