Sometimes information poses a global threat
Narayanan Kannan
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/11/03/200911030041.asp
Studies of "sociogenic illness" show that information alone, even if
incorrect, can cause symptoms of illness. In one U.S. example,
children suffered vomiting, headaches, and nausea, caused by a belief
among their parents that they had been exposed to a toxic gas leak at
school. There was no gas, but false information was enough to cause
actual illness
Climate chief: give up meat to save the planet
There is nothing to fear but fear itself
So how long before "planetarism" becomes a sacred justification for a
host of questionable practices, for example unsafe technologies,
unnecessary consumer goods, increased taxes, oppressive political
policies, and even recycled religions. In 2002, in his book "Straw
Dogs," philosopher John Gray warned that even benign environmental
concern can be seen as a faith-based ideology. The slogan "God is
green" is now in use. The political presentation of terrorism as an
infinite problem provides omens about how global threats can become an
excuse for political deceit and oppressive laws.
How we create information about global threats is the global threat
over which we have the most control.
Religions have been propagating messages about apocalypses for
millennia, and this has made remarkably little impression on daily
life. There have been major disasters such as the bombing of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and mass industrial
killings such as that caused by the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal.
Millions have died and suffered in hideous wars. Millions suffer daily
from food and water shortages. Yet life goes on.
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"Be the change you wish to see in the world." -Gandhi