[Black Behemoth]

Subtle fear has been used as a tool for people to gain power for themselves throughout history.

The Roman Emperors used military power as a subtle fear by conquering distant lands. While the emperor never openly say to fear him, they did. They feared that if they did not follow them, they assumed that they would die.

The Medieval Catholic Church used their religion as a subtle fear. They made the people believe that if they did not do what they said, God would hate them and they would receive damnation. However, they rarely showed this. They made people believe they were simply agents of the religion.

In modern times, several corporations use the media as a subtle fear. They make it so people believe that if someone is acting different from what is "cool" or "popular", it means they do not fit in. People then fear to be "nerdy" or "gothic" and fall into the trap that history has proved to be effective. While people do not think it, they really do fear not being cool, cool being what the corporation decided was right.

Throughout history, this has been used for personal gain for power and wealth. However, why not use this technique to do good? Why not use these influencial subtle fear techniques to prevent people from wanting to commit crime or take drugs? History has proven this is an effective method, so why not use it for the Greater Good of mankind? It may be a type of conspiracy and may appear to be brainwashing and the removal of one's freedom, but if the media can get away with it, then why cannot someone who wishes to do this for good?

If you do not understand what I mean by "subtle fear", I can gladly elaborate. But if you do, discuss it. It could prove to be a valuable tool in uncorrupting our youth, preventing crime, and supporting knowledge.

[Bash]

I've actually encouraged this view countless times to free society from excess and crime...simply for the very fact it has been proven to work across hundreds and hundreds of years irrespective of cultural, religious, technological or any other barriers.

[Commissar Elvis]

While I understand the interest here, to some extent, the Church was hardly subtle in its use of fear (Inquisition, witch trials, mass murder of pagans who refused to convert).

And fear is used to control the sheep, period. If there's not much to be afraid, but you're told to be afraid, you're a sheep. The American people are starting to wake up a bit, but for five years a vast majority of us were the worst sort of sheep, refusing to accept facts or open our eyes because we were told that 9/11 "changed everything." Films like Loose Change and popular discontent with a war being waged for far different reasons than we were told is starting to wake people up.

If you encourage the use of this, you fall into the above category. And sorry, but the people above the masses, controlling the sheep, are not posting in Warhammer 40K forums.

[Solourus]

Eh I dont fear anything. Any one who thinks being popular makes you cool is deluded :P

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Commissar Elvis

If you encourage the use of this, you fall into the above category. And sorry, but the people above the masses, controlling the sheep, are not posting in Warhammer 40K forums.

Yeah...they're too busy gaming with all the free time they have :P

Actually...as for global power...it means nothing to me and has no real appeal. I can work, spend time with those I love and enjoy myself...and feeling the warmth in my arms of someone I love makes me infinitely more satisfied and content than the wealthiest or most feared world leader.

[Gada Mazaha]

I dunno man.. Think about all those kinds of women who are attracted to power! Like Hillary!

Wouldn't you just love that?

Back on subject, I think it's a horrible thing that we have to deal with, and most people don't ever realize their lives are governed by it their entire lives. It's a sad, sad world.

But if you vote for me for dictator, I'm sure I can change that. >

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Gada Mazaha

I dunno man.. Think about all those kinds of women who are attracted to power! Like Hillary!

Wouldn't you just love that?

I only need one woman to be at all attracted to me and any others are annoyances at best and disturbing at worst...I actually don't like women hitting on me...and some of them are far less subtle...y'know, I just wanted to go buy some chips...I wasn't expecting a kind of Spanish Inquisition...

[Gada Mazaha]

Originally Posted by Bash

I only need one woman to be at all attracted to me and any others are annoyances at best and disturbing at worst...I actually don't like women hitting on me...and some of them are far less subtle...y'know, I just wanted to go buy some chips...I wasn't expecting a kind of Spanish Inquisition...

Oops, I guess I forgot my sarcasm tags. Silly me. :

[the_vilest_worm]

Originally Posted by Bash

I wasn't expecting a kind of Spanish Inquisition...

NOBODY SUSPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!

Bring out the comfy chair!

[Elessar]

Originally Posted by Commissar Elvis

While I understand the interest here, to some extent, the Church was hardly subtle in its use of fear (Inquisition, witch trials, mass murder of pagans who refused to convert).

It depends on what time period this is in. The church started off as nothing more than a massive charity(back during roman times) and slowly got worse and worse. So at one point we where dealing with subtle fear, priests dropping hints of eternal damnation: "Dont want to convert? Ok, its your funeral." Until we moved on to the eviserator style preaching of the 40K universe.

I beleive that fear cannont be used for good. Causing someone fear is wrong, and good cannont come out of doing wrong. Its like the soviet union using mass extermination, atrition and a number of horrible tactics to beat the germans. They did beat the german, but they didn't beat the evil the germans represented, they just joined it.