The media love a good story, or at least one that gets everyone’s attention – even if it isn’t the thing most people should worry about. One man mapped media coverage of various threats (because good news rarely gets the same level of attention). All of the fears have a real basis, but look at it yourself to decide whether the level of attention was in proportion to the threat. Asteroids can wipe out most life on the planet, but incredibly rarely. Even that possibility is given small coverage compared to diseases: Ebola, Swine Flu, Bird Flu, and SARS. In the meantime, heart disease, domestic violence, and accidents affect far more people. Just because it is on the news does not make it news.
(Click on the graph for the link.)
Pretending Not To Panic 