The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1997

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Download PDF

Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Chapters 10-12

Chapters 13-15

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Chapters 13-15Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 13 Summary: “Better to Be Wanted by the Police Than Not to Be Wanted at All”

The media exacerbates the assassination of public figures with attention. Individuals who lack exceptional traits and accomplishments sometimes seek notoriety through murder—especially that of someone with the recognition they desire. Assassins often evolve from obsessed fans to enemies to assassins when the object of their fascination fails to respond favorably. To them, the desire to be linked to a specific target justifies taking their life. This obsession is an accurate PIN, due to its history: Predictions are important, particularly in cases involving politicians, because successful assassinations have cultural impact. Should one individual challenge democracy, the very idea of national security becomes questionable. Assassinations increase in the aftermath of such attacks, as like-minded individuals become encouraged at the thought of gaining similar notoriety. Thus, de Becker believes changing the media’s treatment of assassins could prevent further attacks. He instructs news outlets to frame assassins as unnamed, disturbed people, not figures worthy of fear and awe.

Chapter 14 Summary: “Extreme Hazards”

In 1983, de Becker was alerted to a multiple homicide at the home of one of several stalkers monitored by his security firm. He escorted his friend and client, famous singer and actress Olivia Newton-John, to a safehouse, as her stalker was the likely perpetrator. For weeks, his team and law enforcement officers from across the country searched for the perpetrator. De Becker’s challenge was to determine whether Newton-John or the stalker’s other obsession, attorney and politician Sandra Day O’Connor, would be his target. When sociologist Walt Risler examined the crime scene, he was able to interpret the perpetuator’s ritualistic elements and conclude he would likely target O’Connor. Informed by his specific expertise, Risler ultimately relied on JACA. The stalker was apprehended in Washington, DC, but Newton-John’s property was also combed—and produced two obsessed, albeit non-violent, fans camping in its vicinity.

Chapter 15 Summary: “The Gift of Fear”

With his book, de Becker intends to empower others to live more openly, not fearfully. He shares two rules to facilitate this process: Firstly, “the very fact that you fear something is solid evidence that it is not happening” (323). In contrast to ruminating, true fear is operative. Secondly, “What you fear is rarely what you think you fear—it is what you link to fear” (323). Determining whether one is anxious or truly fearful can be accomplished by considering outcomes linked to one’s fears. The avoidance of pain and death is part of fear, and if neither is imminent, one is wasting resources. Overall, humankind’s continued existence proves the world is generally safer than it is dangerous. De Becker acknowledges worry is generated by the desire to feel safe, the belief that ruminating on outcomes prepares oneself for potential danger. He reminds the reader that news outlets seek to increase revenue, rather than accurately inform the public of true dangers. Honoring intuition means giving oneself permission to disregard the inconsequential and trust oneself.

Chapters 13-15 Analysis

Just as de Becker blames the media’s handling of assassins for influencing would-be assassins, he also blames them for increased anxiety in America—reinforcing the theme of Perpetual Anxiety as a Hindrance to Safety. Assassinations of public figures, especially politicians, perpetuate national worry—thus, one should be informed but selective with information so as to not harm their mental health. Revenue through engagement dictates disproportionate reporting of violence by news outlets, rather than the need to always reflect reality. This inaccurate depiction of the world as unpredictable feeds into the cycle of worry. Though he provides statistics of violence, de Becker does not normalize it. While Chapter 14 recounts his specific experience protecting celebrity Olivia Newton-John from a stalker-turned-mass murderer, his approach trains the reader to reflect on previous chapters and their own context. Many people worry because they believe it prepares them for potential danger. De Becker characterizes worry as unhelpful because it relies on potential outcomes rather than intuitive knowledge, which is strictly situational. The antidote to worry is action: If one finds themselves worrying, they should examine what is happening around them in the present. If there is something to be done to increase safety, one should take action, but if there is nothing to be done, one is feeling worry rather than true fear. Thus, one can experience peace of mind while possessing the skills to stay safe.