Commentaries on our new ways of perceiving disasters

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to help readers gain more understanding of the new phenomena of terror, risk, and threat perception.Design/methodology/approachVarious authors are reviewed: Castel, Beck, Baral, Kellner, Sabada, Korstanje, and in particular, Baudrillard.FindingsSeveral matches are found among the reviewed authors which comprise, for example: late modernity (from 1970 to date) witnesses an increase of fears, panic, and risk assessments in social imaginary; these concerns are part of a process that opens the future to the contingency. That way, the decision‐making process in human beings sheds light on certain aspects of life such as health, body‐care planning but this has a dark side; even though the modern state is in charge of warranting the stability and security, external dangers override their capacities of response. An emergent sentiment of anxiety arises whenever human relations collapse.Originality/valueThis paper is an interesting commentary from an anthropologist/social psychologist specializing in the effects of September 11 or other man‐made and natural disasters.