Terrorists. Swine Flu. Climate change. Unemployment. It seems we may have more to fear than fear itself. But do we have any more to be afraid of than generations that have gone before us? Journalist Daniel Gardner says it's simply "arrogant" to think as such. We are living longer and better than humans in all of history--and yet, we're increasingly afraid. "This," says Gardner, "is one of the greatest paradoxes of our time."

So what explains this fearfulness? Does it make sense to be afraid to fly? Afraid of health care reform?

Coming up, Where We Live, Dan Gardner joins us to talk about his book The Science of Fear: How the Culture of Fear Manipulates Your Brain. We’re also joined by our friend and Hartford Courant columnist, Susan Campbell, author of the blog Fear Itself.

Join the conversation. What really freaks you out?  Leave your comments below.