Sasha Ambrasky to Speak on the Rhetoric of Fear

Where: Voorhies Hall 126, UC Davis

When:  November 7, 4:00-5:30 p.m.

What: How a Rhetoric of Fear Increasingly Shapes Our Culture and Our Politics

Author and journalist, Sasha Abramsky, will be speaking on the topic of irrational fear from his new book, Jumping at Shadows: The Triumph of Fear and the End of the American Dream. Mr. Abramsky will explore how the fear-based frame that we, the public, use to understand a range of complex issues -- from terrorism to disease, parenting to vaccinations -- has a ricochet effect throughout our economy, our culture, and our politics. 

The book is reportage-based, and Mr. Abramsky will be discussing some of the interviews in the book, as well as some of the fascinating psychology and near-science around fear and around how we construct understandings of risk. 

This is the first of a series of events focused on Public Rhetoric that Rhetoric@Davis is planning for 2017-2018. 

An open forum following Mr. Abramsky's talk is scheduled for November 13, 4:00-5:30 p.m. in Voorhies Hall 126. An interdisciplinary panel will facilitate the discussion, which will continue to explore fear-based frames of understanding.

Both events are free. We hope to see you there!