The Unknown

For being completely conceptual, the unknown is one of the most powerful forces that human beings encounter. It is the primary tool of the storyteller; it generates fear and stress; it starts wars and prevents them; it tests the brave and terrifies the meek.

We are prone to declare just how safe or dangerous something may be to us or others based on how well we understand it, and we will go to great lengths to either learn about it or to remain stubbornly ignorant.

Stopping Force

There is hardly a stronger demotivator than the unknown, as it is the brother to fear itself. Yet where fear can include a full understanding of the consequences for certain actions, the "What if's" of life are equally potent. It is not the guarantee of pain that binds us, so much as the chance. If we know what torment the future will bring us, we can plan accordingly, but the unknown robs us of the relief of a sure-fire solution.

Coincidentally, we will often prefer that certain facts remain unknown for fear of the effect they may have on us, or the regret they may yield. For many of us, we may be uncomfortable when it comes to so much as looking into future options. While we may have nothing to lose in exploring possibilities, we are ultimately opening ourselves up to the risk of making a poor choice. If this assessment is done after making a poor choice, it can cause significant frustration.

The Demon You Know

"Why don't you" is a very common start-up phrase used by the privileged when trying to offer solutions to the less fortunate. A person in an abusive relationship is prone to be asked why they don't just up and leave their partner. Potential backlash aside, many stay in awful relationships because it's ultimately familiar territory. Even if unhappy or scared, these emotions are preferable to what may happen if they do leave, and many abusive partners are more than willing to paint a bleak picture of what that choice will yield.

While not all circumstances are this this dire, once familiarity has been established, it is difficult to explore beyond it. It can be as extreme as fearing to trust new people, or as simple as not wanting to try a new restaurant when several other known good choices are nearby.

The Security Blanket

It is amazing how empowering it can be to have something familiar, anything familiar, in an unknown situation. A favorite food, beloved song, stuffed animal, picture of loved ones, presence of loved ones, coworker with similar interests, lucky underwear: any of these can do wonders to make a person feel safe when otherwise completely surrounded by the alien.

So it's really not such a crazy idea to think that you can do nearly anything as long as your friends are by your side.