I remember being onstage once when I didn't have fear: I got so scared I didn't have fear that it brought on an anxiety attack.

My optimism is not based primarily on the successful march of democracy in recent times but rather is based on the experience of having lived in a fear society and studied the mechanics of tyranny that sustain such a society.

In contrast, fear societies are societies in which dissent is banned.

People may believe that there can be a society where dissent is not permitted, but which is nonetheless not a fear society because everyone agrees with one another and therefore no one wants to dissent.

Will dissent be permitted? The answer to that question will determine whether the society is a free society or a fear society.