humans are born with just 2 innate fears: falling (which also accounts for fear of deep water) and loud sounds. all other fears are learned.

the typical american gun collector is a white male with limited education, without any particular religious affiliation. the most common reason that they collect guns is that they are anxious about 3 things: 1. their ability to protect their families. 2. their place in the job market. 3. other races than their own.

human beings are often instinctively afraid of anything that mimics human behavior but that their brain doesn't categorize as 'human'. this applies to dolls, robots, computer voices, people with a lot of plastic surgery or who are missing limbs, clowns, mimes, apes, vampires, and members of congress.

(just kidding: there's no such thing as vampires.)