Barry Glassner

About the Author

Barry Glassner is a distinguished sociologist and professor emeritus at the University of Southern California, where he has long explored the intersections of culture, media, and public perception. His groundbreaking work dissects how fear is manufactured and perpetuated in American society, revealing the often irrational anxieties that shape policy and daily life. In his seminal book, The Culture of Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things, Glassner masterfully unpacks the myths surrounding crime, drugs, and terrorism, urging readers to question the narratives fed by sensationalist news and political rhetoric. With a career spanning decades, Glassner's insightful analyses continue to influence discussions on social issues, blending rigorous research with accessible prose to empower informed citizenship.