Perception or reality? A risky business

By every objective measure, from infant mortality to life expectancy, Westerners are healthier today and are exposed to fewer hazards than ever before. However, living longer and having few immediate, material concerns now seems to mean that we have more time to contemplate all sorts of long-term theoretical risks. A catalogue of surveys demonstrates that we worry so much about the future that we believe new technologies and innovative products and services should not be permitted until it is known for certain that they won’t endanger our health or the environment (Wildaysky, 1988).