It was a small, simple news story. It should have been taken as fun news. But instead it filled me with dread.
Six Flags Great Adventure had announced it will soon be reopening El Toro, their flagship wooden roller coaster. It was 10 months ago that over a dozen people were injured on the ride after the cars they were riding in jolted on the track. Apparently, it had to do with structural failure with support beams. The investigation is still open. No opening date has yet been set for El Toro.
I don’t like roller coasters. In fact, I hate them. The embarrassing truth is, I fear them. It’s irrational. I don’t know why.
I’m not afraid of heights. I can stand at the ledge of any building or the Grand Canyon, no issue. I’m not afraid of speed. I once drove at 147 mph. I’m not afraid of twists and turns. I once did a ride along on a jet fighter with the Navy acrobatic flying team the Blue Angels. In fact, I’ve even done a skydive. Loved it.
So why am I afraid of roller coasters? No clue. Like I said, I know it’s irrational. That’s what makes it a phobia.
Now I don’t know of other people who share mine. There must be some. But I found this interesting list of what’s supposed to be the number one phobia by state. Why would fears vary from state to state? Hell, I don’t know, why did someone I know of become absolutely petrified at the sight of a ketchup packet? True story.
But yourlocalsecurity.com did a study of the top fear in every stare by using a search of nearly 40 “fear of” terms combined with Google trends data. The results are interesting.
Here’s the list of states and each one’s top fear. When you get to New Jersey’s see if it surprises you.
Alabama
Fear of Public Speaking
Alaska
Fear of Needles
Arizona
Fear of Holes
Arkansas
Fear of People
California
Fear of Failure
Colorado
Fear of Holes
Connecticut
Fear of Holes
Delaware
Fear of Holes
District of Columbia
Fear of Commitment
Florida
Fear of Snakes
Georgia
Fear of Snakes
Hawaii
Fear of Heights
Idaho
Fear of Needles
Illinois
Fear of Public Speaking
Indiana
Fear of Spiders
Iowa
Fear of Clowns
Kansas
Fear of Holes
Kentucky
Fear of Holes
Louisiana
Fear of Public Speaking
Maine
Fear of The Dark
Maryland
Fear of Spiders
Massachusetts
Fear of Failure
Michigan
Fear of Holes
Minnesota
Fear of Water
Mississippi
Fear of People
Missouri
Fear of Spiders
Montana
Fear of Flying
Nebraska
Fear of Holes
Nevada
Fear of Heights
New Hampshire
Fear of Flying
New Jersey
Fear of Public Speaking
New Mexico
Fear of Holes
New York
Fear of Public Speaking
North Carolina
Fear of water
North Dakota
Fear of Needles
Ohio
Fear of Blood
Oklahoma
Fear of Water
Oregon
Fear of Water
Pennsylvania
Fear of Failure
Rhode Island
Fear of Holes
South Carolina
Fear of Holes
South Dakota
Fear of Needles
Tennessee
Fear of Being Alone
Texas
Fear of Snakes
Utah
Fear of Clowns
Vermont
Fear of Needles
Virginia
Fear of Blood
Washington
Fear of Spiders
West Virginia
Fear of Clowns
Wisconsin
Fear of Water
Wyoming
Fear of Flying
Does this sound right for New Jersey? Fear of public speaking? Aren’t we more outspoken than anyone? Isn’t it nearly impossible to shut us up? But that’s what the data showed.
I don’t know. Crunch a different set of numbers you’ll get a different answer. Example. Last year according to this article by Kylie Moore different stats showed New Jersey’s biggest fear was long words. I guess you could combine the two phobias and have to publicly speak really long words and have a total mental breakdown.
New Jersey’s Most Terrifying Serial Killers
New Jersey Nightmares – Notorious Serial Killers
What would happen to NJ if we were attacked by nuclear weapons?
The models show what would happen in aerial detonation, meaning the bomb would be set off in the sky, causing considerable damage to structures and people below; or what would happen in a ground detonation, which would have the alarming result of nuclear fallout. The models do not take into account the number of casualties that would result from fallout.
LOOK: 31 breathtaking images from NASA’s public library
Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Jeff Deminski only.
You can now listen to Deminski & Doyle — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite afternoon radio show any day of the week. Download the Deminski & Doyle show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now.
Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.