NJ's most common fear (it's NOT property taxes)

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.

Roller Coaster in Santa Cruz California

Ingram Publishing

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.

Scared six year old girl with hands covering mouth.

Ingram Publishing

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.

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?

We used NUKEMAP by Alex Wellerstein to see what would happen if a nuclear warhead hit New York, Philadelphia, Washington or New Jersey.

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

In 2017, NASA opened the digital doors to its image and video library website, allowing the public to access more than 140,000 images, videos, and audio files. The collection provides unprecedented views of space. Stacker reviewed the collection to select 31 of the most breathtaking images, including the first from the James Webb Space Telescope. Keep reading to see these stunning images, curated with further information about the captured scenes.

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.

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NJ’s most common fear (it’s NOT property taxes)

New Jersey’s Most Terrifying Serial Killers

What would happen to NJ if we were attacked by nuclear weapons?

LOOK: 31 breathtaking images from NASA’s public library

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New Jersey’s Most Terrifying Serial Killers

What would happen to NJ if we were attacked by nuclear weapons?

LOOK: 31 breathtaking images from NASA’s public library

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