The woman suffers all day long, worried that someone will occupy the apartment she bought with her life savings. Not a day goes by that she doesn't turn on the television and see images of vandalized properties, terrible violations of private property rights. These scare tactics dominate the morning news. The woman, of course, doesn't see the perversion of a system that speculates on housing, dominated by large landlords and vulture funds that make access to decent housing impossible, and that uses her as a pawn to impose a general climate in which evictions are not only acceptable but absolutely necessary. It doesn't matter if the "evictions" are of families, of children. Property is more sacred than compassion for the homeless, and lumping them together with opportunists and freeloaders makes their dehumanization easier. So, the fear of the woman is, in reality, a fear of poverty, of those who have nothing. If they have nothing, they have nothing to lose and, therefore, can risk much more than someone who has something.

Or perhaps the more appropriate question would be: what are you afraid of? Because there are few emotions like the fear of being so equal and so clearly reminded of our true human measure. From the fear of the dark, of monsters, or of separation from your mother, to pain, loneliness, or the death of those you love and who know who you truly are. Fears visit us throughout life like ghosts that take the most varied forms of loss. Violence, losing your home or job, or dignity; outliving a child or a loved one. All of this upsets us in a way that squeezes our hearts hard, almost physically.

Assassination attempt on Trump. New Israeli bombing of Gaza. Russian drones fly over Poland. Fear. Vox says jobs are out of control. Sánchez calls for a vote to prevent the far right from taking power. Ayuso maintains that migrant minors are becoming more aggressive every day. Fear, fear, fear. The CPI has risen 26% in 10 years. Rent in Barcelona is now, on average, more than 1,100 euros. Fear. And the list could be almost endless.

Fear is a universal, deep, and essential emotion directly linked to survival. At some point, we've all heard a pressure in our chest, a sudden muscle tension, a shiver on our skin, or a racing heartbeat that heralds imminent danger. But what exactly is fear? Why is it so necessary for us, and how do we manage it? And what does it reveal about us, as a species and as individuals?

Antoni Muntadas' project On Translation: Fear It confronts us with what the artist calls "invisible mechanisms." It highlights how these mechanisms serve to politically exploit the media and how those in power use them to control citizens around a specific ideology or discourse.

It's the night, the darkness... That's responsible for their fear. Not seeing clearly, among other things, sets off an inner alarm. Then, distrust, discomfort, and a feeling of helplessness increase; and anguish and fear appear, even making them imagine a monster is coming. However, the day is simply ending, and everything that's enigmatic about the darkness is calm and warm. It's enough to show these qualities to the child or young person (and be with them) for them to savor them. Summer can be a great time: the cool night air invites you to go outside as the day fades. Besides, these are ideal months for stargazing and doing all kinds of outdoor activities, not to mention summer camps and summer retreats, where nighttime games are—for those who have already grown out of them—true fun.

Fears—of loud noises, separation from parents, strangers, animals, darkness, being alone, imaginary beings, self-harm, death, thieves, natural phenomena, academic failure, social rejection—commonly emerge throughout childhood. "Some develop in a normal way, appearing and disappearing as the child grows and matures," says Maria Taló, a child and adolescent psychologist at the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona. She also reminds us that having fears during childhood and adolescence is completely normal and should not cause concern.