QI | What Are You Frightened Of?

18 December: On this day in 1778, the clown Joseph Grimaldi was born.
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This clip is from QI Series C, Episode 11, 'Carnival' with Stephen Fry, Alan Davies, Clive Anderson, Jo Brand and Phill Jupitus.

[@MrTheGadfly]

I love it when Jo takes the time to point out how smart she actually is

[@notdaveschannel9843]

Fear of sharks can be rational or irrational. If you live in Australia and go surfing every day it's rational. If you live in Kazakhstan or Nebraska and you're checking your rear view mirror for dorsal fins every 30 seconds, not so much.

[@BagelBoi4000]

@@AllahDoesNotExist Thats called racism, unless you're gay or something. Then it could be rational.

[@AllahDoesNotExist]

@@BagelBoi4000 Or if you are ex-muslim and you know what Islam carries the death penalty for apostates.

[@WolfbloodJakeWilliams]

There's a difference between fear and weariness. If you feared sharks at all you wouldn't go surfing, but if you do you should still keep your eyes open. Irrationality is being afraid of something that isn't a real danger, but ignoring something that is a real danger is called 'winning a Darwin Award'

[@danwic]

If you live in the UK, there are sharks but mostly basking sharks, nothing to fear from them as they don't attack humans.

[@d.e.b.b5788]

Growing up in the fifties and sixties, clowns were funny. Then in the 70's, there started to have a run of killer clown movies, and pretty much the scary clown concept was cemented in the mind of all who were born after that. I had Bozo the clown,and the funny clowns at the circus. I think clowns are great!

[@28russ]

Yeah same.....I don't know what everyones problem with clowns is.....They're funny to me

[@brianm6337]

I tried to eat one once. He tasted kinda funny.

[@millomweb]

"Clowns USED to be...." What about current clowns ? (Yes, I can't name one !) The newest clown I know of is Mr. Blobby.

[@d.e.b.b5788]

@@millomweb I don't know any current clowns. Bozo was a TV clown, with a children's show. When we went to the circus, there was always a funny clown doing stuff. We didn't have scary clowns, and I feel kind of sad for the children of today who will miss out on that.

[@millomweb]

@@d.e.b.b5788 There is a lot of stuff 'missing' today that we had in the 70s and 80s. TV comedy was rife - but there's just the odd sit-com nowadays - and funny panel shows. No comedy sketches - Morecambe & wise, 2 Ronnies, little & Large, Benny Hill, Dick Emery, Dave Allen. I daresay there are current clowns but who knows how good they are. Laurel & Hardy were sort of clowns - other style of clowns have existed as well as the trad circus clown.

[@kylenetherwood8734]

A fear of spiders would be irrational in Britain but I think out would name sense somewhere like Australia.

[@gsbionicleboy]

nowadays being afraid of spiders is rational in the netherlands cause they already found venomous spider there cause the climat is getting milder so almost everyone in europe gets to have a fear of spiders be rational.

[@the-chillian]

The fact that a small minority of spider species has venom dangerous to humans is not a rational reason to fear all of them. Particularly when you can identify the species, know that it's not venomous, but you're afraid of it anyway.

[@Sean_Coyne]

I'm an Aussie retired science teacher. So I can tell you that most spiders here do not scare me, even the huge plate-sized huntsmen, that really are not dangerous. But if you are cutting down a tree with a chainsaw and one runs up the bar and onto your face, believe me, you drop the lot and totally shit your pants.

[@pamcandas]

The conventional wisdom is to apply a statistical risk factor to any given fear. More people are killed by vending machines than sharks, etc. Of course, half of those "wow, is that correct?!" factoids are fallacious ... : ) ... I don't mind spiders, and a "healthy respect" for spiders is why most Aussies don't get injured by all our killer critters, but if you're not afraid of bears, you're nuts ...

[@Roronoa2zoro]

I think Australia would largely agree with you given that an episode of Peppa Pig was pulled off the air in Australia for trying to teach kids that "spiders can't hurt you".

[@youremakingprogress144]

Jo Brand is an absolute treasure.

[@Cupit29]

I have a friend who is absolutely terrified of photographs of sharks. That isn't rational.

[@lewiswatkin392]

True, I don’t think Fry explained it best. If you’re scared of being in a tank full of sharks that’s rational but if you can’t look at a photo of one or go in your local swimming pool then that’s a phobia.

[@ginge641]

What about actual sharks?

[@mortenu.5606]

Did he direct Jaws 3d

[@trond-ingethingstad2265]

I have hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia. I couldn't even look at my own screen because I'm so engulfed in fear right now!

[@pamroberts9189]

Oh poor you. The meanies who made the name of your phobia!

[@branting2]

I guess i now have a phobia for that particular word. Can't even look at it on the screen without getting intense panic attacks, cuddling up in a blanket like a burrito and demanding seven large scoops of Ben & Jerry's.

[@jb888888888]

Is Stepehn trying to do an American accent at the beginning?

[@chufflangs]

He sort of melts into it hah, his American accent is actually quite good

[@willmcpherson2]

Lol I think he was having fun with that one. He is actually incredible at accents

[@matthewsawczyn6592]

I think he was trying to imitate Jack Handey

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

It was an excellent American accent; subtle and realistic.

[@holly6067]

Moths are terrifying. And a fear of spiders isn't irrational, not here in Australia

[@brianm6337]

oh, come on. Just because you occasionally catch them chewing on the front of your car...

[@rawyld]

Thunderstorms, loud noises, social occasions (I have autism and anxiety here)

[@alansmithee419]

Isn't the fear of fear itself an actual thing? I'm pretty sure it's quite disastrous for you if you have it. People don't go outside in case there's something there that scares them.

[@HarshMelon]

I'm not afraid of dying, but I am afraid of the fear associated once I know that I'm dying. For example, being on a plane that's crashing and knowing that I'm probably about to die.

[@vVox1]

Moths are the spawn of the devil. No one can convince me otherwise.

[@omarkhan5223]

They aren't.

[@rkaz9206]

@@omarkhan5223 they used to be

[@muskatDR]

Genghis moth

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

I hardly ever encounter moths. Spiders are fucking everywhere though.

[@returnosf5043]

Haven't some varieties of spider evolved to look purposefully scary to protect themselves or something like that? A fear of that sort of spider would therefore be one of the most rational fears

[@TallSilentGuy]

Evolution does not have purpose; only causes and effects.

[@Welshwarrior85]

They say that there are only two natural fears that we’re born with and that is the fear of falling and the fear of sudden loud noises. Supposedly every other fear and/or phobia is learned. I don’t know how accurate of a claim this is but I’ve heard it said many times.

[@almostfm]

That would explain why I'm not afraid of heights normally, but I"m terrified if I'm up just a few feet and might fall.. I have no fear of being in an airplane or a tall building, but I do stepping off the ladder onto the roof of my house. I'm fine once I'm up there, and I'm fine on the ladder itself, but it's the transition where I might fall a whole five feet.

[@millomweb]

Stephen said "Moths cannot possibly threaten you". No, they don't speak English, do they. But I'll tell you what, their bites can be bl**dy painful! Worse than a ladybird's bite.

[@huggleton]

I have a friend who’s scared of the square root of minus one - now that’s irrational

[@arthurteddy91]

Same, Phil. Same.

[@emilybarclay8831]

I have a phobia of fireworks, probably because my parents took me to a firework display when I was a few months old and were having a great time until they looked over at 8 month old me who was white in the face and apparently pulling a face like a Edvard Munch painting. That being said, it’s just over a week until bonfire night, pray for me

[@thomasherzog86]

every fear is partly rational and irrational. you might think sharks are dangerous, but they dont kill as much humans as bacteria now do they? yet there is bacteriophobia.

[@brianm6337]

I fear little- as the worst things I could be afraid of have already happened.

[@lys2303]

Hugs 💚

[@_adonisk]

Skiourophobia comes from the combination of Skiouros, the Greek word for squirrel and phobia which is self-explanatory.

[@markmayonnaise1163]

Thank you, I wasn't sure

[@MushiePuppet17]

Jo Brand is hilarious

[@Sean-ce1hu]

MushiePuppet17 No she isn’t.

[@nbdyhome1]

i'm actually afraid of squirrels and clowns

[@therussmeister]

I'm afraid of squirelly clowns

[@d.e.b.b5788]

Betcha grew up after 1970. The 70's were when all the killer clown movies started. Before that, clowns were just funny.

[@brianm6337]

What about squirrels in clown suits and little hats?

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

How about squirrels that can juggle?

[@itskarl7575]

Galeophobia is the irrational fear of sharks. So there.

[@Becky.Ray14]

So my fear thats irrational is of snakes. and the idea of being slowly introduced to one or tossed into a room full of them, makes me want to throw up and is making my heart pound. NO WAY

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

That's one way to come out

[@richardstokes3625]

I’m with Phil on this.

[@grease_monkey6078]

I have a fear of Failure

[@b_uppy]

Would be nice to see how the clown-phobia they mentioned is spelled.

[@MySerpentine]

Coulrophobia.

[@cotteeskid]

If only you had access to the internet?

[@b_uppy]

@@cotteeskid At the time I had little access when I wrote that. Imagine that.

[@gtcrain3687]

What do you call the fear of phobia’s?

[@witherblaze]

Phobiphobia

[@esbenjakobsen4575]

But algophobia is the fear of pain. How can that be irrational?

[@pamroberts9189]

I think it depends on the reason for your fear, if it's a rational reason or an irrational reason.

[@sayur54321]

Pain can't harm you.

[@Kiproll26]

I was gonna go with: what if you're afraid of pain in circumstances where there's no chance of it?

[@SamLNB]

well theres also a fear of being raped so you know...

[@Lucifronz]

I watched in horror as my cousin, an adult capable of avoiding disgusting insects, had a fully-grown moth pulled out of his ear. The thing somehow burrowed its way in, god only knows how. So don't tell me it's irrational to fear moths, Mr. Stephen Fry. I fucking despise the little monsters.

[@ilhamalfatihah5740]

So all that Bukkake videos is exposure therapy.

[@Dim4323]

Alan: its a good joke

[@AutomaticDuck300]

I'm scared of cycling and octopuses

[@JackDManheim]

I think you're pretty safe, mate. These days, octopuses rarely attack cyclists anymore.

[@Farmeryeti]

I'm terrified of moths. Little bastards.

[@HaydenX]

Bathkkake?

[@soul_asmr]

HaydenX underrated response

[@JoelHudson]

Phobophobia fear of fear itself.

[@cruz1ale]

That would be fear of phobias.

[@cotteeskid]

It's wonder no one mentioned Graded Desensitisation or Flooding when it came to Homophobia?

[@bobert4him]

it's my own damn fault. i DID click on it

[@BrooklynJackBlue]

...I'm not sure Jo is being ENTIRELY true...

[@AutomaticDuck300]

Comedians like to say "This is true" when actually, it's often made up or embellished for comedy reasons. Comedians aren't interested in the truth, they're interested in what's funny. Have you ever looked back at a situation and thought "It would have been funny if someone said X or if Y happened"? Comedians do that, but then they tell it to an audience as if someone really did say X or if Y really did happen. It's entertainment, at the end of the day.

[@cookieface80]

Thanotophobia is rational, that's the fear of death.

[@michaelcolbourn6719]

I'd argue that's not necessarily rational. It's an inevitability so why fear it?

[@samspencer7765]

@@michaelcolbourn6719 I suppose a healthy fear of death leads to not doing really risky things, but it becomes a phobia where it affects your life, and therefore counterintuitively you end up not really living cause you're afraid of not living :P

[@OpiZoid]

paraskevidekatriaphobia

[@vonteflon]

That sperm bath story is complete bollocks

[@snakelemon]

vonteflon I see what you did there.

[@vonteflon]

snakelemon Ha! Accidental! I just meant she's a lying twat.

[@Archangelsvoid]

Yeah kind of a dick move :P

[@LunaGem98]

she's obviously joking

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

A sperm bath would GIVE me a fear of sperm

[@CashelOConnolly]

Brand you’re lying

[@caralama08]

CAPTIONS PLEASE FGS!!!

[@Jezidka]

I wont tell my number 1 fear incase someone wants to use it on me one day. (CIA and stalker) but my second one is snakes. If the Devil himself thought it was bad, then it is.

[@danielthorsteinsson9698]

Hello this is not CIA wat is ur fear?

[@alexcavoli6191]

I have a phobia of needles. If you sneak up on me with a needle or I see one the street I go FERAL. I once almost sat on a needle in a buddies car(heroin needle) and the next thing I new my friends were pulling me off him. It was bad, Its one of the few things I feel genuinely bad about doing. I once ran and hid in st. Peters hospital for a few hours because they wanted to give me an IV for something. They were not pleased and I had to be tied down.

[@peterclarke7240]

Your friend had a heroin needle in their car and they'd left it on the seat for anyone to sit on? Not to be judgy, but that's when I'd be seriously reconsidering who I was hanging out with. I don't blame you for going berserk at all!!

[@alexcavoli6191]

@@peterclarke7240 o we were barely friends to begin with, and I have friends still who've done heroin and it's not a problem...like friendship ending problem. I'm not gonna just abandon a friend like that, but this kid was a shitty person to begin with. Heroin made him more of a liar and more of a thief so yeah this was definitely the ending of our "friendship". But I hate violence and am proud of never having to raise a fist so it's a little shameful though.

[@peterclarke7240]

@@alexcavoli6191 That's fair enough... I've had a few acquaintances like that in the past, and while I'm neither rabidly pro or anti drugs, as I think there's a lot of nuance involved, and I genuinely think there's many benefits to drugs if we can get them out of the hands of the gangsters and big pharmaceutical companies, but there has come a point in the past where I've had to walk away. Funnily enough, it's never been with friends who I know are decent people, or who have control over their behaviour, but always, as you say, with the people who were shitty to begin with.

[@TallSilentGuy]

I'm disappointed they didn't get into "phobia" in the sense of hatred such as homophobia or xenophobia.

[@EdDueim]

Hatred comes from fear.

[@Sashi_Mee]

So all those Japanese girls were just afraid of sperm all this time...

[@crispy.monkey]

I have Basophobia.