In Michael Crichton's "Eaters of the Dead," the author delves into the concept of fear as a unique, personal experience. Each individual possesses distinct fears, such as claustrophobia or aquaphobia, which may seem irrational to others. This subjectivity surrounding fears leads people to mock those with different anxieties, highlighting how fear is not an objective truth but rather a personal preference.

This argument equates fear to other preferences, such as tastes in food or attraction to partners. Just as one might prefer mutton over pig or have a preference for certain types of women, fears are equally personal and vary widely among individuals. Crichton’s perspective invites readers to recognize the validity of each person's fears while emphasizing that these feelings should not be dismissed or ridiculed.