Final answer:
People fear the unknown because it represents potential threats or challenges that bring discomfort or anxiety. Stories, such as 'They're Made Out of Meat,' illustrate this fear through characters' reactions to things that are outside their realm of understanding, much like real-world situations involving unfamiliar foods or concepts.
Step-by-step explanation:
People often fear the unknown because it represents potential threats or challenges for which they may feel unprepared. In literature, stories demonstrate this fear by presenting unfamiliar situations or entities that provoke anxiety or discomfort. The narrative "They're Made Out of Meat" addresses these fears by having characters confront something completely outside their understanding—beings made of flesh. In the story, the characters express disbelief and repulsion, which reflects a common human reaction when confronted with the unknown. This reaction can be seen in various contexts, such as a hesitation to try foreign cuisines seen as unpalatable, the terror evoked by depictions of Hell, questions surrounding the safety of genetically modified foods, and the uneasiness with myths and stories that challenge established beliefs. From historical to fictional examples, the fear of the unknown can act as a barrier to knowledge, understanding, and acceptance, leaving people clinging to the familiar to maintain a sense of order and control in their lives.