“Safety First” is one of those common cliche’s that run rampant in our ever-careful culture. We are so inundated with safety rhetoric that we probably don’t actually notice how bizarre it has actually become. So, here’s what was mulling around in my head while I was cleaning my house today… When did it become necessary to warn adult human beings (with perfectly good brains capable of common sense) of inherent dangers that are PERFECTLY OBVIOUS? For instance, would it be terribly shocking were you to find out that:
- Hot things are hot!!! (and they might burn you!!)… and yet, on every hot beverage container you are sure to find a warning…
- Wet things are slippery!! (This one is particularly interesting because “wet floor” signs used to say “WET FLOOR” and now are sure to say “WET FLOOR – SLIPPERY WHEN WET”… apparently a big yellow sign indicating wetness was not clear enough to the population… a more clear indication of danger was in order?!
- Wild animals might bite or otherwise maim you!! I’m not sure when it became necessary to warn people not to feed bears in national parks, but REALLY?! It’s a BEAR people!! Sharing your snack is not advised…
- Similar to wet things, ICE is slippery! Next time you are near a local outdoor rink, look for the sign, “CAUTION, ICE IS SLIPPERY”… again… SHOCKING!!
I could go on… but you get the point.
So, here’s the tie-in…
Lee got a little book in his Christmas stocking called “The Darwin Awards.” Santa figured that it would be right up Lee’s alley as he is often very fond of saying, “‘Stupid’ SHOULD hurt… that person had it coming” to which I will roll my eyes at what I perceive is another classic red-necked moment. However, after reading some of the stories in this little book (a fun little ditty if you ever have the chance to peruse it… I do think that there may be some merit in this line of thinking. It seems to me that perhaps our safety-first culture has bred the common sense right out of humanity. So maybe Lee is right… stupid should hurt… maybe people must have the opportunity to burn their tongues, fall on their derrieres, and experience an adrenaline rush brought on by a marauding bear just to get the point… YOU DO HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN WELL BEING AND SAFETY!!!
Mother's A Musing 