National Backpack Registry

Bob Scott said:

Pass a law that requires everyone to use common sense. :-k Damn! To many idiots in the world that have no clue how to do that and have no ability/desire to learn. We can teach the ignorant but we can't fix stupid!

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It certainly seems that way doesn't it?

From time to time I think about that saying (can't fix stupid) or the perspective that common sense is virtually absent within certain groups of individuals. This forum for example, offers me a glimpse into at least on some level, how people have grown accustomed to interfacing with one another on line. Based upon conversations with others offline I have come to understand that some of these attitudes and interactions prevail in the states where so many are much more closely confined living in relatively disharmonious ways.

When I am working I live in the city and am imbedded in the corporate structure day in and day out. I've done this a long time, at times having upwards of 50 people reporting to me. Despite being a straightforward individual I've had to learn how to bury what I think or feel about something at a given moment and simply do what it takes to get the job done while keeping in mind policies, procedure, LLA, PSP, etc. In this environment I have learned to accommodate others, find creative solutions with few resources or representation, etc. Servant leadership is a concept I embrace and yet, the sense of entitlement from those I serve in an environment such as this is sometimes difficult to navigate through. Not to forget that the time invested to address issues where common sense should have prevailed can be staggering.

Conversely, on my off time I go someplace else and embrace a different way of life for myself. This is one that essentially suits my principles and value system better. That environment is comprised of a small, but spread out community, many of the property owners are older and live full time in this remote location. They rely on the collaborative efforts of others for earning jobs, trading resources, garnering assistance on large tasks, loaning or borrowing essential supplies, securing transportation, etc.

The Golden Rule prevails out there. Understandably it serves people well in that environment to work together and that includes thinking and operating as a community rather than the individual. Being raised in a farming community, it seems this is the only way I know. It resonates better with me if nothing else.

I don't know if all this ultimately comes down to stupid vs common sense. "Stupid" actions generally are egocentric in origin whereas common sense appears to be derived from a sense of purpose that starts with a solid foundation. I recently read a good definition of common sense which was: "the basic level of practical knowledge and judgment that we all need to help us live in a reasonable and safe way".

I guess that's all I have to say about that.

re: Nicole's last post.....

i liked it ... a little on the heavy side, but i like it more than legislating common sense

for me, common sense seems more "genetic", but is built up by a wide variety of environmental exposures when young

i differ a bit on the egocentric aspect ... to me as soon as ego is mentioned i get a connotation of someone who has learned a LOT and then taken the next step by thinking ONLY what they have learned is relevant

i work a lot with mentally disabled students ... i NEVER see "egos" emerge in the way they interact with people ... but all the egomaniacs i know have lots of education behind them

we are social creatures but we will always have a need to keep our private side. watch people alone outside in public and watch how their body language changes the instant another human interacts with them

i think online relationships are totally artificial but that is probably based heavily on my general lack of interest in "social media"
- probably a game changer in terms of human social evolution, but i will wait it out and let the next generations analyze and quantify the impact ... to me it's just a fast, convenient and cheaper way to communicate basic info