If you vote for an official who feels this way...

Somewhere in the past of my youth I took College Sociology where I read a theory that proposed the idea that the preliminary advent of a socialist government was over-population.

As population increases more and more rights of the people need to be dealt with. Also, as the population shifts to cities and service oriented occupations socialism is the natural outcome.

I guess we should add the loss of "common sense" as well.

Not that I agree we should evolve into a socialist government where we are guided and regulated day by day/hour by hour by Uncle.

It seems with an increase of population common sense diminishes and we don't notice it until we have lost a great deal of freedom (for our own protection we are told).

IMO, the real problem is how to deal with the preservation of common sense.

Like PAY ATTENTION to what you are doing and the danger thereof.

HankD

 

Good point, and it seems that "common sense" is anything but these days.

In part, we should understand that underlying philosophies have had their impact on the way we see even things like common sense. For instance, Jean-Jacques Rousseau (circa AD 1700s) introduced to the world the "cult of personality."

For about 2 centuries, this philosophy was mostly only apprehended by kings and their courts (those with the free time and ability to accomplish a lifestyle akin to that promulgated by Rousseau) but over time, his teaching entered academia and has become entrenched into the worldview of the typical American citizen.

This philosophy has been pressed forward even more by social media, youtube, etc., all of which make it very easy to have a moment of fame -- but typically for doing something that wins Darwin Awards instead of exemplifying good "common sense."

What was once "common" because it was, in large part required for day-to-day survival, is now anything but common. People no longer know how to produce their own food, build or repair everyday things, procure safe water, etc., but instead, they can navigate the web, play video games that create virtual life instead of real life, and think about life and the world in ways that would have been alien to almost anyone alive before 1980.

 

Right, even down to the mundane basics.

At my most recent contractor project for one of the local government agencies, I found a large sign in the bathroom concerning - Why and the instructions For - the washing of hands after the use of the restroom.

HankD

 

That's why we have 20 page operational manuals for can openers these days... They might be fun to play with in the bathtub, but once they're plugged in, they can open more than cans... :laugh:

 

Hmm, just curious, where is the line drawn Salty?

What is the difference in talking on a cell phone while walking and talking to a companion at your side while walking? Should that be illegal?

Why or why not.

Thanks
HankD