Common Sense: The View from Across The Pond

We keep on looking at people and laughing at what they do stating ‘Have they no common sense?’ The truth is that common sense isn’t that common and it is becoming less so as time goes on.

You see common sense isn’t something we all have like a reflex that kicks in when it is needed. It is a way of thinking that is learnt. You learn as you go through life and the more experience you gain the more you can extrapolate and work out what is going on before you do something stupid. That is all common sense is, looking at a situation and working out what can go wrong, then not doing it.

A good example is if you don’t handle guns then all you see is what happens in the movies. Guns are deadly, have 200 rounds of ammunition and kill when they hit their target, missing bullets just disappear. When used in Russian Roulette you have a one in six chance of being shot. Wait, what about semi automatics? They never get a mention. To load a semi automatic means that the first shot is real. Common sense we all say but not if you are scared to touch them and know nothing about them. Always make sure you use a Glock and let the other guy go first. One bullet only. Most of us don’t know how to handle guns but every kid and burglar does unless they are locked away.

In this H&S conscious world we live in we are all protected from learning by mistakes. We get shown a few films where all the risks are practically insignificant so that we shrug and think they are not worth bothering about. We hear about how people are falling like flies because a neighbour three doors down smokes at the weekend. People are now starting to get over their fear and manipulation and see through the words of the rightous. Still scared to call them out but we are now starting to ignore the hysteria and this also means the real warning signs. Some signs are there for a reason. But now, the state has keep their sheep in cotton wool so long that nothing happens to them. Warning signs are just part of the furniture now. We do not feel fear from signs but we do when someone is telling us we should over things that are insignificant.

So when you look at someone and think ‘No common sense’ then remember they are simply educated by the state to have no common sense. The state does not want thinkers and anyone who does not follow the rules deserves what they get. This lack of education is something not restricted to the sheeple. We all do things that show we have not thought out the implications because we are ignorant of how things work. Every one of us has made basic mistakes based on our ignorance and there is no shame in it. Where the ignorance comes from is when you point it out they ignore facts and still make stupid assumption. Taking the initial learning steps is an epiphany to every one. Those that then reconsider and reject their new found experiences and knowledge are the stupid ones.

So when we are feeling all smug looking at others with no common sense we should remember that in some areas we are a bit short of that rare product. We should also consider that in our threads and posts when we talk about something and then finish off with a quick ‘Process as normal’. What exactly does that mean? Can we explain in more detail. Not all of us are experts or have any experience whatsoever in these areas.

Making assumptions is deadly. And we all know the saying ‘Never assume as it makes an ASS out of U and ME. Use your common sense and explain what it all means. By the time they find out that ‘Process as normal’ is complicated it may be too late and they won’t be in the position to learn.

The more we learn the more we can work out but we will never be in the position of knowing everything. We require those that know each subject to make sure we learn the mistakes from words rather than find them out the hard way. We need to help each other and maybe, just maybe, whilst we are doing that we will open someones eyes up to the real world. It could be the epiphany that takes them over the edge. You never know that could be your future friend. Surely that is worth a few minutes of your time.

So remember that ‘Common Sense isn’t that common’ and it isn’t their fault they think that way. We need to educate who we can when we can.