Why am I thinking about Monty Python’s Big Red Book?
Anyway – on to today. I got a freezer delivered today. I decided to read the instructions to see how long I had to leave it before switching on. It was nice to read “Children aged from 3 to 8 years are allowed to load and unload…” but “Children should be supervised…” So people need to be told how they should parent their children by a freezer manufacturer? Hmm – sounds strange.
The instructions were packed inside the freezer, and included instructions on how to unpack. That doesn’t fill me with confidence in their ability to get instructions right. And then as I read on I come across “Do not store explosive substances…”
Hang on – I really don’t need to be told not to store explosives in a freezer in my garage.
But this does seem to be typical of the instructions we are given. Companies need to tell us that plugging ourselves in to mains electricity can be harmful. Obviously they would be liable if they fail to do that.
I wonder about the validity of our laws. Should we really be making laws that are contrary to natural law? By doing this are we dooming our species to extinction?
Looking at the behaviour on the beaches this week can make you wonder. We need to help people develop judgement.
This was one of the reasons I enjoyed hiking in Greenland. I used it to improve my judgement. There were dangerous areas and detours, and trying to get a balance made the day easier.
I remember visiting the Grand Canyon and seeing people doing things I thought were dumb. I started to wonder about my judgement – was I being over cautious. Then I bought a book called “Death in the Grand Canyon” detailing all of the deaths in the canyon – and I realized my judgement was actually quite balanced.
I will not be going to the beach quite yet.