Posted by mmeron on 07/27/06 23:08

In article <slrnechqfk.e3d.edwards@trurl.bsd.uchicago.edu>, Edwards <edwards@nouce.trurl.bsd.uchicago.edu> writes:
>On 2006-07-26, mmeron@cars3.uchicago.edu <mmeron@cars3.uchicago.edu> wrote:
>> In article <270720060012457958%phineaspuddleduck@googlemail.com_NOSPAM>, Phineas T Puddleduck <phineaspuddleduck@googlemail.com_NOSPAM> writes:
>>>In article <1153955390.634129.63700@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com>,
>>>RichA <rander3127@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> It was a fascinating story and it highlighted a graphic problem that is
>>>> stifling creativity
>>>> in the U.S. today; The pathological fear of risk, when it comes to
>>>> anything. Ads urge mommies to carry frigging gelled alcohol to
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>>> constantly wipe their kids hands, chemistry sets contain nothing
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>>> remotely interesting anymore because of "safety concerns."
>>>> They are turning adults and children into a nation of SISSIES afraid to
>>>> take any kind
>>>> risk that would assist them in learning or just developing as a human
>>>> and not a robot.
>>>
>>>Its not just a US problem. In the UK the same holds. I remember (in the
>>>70's) having chemistry sets with magnesium, and crystal growing kits.
>>>
>> This appears to be a general problem of the western civilization.
>> Safety became the new religion and it is pursued with the kind of zeal
>> typical of new religions.
>
>But it's not even "real" safety, just a (often badly misguided)
>_sense_ of safety.

Of course, that's what rituals in general are about.

> I mean, "Kills 99.99% of bacteria." Great, so
>tomorrow you'll have the same amount of bacteria on your kitchen
>counter (it'll reproduce as much as the environment will allow,
>right?)

Sure.

> and it will _all_ be descended from that .01% that was too
>nasty to be killed by your little wipe.
>
Yes, exactly.

Mati Meron | "When you argue with a fool,
meron@cars.uchicago.edu | chances are he is doing just the same"

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