Nanny state shenanigans.

[meus-ovatio.livejournal.com]

The problem with our public safety mindset is that we keep reiterating the rarity of the perceived dangers. For instance, at a zoo where they have signs like, "A DINGO WILL EAT YOUR BABY! STAY BACK!" The idiot-masses just think, "Oh that only happens one in a million times. We'll be ok..." And so they put their kid over the fence and their baby gets eaten.

Instead, we should put up safety signs that emphasize your imminent doom by taunting. Instead of "STAY BACK! YOU WILL DIE!" They should say: "Go ahead, come on, I DARE YOU." This makes the possible danger incredibly more threatening, more viable and elicits inherently defensive reactions.

Poisoned rivers should not have signs that say, "NO SWIMMING." Rather, they should say, "HELL IF WE CARE, ENJOY THE CONVULSING DEATH SYNDROME!" And so on. Being too imperious and direct simply provokes people's "That'll never happen" reflex, and as we all know, lots of people have the "That'll never happen" reflex. It's time we start communicating with the idiot masses like idiots.

Comments

[xforge.livejournal.com]

You can make it completely generic by making signs that say IF SOMEONE DIES OR GETS HURT IT'S YOUR FAULT NOT OURS.

[mijopo.livejournal.com]

Interesting, describe a problem that doesn't exist and then propose a solution that is absurd. Do you work as some sort of bureaucrat?

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

I think it's got more to do with people always wanting to do the exact opposite of what they're being told.

[reflaxion.livejournal.com]

I rather prefer a system where the people too stupid to listen to sound advice fish themselves out of the gene pool. I'm not so sure that's actually happening, but if it is, I'm okay with it.

[debergerac.livejournal.com]

but as dingo -did- eat my baby!

[the-rukh.livejournal.com]

Is there a super seekrit underlying point or should I just enjoy the surface value?

[devil-ad-vocate.livejournal.com]

Your post brought to mind the 'atomic priesthood' scenario:

http://www.slate.com/id/2235504/pagenum/all/#p2

[majortom-thecat.livejournal.com]

I think the signs that say exactly what would happen are more effective. If it says "DANGER KEEP OUT" and it doesn't say why, I might just go in because I can't control my curiosity.

[paronamasia.livejournal.com]

Personally, I think we're on our way to



and



and I can only hope to have passed away before it gets here.

[eracerhead.livejournal.com]

Safety is highly overrated.

People don't take safety signs seriously because there are so many dumb ones. For example on my lawnmower "Caution, the blade turns when the engine is running."

[sjcarpediem.livejournal.com]

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