This is the first of what might be an ongoing series of posts based on our experience here in the District of Columbia (that’s Washington) this Fall. Today’s post was stimulated by both some visits to public buildings and an article today by Lee Habeeb, in the National Review entitled “Risk Mismanagement.” My own experience is with security–security everywhere, around (not just in) the Capitol, around the White House, in the National Archives, the Library of Congress, all federal offices, and on and on. We even see Capitol police as far out as a block or so from our home. And if you want to go into the Capitol building you have to pass through at least two levels of security, three if you are fortunate enough to make it to the spectator Gallery.
The article I mentioned shows just how far we have taken our risk-aversion. As the author says, we are afraid to fail, pretty much at anything, and so we don’t try very much to be innovative (which involves making some mistakes along the way and learning from them). I really liked the way Habeeb summarized it: rubberized playgrounds (unheard of in my day, and some scars to prove it), scoreless soccer (we kept score in every game of every kind, even pickup), social promotion in schools, prohibition of the use of red ink on papers and exams in some schools, fewer private airplanes because of regulations and lawsuits, no umbrellas at sporting events, no anything (nearly) on airplanes, appearance recently of bulletproof school supplies (I am not sure why it would matter whether the supplies survived, but perhaps the student just holds them up as a shield against any oncoming bullets), and on and on, and, one of my favorites here, crossing “guards” for adults at many intersections. I was running in DC the other day and came to an intersection, dutifully stopped to look to see whether there was any careening traffic, then started to go. A crossing guard shouted, “Stop! Don’t go!” Well, I did have my glasses on and I did not see any traffic–because there wasn’t any. But, just in case I chose to be too bold, that crossing person was there to reduce my risk to nothing.
The reader might respond that we need to be protected from ourselves, that is, our stupid decisions. But how far do we go with this? First, do we actually think we can reduce risk to zero probability? And if we did, what would life look like? Would it be a quality life? Would we have any freedom to try and to fail and to try again? Is is possible our civilization would simply grind to a halt, as everyone just sat around, knowing that this would be safest? Of course, I am exaggerating–just a bit perhaps. But it is something to think about as legislative bodies, courts, bureaucracies, school boards, and many others with good intentions (sometimes at least) stifle our spirit.
I will have more I hope from the land of hope and change, if I am not killed by a crossing guard clotheslining me as I try to cross the street running. And yes, call me an iconoclast if you want.
Kevin L. Clauson
August 28, 2013
I’m sure you remember when you and I (and parents/grandparents of course) visited Washington, D.C. (note: the only Washington I encounter these days is Washington, or OLd Washington, Tennessee, about 5 miles from our home and once a bustling town, now maybe 100 folks) nearly 50 years ago. We walked right up to the front of the White House and waited for a tour guide to take us in (without metal detectors). The Capitol and other buildings we could just walk right into without even a wait. Given then and now, one is given to ponder (while at the same time understanding “reality”–whose I’m not sure sometime).
Jennifer Clauson
August 28, 2013
I know he remembers. He’s told that story at least 5 times since we’ve gotten here. Your identical “twinness” is showing.
Mitchell J Adams
August 30, 2013
Looking for Microcosms in DC
This story, unfortunately, reminds me of my grandmother. She is a wonderful
grandmother, but lives in fear. One story about her constant worry will prove
my point. During the summer of my eighth grade year of school we had a
tremendous heat wave. Luckily for me, the year before my parents put in an
above ground pool. On one of these blistering days a few buddies of mine and
I went swimming. It was great. After a few hours we decided to go in the house
for a snack. When we got in the kitchen, my dad was hanging up the phone
and laughing. When we asked what was so funny, he told us he just hung up
the phone after speaking with grandma. He said she asked what I was up to.
My dad told her that I was out swimming with some of my friends. She said,
and I quote, “isn’t it too hot to be swimming?” My dad replied, “I think that’s
why God invented swimming!” We should all, specially grandma, live by 2
Timothy 1:7 which states: For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,
but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Stephen Crawley
September 8, 2013
In a few cases, the increased security (both at the white house and why we all lock our doors at night nowadays) is because of a decline in morality. In most cases however, its because people use any possible incident for personal benefit and blow them out of proportion with massive lawsuits. If that crossing guard hadn’t been there and you did not pay attention and walked in front of a car, you (if you were not the fine upstanding citizen you are) might try to make a couple million dollars (and pay off your hospital bill while you’re at it) by suing the city of Washington D.C. for not making the crosswalk safer.
Its not so much the individual aversion to risk (although there are people out there who try to be far too safe) as much as it is the result of other behaviours that are causing this safety freezup.