Capitol Hill Blue Forums Thread Like Summary - How did Common Sense Die?

Was it neglect? Murder? Suicide? Or was it all an illusion to begin with?

Maslow created a conception to describe human behavior he called the "hierarchy of needs". Above the most basic level of survival, was safety, then love/belonging and then, more esoterically, esteem. It's a useful rubric in understanding behavior and follows what is normally described as "common sense".

In recent days, however, Maslow's hierarchy has been inverted. Logically, common sense would dictate that one would take steps, for example, to survive a plague, one of those basic need, but instead people are protesting "common sense" measures like masks, vaccines and social distancing in favor of esteem or more esoteric issues. Other than "crazy", I don't know how to describe these people. Is this an indication that common sense is dead, or on vacation, or what?

In the near complete absence of data or context, my opinion is, “Yes.”

One comment relative to modern usage of the term as an argumentative proof is that claiming the turf of common sense is self negating. The reason being that if there is an argument being had about a subject, the sense is, by definition, not common. This might fit the illusion category.

I do think electronic communication has enhanced the untempered frequency and degree of the appearance of uncommon sense, so there’s that. Could be an example of neglect.

And the viral opportunity to spread uncommon sense is extraordinary. Perhaps that fits suicide.

And, there is an industry specializing in the trade of uncommon sense as an intentional endeavor. That would be murder.

I would add that the speed and complexity of life adds to it. There is so much complexity in everything. I have no idea what my phone contract says. There are more cycles on my washer than I can ever use. I don’t use half the buttons on my remote control. The manual for my car, which is the size of a trade paperback (maybe larger) has a page and a half of directions and two small, nonsensical tables — to explain the freakin’ headlight controls.

Those are simple, minor frustrations but we deal with them, and others, every day - and small frustrations build up, unnoticed. But they eat time and brain cells.

Who has time to put in the time and/or effort to identify an issue we’re supposed to care about, figure out who has the best information? And then actually think about it? Especially if it doesn’t directly affect our lives. Let somebody else think about, and we’ll just adopt whatever sounds good.

I guess they used to call it information overload. It takes up an awful ot of time, energy, and brain cells.

Sorry. /rant

I suspect that ‘common sense’ has always been less widespread than common delusion. Note that it is generally delusional in itself!

You are welcome. Their usual crew on TWIV panel discussions are all pretty nice folks and quite approachable. I have corresponded by email with some of them, and even had my comments read on air during their email response interval after their paper review session ends. They all give their email or instagram addresses, individual websites, and mail addresses. Collectively, they have amazing breadth of current scientific knowledge.

They also have podcasts where Vincent and Amy do nothing but answer questions, and do Public Service Announcements for live town hall meetings on line where you can talk to a virologist. Some of those are in Spanish!