Common Sense – A Rating System
We’ve all wondered at some point where someone’s common sense went. Is this a unique learned ability that many seem to not quite understand? Is this something a rare few are born with? Or is it something that needs to be constantly beaten into one’s skull? To my knowledge, no one knows the answer to these questions. Whereas you can prove intelligence through a series of IQ tests, supposedly at least, the only test for common sense is life. Every now and again, people will get lucky and pass one of the random common sense tests.
So how do you use to define common sense? As someone told me recently, common sense is the knowledge that what you are about to do is stupid and rationally deciding whether or not to continue. Lack thereof would be wondering why the red, heat emitting stove eye burnt your hand. Now don’t misunderstand. Common sense comes and goes for most people. However, a lucky few seem to be granted far more than others. There are high, medium, low, and non-existent categories. The next time you see something rather special occur, use these categories as your rating system. And yes, you can usually judge after one or two events.
High. You have your moments, but they are few and far between. A typical problem for you is the belief you are invincible. Trust me, fate will remind you otherwise. Common sense tells you not to walk down the steep bank after a rainstorm, but it is so much easier than walking around. Result, muddy hands, legs, butt, or whatever part of you you happen to land on. It happens to everyone. However, you learn and will usually not do it again.
Medium. This category encompasses about one-third of the population. Half the time you stay out of foolish situations and have fairly good reasoning skills, but it’s the other half that kills you. Common sense seems to literally fly out the window. Maybe you’re on an adrenaline high and forget to think. No one really knows. Sadly, when the common sense takes a vacation, you are as bad as those with little or no common sense.
Low. Use your own numbers to specify this portion of the population. We have all seen these people. However, these people can be the worst. They have just enough common sense left to believe they know what they are doing. They are dangerous, but humorous. Surfing down the stairs repeatedly may or may not result in a broken leg. This group will be the first to volunteer and be completely confused as to why they are now wearing a cast. They will believe they can educate others on their recent activities.
Finally, non-existent. These are the people will all love. These can also be the ones that make us want to bang our heads against the wall. Common sense is just a legend for them. They see fun in everything no matter how insane. They are innocent and naïve, but for that we love them. They make life interesting for the rest of us. This is also how most of us learn our own common sense.
Have fun rating your friends, family, and perfect strangers. Don’t forget yourself. If you ever figure out the mystery behind common sense, please let me know. So what am I? I’ll let the people around me judge.
