Sterile World
I keep complaining about the lack of adventures, of people locked up in their small worlds. But the problem is much broader. We live in the society that actively eliminates any adventure by layers of restrictions and safety rules. If something might theoretically hurt you if you do stupid shit – it will become illegal for you to do that. Think about that: you’re legally forbidden from doing anything that might hurt you. Somebody decides for you, how you live your life. And you accept it without question.
It might feel like we are protected, like we are cared after. But what if I tell you, that this narrative is bullsh… wrong?
If I ask you — would you let your 8yo child (even if imaginary) go and play outside without supervision, or go to a shop 10 minutes walk from home — your hand would automatically reach to the phone calling the police on me. Because you have a feeling the world is so dangerous, there are all sorts of maniacs, pedophiles and clowns with red balloons on every corner. Fun fact: your child is 2-3 times more likely to be struck by lightning, than abducted on the street.
Multiple countries attempted to build more adventurous playgrounds. Germany has put risky tall structures, and keeps upgrading more parks. Netherlands had playgrounds made of broken cars and other garbage! (seriously, look up “Skrammellegeplads” – just don’t try to say it out loud). And you know what? The injury rate is 3-4 times lower on those! Because kids are not stupid, they assess danger, they make decisions, they learn from each other. These are all the skills we are so methodically stripping from them – where else would they learn?!
You probably used to play outdoors on your own, when you were a kid. At least I did, a lot, since like 5, and it was the best time ever. You might say “the world has become so much more dangerous recently” — but it’s bullpoop again, the stats show a sharp decline in crimes against children on the streets.
So why do you think it’s so dangerous? Because of mass media. Mentions of violence make our amygdala scream “danger” and lock your full attention on it — the only thing social networks and news agencies care. But we didn’t evolve to learn from every bad thing happening around the entire bloody world! I opened The Guardian yesterday. The top articles are: children starving in Gaza, somebody got killed in London on the street, somebody poisoned a summercamp. “What a terrifying world”, I thought.
“Stolen Focus” by Johan Hari explains a lot about all these problems, if you like to dig a bit deeper. But anyway, chances are — your sense of risk is massively screwed up. And this constant fear is shaping our society.
And now look at your life. It’s a playground, consisting mostly of your work and home. Where everything is so fluffy and convenient. Let’s avoid the path through the park — someone from this city of millions got killed there once, three years ago. Another airplane crashed somewhere in India — let’s avoid them completely. It would save you a taxi trip to the airport, which is much more dangerous statistically.
But at least now you feel safe. I agree, it’s worth it. Lock yourself up at home. Your mental health is crumbling, but a handful of pills should fix it. Perhaps you would die of a stress-induced heart attack or stroke at 50, but at least you’ll die safely.
Imagine being free of this anxiety — how much simpler life would be. Go take this trip to Africa. Or jump with a parachute. Or ask your boss for a promotion (I’ve heard someone got shot for it — or at least it feels this way).
You won’t live forever. But you can waste your whole life trying.
If you ever feel like reaching out — whether you have something to share, or just want to talk — I’d be happy to hear from you, stranger. This isn’t about followers. It’s about finding kindness and similar minded people in a loud world.