Would Like Some Opinions....
 

from this astute group...Answer this question please: Can common sense be 'taught' or are you 'born with it' and thus you either have it or you don't?...Look forward to your replies....Rooster

I wasn't born with it
 

Hi,

I wasn't born with common sense, and no one was able to teach it to me due to my stubbornness.

I believe I aquired it while remaking myself into a person capable of succeeding.

Hope this was helpful,

- Boyd

Re: Would Like Some Opinions....
 

Well, my 84-year-old mother tells me she tried to beat it into me.. Don't know how well it took though! :)

So, it seems that I wasn't born with it. I too had to aquire it along the way. Funny thing, the older I get, the more I seem to have! (Noticed my mom's a lot smarter now, too!)

Pete

> from this astute group...Answer this
> question please: Can common sense be
> 'taught' or are you 'born with it' and thus
> you either have it or you don't?...Look
> forward to your replies....Rooster




Can you handle the truth??

Re: Would Like Some Opinions....
 

> from this astute group...Answer this
> question please: Can common sense be
> 'taught' or are you 'born with it' and thus
> you either have it or you don't?...Look
> forward to your replies....Rooster

Well Rooster, I'll have to say you know how to create an interesting thread. I think growing up on a farm certainly helped develop common sense, just because of all the basic "have to figure it out for yourself" problems & projects that are involved when you deal with equipment, livestock, crops, bugs, weather,etc. When dealing with "real" world things like that, it seems I might have a fair amount of CS. Other times I wonder if I have any, like when my son is trying to explain some deep computer thing or when I'm trying to sort thru all the marketing hype on the web to find a good biz op. Bottom line (just my opinion) life experiences can "teach" it if you let them sink in. Some folks learn from their mistakes, some never do. I don't think it's something one person can "teach" another really, but I do try and teach my son to be sensible and he is. Must be the student, 'cause I'm pretty sure it's not the teacher. 'Nuff said. I sure enjoy the wisdom from folks on some of these boards. Thanks Rooster and everyone, Dave

Re: Would Like Some Opinions....
 

My opinion?

It can't be taught, only learned, and most of us aren't too crash hot at that:-)

Just my 2c worth.

Cheers
Philip

> from this astute group...Answer this
> question please: Can common sense be
> 'taught' or are you 'born with it' and thus
> you either have it or you don't?...Look
> forward to your replies....Rooster

Re: Would Like Some Opinions....
 

Hi Rooster,

I am number 4 of 8 boys, so I don’t think I was… “born with it”.

And, I can remember visiting the wood shed for a common sense lesson or two, so perhaps it can be…”taught.”

However, I have heard the old saying “He’s full of book learning, but doesn’t have any common sense.”

Good question. (look forward to reading your final results and conclusion).

My best to you,

Raymond

-------------------------------------------

> from this astute group...Answer this
> question please: Can common sense be
> 'taught' or are you 'born with it' and thus
> you either have it or you don't?...Look
> forward to your replies....Rooster

Re: Would Like Some Opinions....
 

Common sense is not so common-
Voltaire,Philosophical dictionary

The art of being wise is the art of
knowing what to overlook-
William James, The Principles of Psychology

I'd have to say that...
 

> from this astute group...Answer this
> question please: Can common sense be
> 'taught' or are you 'born with it' and thus
> you either have it or you don't?...Look
> forward to your replies....Rooster

Hi Rooster,

I'd have to go with those who say that "common sense is learned along the way"....

Like Boyd, in my case, I have a stubborn streak. So sometimes "common sense" often seems to only come after a few bruises!

Thanks for a great question Rooster!

- Dien

Un-Common Sense
 

>Can common sense be 'taught' or are you 'born
>with it' and thus you either have it or you don't?...

I'm not sure what we are 'born with'...
or 'without'...

Some say we inherit capabilities to do or to be...
'He's got his dad's brains' or 'She inherited her
mother's looks'.

It's obvious when someone looks like someone else
on the outside...but 'looking on the inside'
is a little more difficult.

If someone is born to parents who are perfect
genetic specimens (is there such a thing?), will
they not be prone to be a similar product?

So if your parents have 'common sense', will you
have 'common sense'?

You probably will, if your education doesn't get
in your way.

My dad had a lot of common sense. He was a smart
man, too. (He was a systems analyst/programmer
for IBM mainframe computers.) But I don't ever
remember him letting his intellect get in the way
of common sense.

It amazes me sometimes how some men are so helpless
when it comes to anything mechanical or electrical.
Yet these same men can make my head spin talking
about the latest scientific discovery.

They have all those capital letters after their
names, but it does them no good at all when the
battery on their automobile goes dead and they
need a jumpstart...or the toilet gets clogged
because junior dropped his favorite toy down
in the water never to be seen again.

I'm reminded of a saying that I've heard around
spiritual gatherings...Someone is said to be
'so heavenly minded that they're no earthly good'.

Or the saying, 'He's too smart for his own good.'

So can you have 'common sense' and above average
intelligence at the same time?

I believe the answer is, 'Yes', but I think sometimes
intelligence tries to get in the way.

I laugh at myself sometimes...I feel like I have
a reasonable amount of common sense,
and I am generally considered to be 'smart'.
I am an electronic technician/engineer by trade.

What's funny sometimes is how complicated
I end up making things...my analytical,
logical mind kicks in to find a way
to resolve a problem and I'm off on some
tangent (rabbit trail) chasing down a problem
that I created in my mind.

I don't see the forest for the trees. After
several moments (minutes, hours, days...)
of 'solving' the problem and giving up in
frustration, or maybe even finding a solution,
someone else comes along...some one with
unadulterated 'common sense'...and says,
'Did you think about doing it this way?'

So if you are one of the ones 'lucky' enough
to be born with 'common sense', use it carefully.
Guard it with your life.

If you want to try to learn 'common sense',
enroll in the school of hard knocks where the
school colors are black and blue...

Be blessed,

JDB




Uncommon Tools of the Trade

Common sense, I believe...
 

comes from your personal experience of observing the world around you.

Here is an example. It seems logical to me - yet... A former roommate of mine had NEVER figured this one out until I pointed it out to him.

There is one traffic light on Orangethorpe Ave in Anaheim that Glenn ALWAYS got stuck at. He ran a red once - and got a ticket - because he just couldn't time it right.

And he couldn't figure out how I always knew when to stop and when to proceed through the light.

We were together in his car one day and he started slowing down. I asked him why and he explained the situation described above.

I told him to watch the "Walk/Don't Walk" light and he'd never get another ticket.

Simple, huh. Common Sense??? You tell me.

Thank You All........
 

for your great observations!...

It is my belief that indeed some are "born with it" while (most) are not...I believe common sense is 'honed' by experience, that is we learn from our mistakes...I'm sure we all know persons who continue to make the same mistakes time after time during their lifetime...It would seem that these folks have 'no' common sense...

I grew up on an Illinois "dirt farm" during the "Great Depression" and as somebody mentioned we HAD to use common sense just to survive!...There was little money and we quite often "bartered" for our needs...We simply "did what we had to do"...I often wonder, (given the same circumstances, no electricity, no indoor plumbing, little money,etc.), how a young person of today would fare...Very likely, many would not survive! (IMHO)....

When a young person asks me a question, the answer I give is based on my life experience and the chances are good I have "been there and done that" and know what will 'work' and what will not...I see this as common sense but the young person may only consider my experience (and may not even agree with it!)...

I could rattle on forever but I thank you all again for your responses...It was very interesting!....Rooster




"Rocking Chair Wisdom"

Taught? Learned? Implanted by Aliens perhaps...
 

Can common sense be 'taught' or are you 'born with it' and thus you either have it or you don't?

Rooster:

Good question. And it deserves a good answer.

Common sense, by definition, is the "sense" that the majority (the common) operate under.

I say, WHO CARES whether they had to learn their ways or were born with it. I can't imagine anyone wanting to be like them on purpose.

Uncommon sense, by definition, is the "sense" that the minority operate under. And that minority have an advantage because they are AWARE of both types of "sense". And they can easily spot likeminded people and associate with them.

Anyway. Can it be learned? Or are we born with it? Or...

It is learned by everyone. We are not born with it. We are born with the ability to acquire it. Our inquisitiveness... our inclination to solve problems... to overcome obstacles placed in our way. These tendecies enable us to acquire uncommon sense.

We don't realise we are acquiring it. But we are.

Often, its acquisition comes about due to solitude moments. It's hard to think when you're bombarded by the noise of the majority.

School. Uni. Parties. Friends in each others pockets. Functions. Office politics. Big deals made out of mole hills. Rush rush. Everyone is in my way. Quick. What will Betty and Bob think? Oh, the games in TV but it's bridge night. That darn mortgage. Debts. Latest blockbusters on. Silence? Turn on the radio. More bad news. Blah blah blah.

Submerged in it for years, you do not notice it.

Take a step back... and out of the hubub... and it looks a little crazy. Get ready... uncommon sense is making a move. Adding a notch to its gun.

Responsible people have uncommon sense.

Think about it.

Michael Ross

Very good post, Michael (DNO)
 

An Obituary for Mr. Common Sense....
 

Here's an email that I received that you "may" find interesting....

I know I did :-> Enjoy!

========================

OBITUARY FOR MR. COMMON SENSE

Subject: OBITUARY FOR MR. COMMON SENSE

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, by the name of Common
Sense. Common Sense lived a long life but died in the United States from
heart failure on the beginning of the new millennium.

No one really knows how old he was, since his birth records were long ago
lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service
in schools, hospitals, homes, factories, helping folks get jobs done without
fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws, and frivolous
lawsuits held no power over Common Sense.

He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come
in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, and that life isn't
always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more
than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not
the kids), and it's okay to come in second.

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the
Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational
trends including body piercing, whole language, and "new math."

But his health declined when he became infected with the
"If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus. In recent decades his
waning strength proved no match for the ravages of well intentioned, but
overbearing regulations.

He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers. His
health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented
zero-tolerance policies. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual
harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of
mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly
student only worsened his condition.

It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to
administer aspirin to a student but could not inform the parents when a
female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments
became contraband, Churches became businesses, criminals received better
treatment than their victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in
everything from the Boy Scouts to professional sports.

Finally, when a woman, failing to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was
hot, was awarded a huge settlement, Common Sense threw in the towel. As the
end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic, but was kept informed
of developments regarding questionable regulations, such as
those for low flow toilets, rocking chairs, and stepladders.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his
wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

He is survived by two stepbrothers: My Rights, and Ima Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

> from this astute group...Answer this
> question please: Can common sense be
> 'taught' or are you 'born with it' and thus
> you either have it or you don't?...Look
> forward to your replies....Rooster

Thank You Duane!....
 

This DOES say it all...I truly appreciate it!....Rooster

Here's an email that I received that you
> "may" find interesting....

> I know I did :-> Enjoy!

> ========================

> OBITUARY FOR MR. COMMON SENSE

> Subject: OBITUARY FOR MR. COMMON SENSE

> Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old
> friend, by the name of Common
> Sense. Common Sense lived a long life but
> died in the United States from
> heart failure on the beginning of the new
> millennium.

> No one really knows how old he was, since
> his birth records were long ago
> lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly
> devoted his life to service
> in schools, hospitals, homes, factories,
> helping folks get jobs done without
> fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty
> rules, silly laws, and frivolous
> lawsuits held no power over Common Sense.

> He was credited with cultivating such valued
> lessons as to know when to come
> in out of the rain, why the early bird gets
> the worm, and that life isn't
> always fair.

> Common Sense lived by simple, sound
> financial policies (don't spend more
> than you earn), reliable parenting
> strategies (the adults are in charge, not
> the kids), and it's okay to come in second.

> A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the
> Great Depression, and the
> Technological Revolution, Common Sense
> survived cultural and educational
> trends including body piercing, whole
> language, and "new math."

> But his health declined when he became
> infected with the
>
> "If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it"
> virus. In recent decades his
> waning strength proved no match for the
> ravages of well intentioned, but
> overbearing regulations.

> He watched in pain as good people became
> ruled by self-seeking lawyers. His
> health rapidly deteriorated when schools
> endlessly implemented
> zero-tolerance policies. Reports of a
> six-year-old boy charged with sexual
> harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen
> suspended for taking a swig of
> mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired
> for reprimanding an unruly
> student only worsened his condition.

> It declined even further when schools had to
> get parental consent to
> administer aspirin to a student but could
> not inform the parents when a
> female student was pregnant or wanted an
> abortion.

> Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live
> as the Ten Commandments
> became contraband, Churches became
> businesses, criminals received better
> treatment than their victims, and federal
> judges stuck their noses in
> everything from the Boy Scouts to
> professional sports.

> Finally, when a woman, failing to realize
> that a steaming cup of coffee was
> hot, was awarded a huge settlement, Common
> Sense threw in the towel. As the
> end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out
> of logic, but was kept informed
> of developments regarding questionable
> regulations, such as
> those for low flow toilets, rocking chairs,
> and stepladders.

> Common Sense was preceded in death by his
> parents, Truth and Trust; his
> wife, Discretion; his daughter,
> Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

> He is survived by two stepbrothers: My
> Rights, and Ima Whiner.

> Not many attended his funeral because so few
> realized he was gone.




"Rocking Chair Wisdom"

That is truly
 

one of the saddest obits I've ever read. Unfortunately, there is a lot of truth contained in those words.

Dennis Bevers

> OBITUARY FOR MR. COMMON SENSE

> Subject: OBITUARY FOR MR. COMMON SENSE

> Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old
> friend, by the name of Common
> Sense. Common Sense lived a long life but
> died in the United States from
> heart failure on the beginning of the new
> millennium.

> No one really knows how old he was, since
> his birth records were long ago
> lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly
> devoted his life to service
> in schools, hospitals, homes, factories,
> helping folks get jobs done without
> fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty
> rules, silly laws, and frivolous
> lawsuits held no power over Common Sense.

> He was credited with cultivating such valued
> lessons as to know when to come
> in out of the rain, why the early bird gets
> the worm, and that life isn't
> always fair.

> Common Sense lived by simple, sound
> financial policies (don't spend more
> than you earn), reliable parenting
> strategies (the adults are in charge, not
> the kids), and it's okay to come in second.

> A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the
> Great Depression, and the
> Technological Revolution, Common Sense
> survived cultural and educational
> trends including body piercing, whole
> language, and "new math."

> But his health declined when he became
> infected with the
>
> "If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it"
> virus. In recent decades his
> waning strength proved no match for the
> ravages of well intentioned, but
> overbearing regulations.

> He watched in pain as good people became
> ruled by self-seeking lawyers. His
> health rapidly deteriorated when schools
> endlessly implemented
> zero-tolerance policies. Reports of a
> six-year-old boy charged with sexual
> harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen
> suspended for taking a swig of
> mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired
> for reprimanding an unruly
> student only worsened his condition.

> It declined even further when schools had to
> get parental consent to
> administer aspirin to a student but could
> not inform the parents when a
> female student was pregnant or wanted an
> abortion.

> Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live
> as the Ten Commandments
> became contraband, Churches became
> businesses, criminals received better
> treatment than their victims, and federal
> judges stuck their noses in
> everything from the Boy Scouts to
> professional sports.

> Finally, when a woman, failing to realize
> that a steaming cup of coffee was
> hot, was awarded a huge settlement, Common
> Sense threw in the towel. As the
> end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out
> of logic, but was kept informed
> of developments regarding questionable
> regulations, such as
> those for low flow toilets, rocking chairs,
> and stepladders.

> Common Sense was preceded in death by his
> parents, Truth and Trust; his
> wife, Discretion; his daughter,
> Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

> He is survived by two stepbrothers: My
> Rights, and Ima Whiner.

> Not many attended his funeral because so few
> realized he was gone.




My bizopp that keeps me from having to get a job!