Thursday, December 07, 2006

See More

I realized something while driving down the highway today. Actually I realized part of it a long time ago. I was cruising along, when suddenly traffic came to a stop. Then it took off again just a few feet ahead. The reason for the stop was the there was a point where people in cars could suddenly see all of the cars in front of them. The highway is kind of level for most of the trip to SF, but there are 3 places where it isn't. During the level spots, one can really only see a few cars ahead of oneself. But during these 3 places, one gets a sudden view of all of the cars in front of them, most of them with brake lights on, so people tend to hit theirs as well which leads to the traffic jams at these 3 spots. Kind of why horses wear blinders, I would guess.

That part I realized a while ago, the reason for the stoppage at certain places. What I reasoned today was: the ability to see further down the road and put on ones brakes because one can see the danger of other stopped vehicles ahead, can be apply to life. Those people who can see further into the future, discern events that might happen, are more than likely to hit the brakes in their own lives to avoid the future possible danger. Those who can see more possible futures also see more possible problems.

So, the complete idiot is happy, because he sees no future danger. The "smarter" one is the more one could see into the future and therefore also has the greater the possibility of being paralyzed by it. Those who see more might panic at things most people do not see coming. Better foresight might not actually be a blessing!

The Edward

3 comments:

Madpuppy said...

Ignorance is bliss.

Of course, lack of foresight also lead to the Iraq debacle.

The Edward said...

Of course you say that only because you can see further.

Sugar Addict said...

"The future has several names. For the weak, it is the impossible. For the faint-hearted, it is the unknown. For the thoughtful and valiant, it is the ideal."
-Victor Hugo

Chew on that, Mr. Foresight!