“The nation’s air-safety system suffers from the same malady as much of the federal government: years of underfunding by politicians who somehow expect to get something for nothing.” David A. Graham, writer, The Atlantic Daily.
“When will the Economic Truth be Accepted, our current economic priorities are not working, and Change Behaviour?”…
Says the global thinker facing a grossly under-educated, under-read, and under-thinking, Australian population.
Remember, I am just a canary in the mine, with 1,000s of other canaries in the country. Allow me, one individual, to just perish and see what happens.
“Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”
John Donne, a 17th-century English poet and dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
What is the problem here in cognition? I suggest that the problem is called, “Safe Boxing”. To explain what is meant by “Safe Boxing”, I will quote a message on the Quora platform:
What is the most ignorant thing someone has said to you?
Not a single thing, but a recurring problem. I am an old widow, alone, child-free and with no family anywhere near. Here’s the latest one, a notice from a local community centre forwarded by friend who no longer has time for me (no negative judgement here, she is busy and has more important priorities) –
Just a reminder – we will open Christmas Day from 2pm to 4pm. Book your place. We will serve festive nibbles, mince pies and cake. Games including bingo and a quiz. Tell a neighbour or a friend. Open to anyone wanting some company.
This is a perfect example of what I call Safe Boxing. That is where someone makes a patronising suggestion or offers uninvited advice on what you should do or where you should go. It makes them feel righteous but what they are in fact doing is trying to stick you in a very safe, distant box, so that they are not troubled by you. My stepdaughter did it a few years ago when she told me of a vegan retreat with vacancies over Christmas and new year. I am not a vegan and I did not dignify that with a response.
This latest one is particularly galling because I am coeliac so would not be able to partake of any of the “festive nibbles” mince pies and cake mentioned. What is more, I cannot think of anything more mindless and dreary than bingo!!!
I refuse to be conveniently disposed of by being corralled into a ghetto for sad solos. I am quite content with my own company and the company of my dogs thank you. But examples of safe boxing keep on coming and they are infuriating.
If you “Safe Boxing”, you are diminishing someone else’s life, and maybe your own. Perish the thought that you would deliberately perish someone’s life before their time.
Featured Image: Caspar David Friedrich, Wanderer above the Sea of Fog.
Neville Buch
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