Training: The New "Common Sense"

The concept of “Common Sense” has always been an excuse for failure to train. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “Common Sense” as, "Sound, native judgment not based on specialized knowledge.” Left with this definition the connotative meaning of “Native judgment,” becomes ‘Genetic Predisposition,’ in other words, something that it is natural for us to be or know. Something we are born knowing. Many assume there is a level of knowledge anyone must surely have who reaches a certain age or educational level. Otherwise how could they possibly have gotten that far?

We don’t know that we don’t know

There is no credible evidence to suggest that humans are born knowing anything. Yes, even in a feral environment humans eventually walk upright but everything else has to be learned, most of it by example and imitation. Different cultures and races provide very different examples to imitate. I once had a woman become incensed with me for holding a door open for her. She went on to actually shout at me for saying “mam!” Sad really. . .

Maybe it is we who need to learn

Is it not presumptuous for us to deplore the ignorance of others, without first considering the depth of our own ignorance? Ever drink Snapple TM? The tiny company became a nationwide drink by sponsoring Rush Limbaugh. Did you ever notice the small "K" inside a circle on the label? CNNs hate of Rush Limbaugh resulted in their rushing to lambast Snapple TM for using this symbol. For a week, they brought in, "experts" to swear the symbol represented the Ku Klux Klan and the picture on the label depicted, "Slave ships." Of course the circle and K symbol means, "Kosher" while the picture on the label, is only the most famous painting of American History, the, "Boston Tea Party."

Good old fashioned training, with a twist

Mark Twain once observed that, "Training is everything, the peach was once a bitter almond, a cabbage is nothing but a cauliflower with a college education." I have a friend, call him Bob a brilliant PhD. college history professor with four books to his credit. He called me the other day, “Jim would you please come over and show me how to change the washers in my garden hose?”

“Sure buddy,” I said. “Be right over.” The hose was a cinch of course but before I could leave. . .

“Excuse me,” he said sheepishly pointing to a garden sprayer, “I apologize for asking you this but Tish brought home this container of whatever it is to remove mildew from the outside of the house.” That explained the smell and Bob’s red eyes.

“Say no more Bob,” I said sympathetically. “First let’s wash your eyes for a few minutes. Then I’ll go home and grab some goggles and a poncho.”

My friend Bob has more degrees than a thermometer but he was never exposed to the practical aspects of home ownership. It is not a lack of ‘Common Sense,' it is just no one ever taught him. When we take the time to observe, mentor, and correct, in short, to train we not only impart knowledge, we protect life and ‘Common Sense’ is not a factor.

In a rocker at the Old Place, I am,

Col. Jim