Uncommon Common Sense

On any given day, in any given news broadcast, we hear the latest report from the latest study by some expert, somewhere.  In my humble opinion, the experts are overwhelming us with the results of such diverse research as the disastrous consequences of eating too many Big Macs to the psychological harm of cuddling babies.  I’ve read several such studies with their dire warnings and my head is spinning from the contradictory advice.

Last week, overweight people were near death’s door, costing society millions in healthcare dollars.  This week, those same people are not only healthier and happier; they most likely can’t help their size because of some hidden genetic code.  Yesterday, too much exposure to the sun caused instant death.  Today, we hear that we need the sun for Vitamin D to strengthen our bones and sunrays can actually prevent some forms of cancer.  Last week, the food police told us to avoid fatty foods at all costs—or die.  Now, we learn that our bodies need fat to help absorb other nutrients, and growing children require it for proper brain and bone development.  The food pyramid has been turned upside-down and inside out, and is currently lying on its side.  Which expert and study are we to believe?

How did Grandpa and Grandma do it?  How did they live to be eighty and ninety years old without studies to tell them to cuddle their babies, keep physically active, and eat a healthy diet?  How did they know that allowing children to sleep with them until they were five years old would harm the child and the marriage?  How did they conclude that driving too fast caused more accidents?  Most surprising of all, how in the world did they figure out kids would gain weight if given unlimited access to soda and candy?  To think—they reached all of these sage conclusions without the advice of any multi-million dollar government-funded study!  

Back in the day, our grandparents looked elsewhere than the latest study for guidance.  They relied on something called ‘common sense’, a rock-solid philosophy that guided them through life.  It told them amazing things.  You ate too much–you’d gained weight.  You sat around too much–you’d be sick.  You let your children run wild-you’d have trouble.  Perhaps our modern-day experts would do well to conduct one final study: “How to live life without fear and confusion by following your own common sense.” 

Unfortunately, common sense has become rather uncommon.  Instead relying on ‘gut instinct’, this generation reads warning labels and searches Google for advice.  Statistics and studies have replaced good old-fashioned common sense that served us well for generations.  While some studies serve a purpose and some findings are worthwhile, there are many times when we can safely ignore the results.

When the latest report contradicts conventional wisdom, it needs deeper scrutiny before accepting it as truth.  As with Hollywood scandals and political polls, ‘expert studies’ will always be in the news.  However, their dire warnings need not be cause for alarm if uncommon common sense says otherwise.