Thinking Sanely About Risk

I did not want to comment on the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas day ( if that indeed is what it was). The response, however, has been even more unhinged than usual. Middle aged men everywhere will be pissing themselves because washrooms are available for the last hour of the flight (and of course while on the ground). And we will all be treated to the prospect of spending a ridiculous amount of time staring at the seat back in front of us, not reading, not working. No doubt meditation will make a huge comeback.

We all face risks every day of our lives. The trip to the airport and the food you eat there and on the plane will continue to expose you to far more risk than some nutbar who is much more likely, apparently, to immolate her or himself than cause any real damage. The best way to sideline these lunatics is to ignore them. These people only gain credibility when we respond with fear and/or vastly over-react.

When we are afraid, they win. Let's stop