Political Correctness

[Brengirl]

I like many others think today's' rules and regulations make a mockery of commonsense. BUT, I began to delve a little and now wonder if this has been a natural progression leading to today's longevity. In the 1800dreds did folk realize the danger lurking in running water, rancid meat and unprotected sex etc. I doubt it. Some busybodies devoted their lives to find some answers to help combat disease. I just wonder if the busybodies of today will be thanked for their contribution in 100 years time.

[ginger ninger]

According to "Global Warming" we won't be here in 100years time, but I very much doubt they will be thanked!!

[HeyWayne]

"If we didn't have rules, where would we be....?"

[PAULW]

FRANCE !

If we had more rules where would we be!

[Incy]

FRANCE !

If we had more rules where would we be!

Lol Paul, you wouldn't say that if you'd lived there. They have red tape down to a fine art

[Glutton4...]

Germany!

Incy, it's Al Murray...

[Incy]

Ah, I see. Maybe I should get out more or at least watch more telly

[rustylady]

I like many others think today's' rules and regulations make a mockery of commonsense. BUT, I began to delve a little and now wonder if this has been a natural progression leading to today's longevity. In the 1800dreds did folk realize the danger lurking in running water, rancid meat and unprotected sex etc. I doubt it. Some busybodies devoted their lives to find some answers to help combat disease. I just wonder if the busybodies of today will be thanked for their contribution in 100 years time.

Yes Brengirl, but don't you think it's gone a bit too far. Plus the things you've mentioned are really more to do with Elf & Safety, which in my opinion has also gone far too far. Cutting down conker trees so the kids don't get hurt trying to harvest conkers, banning hanging baskets in case one of them falls and hurts someone, etc. etc. etc.

[lizzylemon]

Well said RL - it's definitely H&S not PC stuff. Having lived in the Espana part of the world, I'm glad to say they too have buckets of red tape but blatantly ignore it all, normally smoking and drinking whilst they do so.

Many a discussion was whether the Spainards have blind faith or are just totally crazy when it comes to driving. My theory was no one, but no one would drive like they do without utter faith in Divine powers.

[Rhona]

Very often, Elf and Safety hasn't gone mad, but the meeja spin on it HAS.

There's always much E&S bashing, and 'it was alright in our day' comments, but there's usually more to the legislation than meets the eye. In most of these cases, more than one person will have sustained nasty injuries, and the idea is to stop it happening to someone else.

It's not so remote either - through work, I know of two conker tree related deaths in just this area, by way of using RL's example, one a child. The people responsible for the regs don't want to be responsible for another incident like that. Harsh but true, I suppose.

[FionaH]

So much of H&S feels like cotton wooling. These regs on the other hand have very often stopped working folk being exploited by unscrupulous employers. So I guess it is a balance. I heard recently that the pony club and many riding schools no longer teach kids to trot without stirrups in case the little darlings fall off and sue. That to me is just silly

[Scottishnewbie]

So much of H&S feels like cotton wooling. These regs on the other hand have very often stopped working folk being exploited by unscrupulous employers. So I guess it is a balance. I heard recently that the pony club and many riding schools no longer teach kids to trot without stirrups in case the little darlings fall off and sue. That to me is just silly

when I was learning to ride, my instructor told me I HAD to fall off a minumum of seven times before I could 'officially' call myself a rider!!! (i almost learnt to ride in a single lesson if i remember correctly.....!!!!)

seriously though, i do think it has all gone a bit crazy.

[HeyWayne]

I'm thinking aloud here, not sure where this is going to go, so bear with me and enjoy the ride.

I agree that Health & Safety has it's place, but is it creating a downward spiral?

Thinking along the same lines - look at our cars. Over the years they have become mobile cushions (for those inside, however "pedestrian" safety has started to feature more and more heavily in car design/standards). As a result it's arguable that driving standards have declined as the cars do more for us, and are more forgiving when we get things wrong.

Picture this - every car in the land has it's drivers airbag removed and replaced with a chuffing great spike pointing directly at you.

Would the standard of driving improve as a result?

I understand the reasons for Health & Safety standards to be there - but they don't stop accidents happening in general - they just provide a source of blame.

Ok, and now I'm back in the room.......

Did anyone watch me whilst that happened? I think I just had an out of body experience.

[Rhona]

I was told when I trained as a ballet dancer that the blood should show through your shoes at the end of the lesson, or you're not working hard enough. What total bobbins that was. Students now have better toe protectors, my toes are wrecked.

Like I say, I see both sides, and there'll be loads more 'Elf & Safety' detractors than supporters, which is partly why I feel the need to offer a bit of support!

We only generally hear about the 'crazy/conker tree' stuff - there's a thousand more very sensible regs that keep people safe every day. I just get mildly piqued at the broadbrush criticism H&S attracts.

[Hilary B]

Very often, Elf and Safety hasn't gone mad, but the meeja spin on it HAS.

There's always much E&S bashing, and 'it was alright in our day' comments, but there's usually more to the legislation than meets the eye. In most of these cases, more than one person will have sustained nasty injuries, and the idea is to stop it happening to someone else.

It's not so remote either - through work, I know of two conker tree related deaths in just this area, by way of using RL's example, one a child. The people responsible for the regs don't want to be responsible for another incident like that. Harsh but true, I suppose.

That isn't about Elf-n-Safety, that is CYA, and the result of the Blame Culture (which is closely linked to Political Correctness). The people who make the regs are less concerned about safety and more concerned about not being blamed!
Wayne, yes, I think you have a point. The most dangerous component in any car is the nut behind the wheel.....