Common sense is defined by Merriam-Webster as, “sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.” Another definition is “sound practical judgment that is independent of specialised knowledge, training, or the like; normal native intelligence.” One tends to have a basic expectation of common sense from people. But the word common is misleading. There is a constant, evergreen, and “unreal” source of incredulous things people say and do that makes me think common sense is in fact
extremely uncommon.

What would you say of the owner who claims that her cat dialed 911 thereby calling the police in time to save her life? Or the person who called 911 and claimed to not be able to find the Eleven button on his phone, thereby not being able to call Nine-Eleven? Or the bank robber who had his name prominently labelled across the motorbike helmet he wore to a bank? If I keep extending this list, you will soon get convinced that I am making this up as I am going along.

I am reminded of the words of Ernest Hemingway when we would sit on the steps of, whatever he sat on the steps of, and “see the world walk by.” Well, Hemingway and I share that in common, except that it seems like I am more entertained than Hemingway was, as I do not just see the world walk by, but also make a fool of itself all along the way.

So, when you feel that things are all so sad and boring, just read or watch the news bulletins. I am positive that common sense is very much an endangered species.