Anecdote: How Gullible Are We?

This anecdote came from TheHumorArchives.com. I'd like to share this with you because it has an important lesson to teach:

A student at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair. He was attempting to show how conditioned we have become to alarmists practicing junk science and spreading fear of everything in our environment. In his project he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical "dihydrogen monoxide."

And for plenty of good reasons, since:

1. it can cause excessive sweating and vomiting
2. it is a major component in acid rain
3. it can cause severe burns in its gaseous state
4. accidental inhalation can kill you
5. it contributes to erosion
6. it decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes
7. it has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients

He asked 50 people if they supported a ban of the chemical.

* Forty-three (43) said yes,
* Six (6) were undecided,
* Only one (1) knew that the chemical was water.

The title of his prize winning project was, "How Gullible Are We?"

He feels the conclusion is obvious.

(Photo courtesy of www.sxc.hu)

A Few Words on Life from Pablo Casals

Since I have just been through a period of reflection which resulted in my reinvention of this blog, this anecdote from an anonymous source which was emailed to me by a friend many years ago seem apropriate. Let me share this story with you:

A man should become all that he is created capable of being.

Think of the example of Pablo Casals, the small town boy who
became world famous as a musician. At four he sang Gregorian chants in the
parish church, at six he studied the piano and the organ and wrote music, at
seven he began to study the violin, at 11 he took up the cello...and so on, step
by step, until at 90, he conducted performances at three major symphonies, the
recordings of which are giving world-wide pleasure.

Whenhe was 83 years old, Casals was asked why he continued to practice four
and five hours every day. Casals gave this reason: "Because I think I am making
progress."

All that is expected of each of us--is that we will make the best use of
things that are within our power.

I think blogging is within my power, so here I am. Good day to all...