This isn’t the post that I intended to write today. Sure, I’ll probably clickety-clack that one out, as well, but I’ve got some other things that are weighing heavily on my mind.
Why are we so keen to follow the crowd? Why do we have such a strong need to do what everyone else does or says? Whether in our personal or professional lives, why, why, WHY do we do this?
This is a fact of human nature that really irks me, in general, but lately, it’s something that’s had epithets and maledictions bubbling just below the surface, just waiting to be unleashed on the next person who says something to the effect of “my best friend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid …” (unless I happen to be watching Ferris Bueller). What’s the reason for this heightened level of aggravation?
I’ll tell you.
There is a little boy in Colorado. He’s five years old. Healthy. Active. Full of inquisitiveness and fun. His name is AJ, and he also happens to be the son of one of my dear friends. About a week and a half ago, AJ came home from school, complaining that he had a scratchy throat. Two days later, he was admitted to Children’s Hospital in Denver, where he’s been ever since.
AJ has H1N1. Swine Flu.
Over the course of the week or so that he’s been in the hospital, he has been on a ventilator, had kidney failure, collapsed lungs, strokes (yes, strokes … plural), not to mention a great deal of pain. His parents, while strong, are absolutely grief-stricken.
Now, before anyone gets all up in arms, the point of this post (and I do have one, I swear) is NOT to jump into the fray and cause unnecessary frenzy about H1N1. Reacting to any situation with panic is, generally speaking, ill-advised. AJ’s case is, most assuredly, more severe than most will experience, if they get hit with the flu — standard issue or H1N1 — at all. The percentage of people who will have symptoms even close to these is very, very small. The ones who do, however, will most likely be children.
So, logic would dictate that if there were a way to avoid having kids subjected to pain like this, a chance to give them a little extra life insurance, parents would take it, right? WRONG.
People are so caught up with “So-and-so said that the flu shot is dangerous!” or “I heard such-and-such say that there’s really nothing to be concerned about …” that they’re not taking the time to get the FACTS. The facts are that while most won’t have to bear the full brunt of H1N1, it has the potential to be very serious. The facts are that the vaccine for H1N1 has been made safely, in the same way that flu vaccines have been made for years. If people could look past the hype and rumor-mongering, logic and common sense just might prevail (though I’m not holding my breath).
Me? I tend not to follow crowd mentality, not in my personal life, nor in my professional life. For my family, friends and for myself, I try to make decisions and do things that are best for US. For my clients, I try to help them make decisions and develop strategies that are best for THEM.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you follow the so-called “wisdom” of the crowd?
Oh, and get a flu shot. The moment it’s available, my kids and I will be front-and-center getting ours.
