Personal responsibility, what's happened?

[Mr Merde]

I have noticed that there are a number of threads on this site that ultimately come down to being responsible for ones own decisions and actions.

I also note that there are as many voices on one side as the other.

I feel like a dinosaur.

I was raised by a father and mother who instilled upon me a belief that in the end it is I and I alone who is responsible for my own actions and decisions.

Those situations that I have absolutely no control over are someone elses problem but anything I can influence is mine.

Why should I be able to blame my upbringing, my schooling, my ancestory, the government, their agencies or anyone else when I was the person who actually made the decision or performed the act. Right or wrong I will have to live with it.

Todays society finds it so easy to lay blame on everything else rather than the individual.

If I walk down the road and trip on the curb, why should I be able to sue (seen it in the UK) when I should have been aware of my environment and watching for hazards. Why if I flee from the police in a chase and get hurt or killed should the blame be ponted at them, it was my decision. Why if I object to the governments behaviour do I bitch about then? I could have usede the democratic system and done something about it. Worse still I could have not used the system, not voted and still demand the right to bitch about the gov. pure hypocracy in my view.

PC has gone rabid. I personally feel that we as a people need to stand up and say "Yes I screwed up and am prepared to face up to it" but we are encouraged not to do this. It may offend someone elses sensibilities or worse still it may impact on someone elses sense of self worth as guardian of our morals and belief structure. It could, heaven forbid, impact upon the earning capacity of those who find their niche enforcing these politically correct beliefs.

What shall we do?

You tell me. All I know is that this dinosaur is going to continue to behave the way he has been taught.


Mr

[howdamnhard]

I agree,I must be a dinosaur too!

[Mr Merde]

I agree,I must be a dinosaur too!

We are rapidly going the same route as the reptilian versions.

[caesius]

I'm young but apparently I harbour Dinosaur views - what species does that make me?

[sAsLEX]

The NHS has banned the eating at desks and is removing the Vending Machines from work area as Ramadan, Muslim fasting month, is coming up and they dont want to offend them. The Muslims have said they dont care.

PC is getting worse and worse, I am surprised I was still allowed to train with live ammunition and a rifle with sharp edges instead of a plastic toy and pretend sounds!

[Albino]

I hate quoting myself but i just typed a rant under the police chase thread.

Basically yes there is an issue with personal responsibility in our society. We are members of our society and therefore we all need to take responsibility for fixing it.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...16#post1170716

I can't see it happening though, every time some one complains about a small incremental erosion of personal freedom 90% of the population (including on here) say there's nothing to worry about, stop being paranoid and if you have nothing to hide you shouldn't be concerned.

Freedom and responsiblity are linked. It's not chance that these problems are happening in line with ever-restricting rules and laws in society.

[deanohit]

I'm young but apparently I harbour Dinosaur views - what species does that make me?

Same boat for me. I'm all for people being responsible for their actions as we are always claiming to be an intelligent species, but I really wonder sometimes.

[007XX]

Same boat for me. I'm all for people being responsible for their actions as we are always claiming to be an intelligent species, but I really wonder sometimes.

Most definitely...I'm 31 and think my mind is 50 sometimes...Borderline Grumpy Ol' Woman! Simply because I am sick and tired of people not taking responsability for their actions.

I don't think we are a dying generation though, just a diminished one, who will resurge as soon as humanity has had enough of craping in its own nest.

[Coldrider]

Same boat for me. I'm all for people being responsible for their actions as we are always claiming to be an intelligent species, but I really wonder sometimes.

It is that the intelligence various amongst the human species, but intelligence is not responsibility.

[007XX]

It is that the intelligence various amongst the human species, but intelligence is not responsibility.

Then you'd have to define "intelligence": are we talking academics, or Street smarts???

At the end of the day, I have seen mentally challenged individuals (and I mean Suffering from Down's syndrome and the likes)being more responsible for their actions than Graduates from the Schmuck institute of Harvard...

It is NOT a question of intelligence...partly a lot to do with your upbringing and then there is the factor of your own personnality, genetic makeup...

Quite honnestly, I think we underestimate how complex we are as human beings and cannot seem to accpet that as many flaws as we have upon conception, there is a certain amount of ourselves we can manipulate and alter, but there is another bit that we will never be able to reach...

However, this said we should not use it as an excuse to behave like Neanderthals.

[deanohit]

I'm 31 and think my mind is 50 sometimes...Borderline Grumpy Ol' Woman! Simply because I am sick and tired of people not taking responsability for their actions.

Haha, hows about being 22 and everyone who knows you well calls you grandad? Used to get a few people pissed off when they're working for me and find out that their boss was 10-15 years younger than them.

[scumdog]

You guys would not believe how many times I get : *"If you do me for drink-driving I'll lose my job and it will be YOUR fault" and shit like that, alway 'somebody elses' fault.


*My normal response to that one is "I never jammed a pistol in your ear and said 'drink' and I did not put you into your car, start it and say 'drive' so no, it's not my fault if you have a problem - don't try to make it mine".

[007XX]

Haha, hows about being 22 and everyone who knows you well calls you grandad? Used to get a few people pissed off when they're working for me and find out that their boss was 10-15 years younger than them.

yep, know what you mean...

I was 22 once...But I prefer being older! It gets tiresome having people doubt your judgement because of how young you look...

Anyhoo...I don't know how we can make sure people go back to taking their responsabilities seriously. I'd love to know.
All I can say is, I can control myself and my son to a certain point, but on a community base, it would be difficult...I guess that may be why a lot of dictatorship were actually quite successfull for a long time!

1 ring to rule them all...(?)

[Grahameeboy]

I agree, however, this thread has been brought about because of that recent Police chase story and I still feel that in some cases those who know better also have the ability to prevent those less responsible from becoming a statistic and creating a better outcome.

Sometimes, whatever the rights and wrongs it still takes 2 to tango.

Ever heard of novus actus intervenium (not quite sure of spelling cause it is Latin and I have enough trubs with English) reference the Kerb tripping illustration.

[deanohit]

I dont think it would even work if we were made resposible by our parents from the start because you may feel responsible for your actions, but the community see's you as the victim and will make someone else responsible for your dumb action.I think thats what I was meaning to say.