fbpx

Why is Common Sense Uncommon?


by Don Smith

All products and services featured on this site are independently selected by our authors and editors. If you buy something through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

How many times have you thought that what you know is “common sense,” and anyone who doesn't see it your way doesn't have it?

Before you judge anyone based on a lack of “common sense,” realize that every person you meet has a different set of experiences and training. There are things that you might be able to teach them that you feel is “common knowledge,” but just as likely, there are things they could teach you.

Keep in mind that just because a large number of people believe something, making it “common,” doesn't make it true. Bloodletting (removing blood from a patient) was used for thousands of years to treat various illnesses and was even used on President George Washington and may have contributed to his death. Today it is well established that it is not an effective treatment for the vast majority of diseases, and is, in fact, harmful. But if you were a physician just a few hundred years ago, it would have been common practice.

One thing that getting exposure to an international audience has shown me is that many people have never learned things that seem like common sense to me. It's not that they aren't smart people, it's just that no one ever explained it to them, or they may see things differently. Cultures are quite different in various parts of the world as well, so what seems normal in one place would seem very out of place in another.

For example, did you know that it is common in various parts of the world for a man to have multiple wives (polygyny), or even for a woman to have multiple husbands (polyandry)? Common sense would dictate that it isn't a good idea to do that, right? It is so taboo that it is illegal in the USA, but try telling that to someone raised in that culture. In those areas, they may believe that our cultural norms are strange and go against common sense.

I was reading an article about how students are graduating high school with no knowledge of taxes, budgeting, investment strategies, how to cook, or many other everyday things that will allow them to survive in the real world. Does it make those students any less intelligent because no one ever taught them those things?

Many would not have considered that moving to an upscale neighborhood has a much more profound effect on their expenses than the cost of the house. Increased taxes, higher utility bills for a larger home, and feeling the need to buy beautiful things to not look out of place in the neighborhood will all add to their expenses. It's common sense to me, but to many, it would be a revelation, because no one ever taught them that.

It's common sense to many that the amount of money you have is not directly proportional to the amount of time you spend working, but to others that is a strange idea.

I could jump into a discussion with someone about investments and start talking about P/E, EBITDA, ROE, ROI, ladders, risk tolerance, or P/B. Or I could begin spitting out terms like MAC addresses, P25 integration, ANI/ALI, CAMA trunks, SPAN ports, VoIP, or RoIP. Or speak about SMART goals, critical paths, top-down, or bottom-up design.

Those are all quite common terms for me, used so frequently that they are almost common sense. Yet to think that someone is not intelligent because they work in a different industry and don't know them would be a massive leap.

Next time you start to judge someone for lack of common sense or for not knowing something you think is common knowledge, take a step back and realize that they have different experiences than you. What is common knowledge for you might be quite uncommon to the next person, but that alone doesn't make them any less intelligent.

Of course, there are people who will never get “it.” You know who I'm talking about, the crazies who like to push the boundaries, who don't conform to societal norms, those who come up with their own ideas rather than repeating what everyone else is saying. Common sense dictates that it's best to just steer clear of them. Maybe that's why people avoid me sometimes :).

About the Author 

Don Smith

Happily married with five kids, Smith owns a technology company, is the founder of this site, has served on the board of directors for multiple companies, and loves playing soccer, hiking, and mentoring.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Maybe you want to skewer critics. Perhaps you wish to surround yourself with an army of people to wage war on critics

Read More
What Do Critics Genuinely Teach You?

I read a post 5 minutes ago. A skilled blogger explained how AI seems to be more pervasive in the writing world.

Read More
No Thing Can Replace You

I recall watching an interview with Bill Gates. He noted putting in many hours of work to get Microsoft off of the

Read More
Find the Halfway Point Between Delusion and Self-Deprecation

A year from now, will you be WISHING that you started today?   Or will you be GLAD that you started today? What

Read More
Start Today: What 1 Percent Change Looks Like

94% of Millennials commit to personal improvement and are more than willing to invest close to $300 per month on self-development, according

Read More
Start Taking Responsibility to Experience Personal Growth

I had a little blow up last night where I went off on someone. But I did apologize today. Why? Apologizing frees

Read More
How Quickly Do You Apologize?

“Why should I continue going to the gym and eating healthy? It doesn't matter what I do I can't lose weight or

Read More
Success Starts Long Before Anyone Else Notices

Earlier today I heard how basketball legend Kobe Bryant had died. On hearing the news I felt a little sad and shocked.

Read More
On Death the Passing of Legends and Feeling Sad

Does your business seem slow? Slow business growth reflects your belief system back to you concerning your venture. Does your business seem

Read More
What Do You Genuinely Believe about Your Business?

However maddening, I decided to look within by meditating more often the prior 2 days. I spend some serious time going within

Read More
How Often Do You Look Within?

“I have no time to work on my goals,” you say with drooping shoulders and tired eyes. Your colleague replies, “I know

Read More
10 Work Habits That You Need to Beat To Succeed

I have aligned with good partners over the years through my blog. Picking good business partners is a skill to hone for

Read More
How to Pick Good Business Partners

SUBSCRIBE

Get new articles and course discounts from leading providers every Friday in your inbox with your free subscription!

>