Those cardboard shades you put in your windshield have a warning saying not to drive with it in place. Windex has a warning saying not to spray in your eyes. All medication commercials have a warning saying don’t use this stuff if you’re allergic to this stuff. All because of lawyers.
It’s a kind of progressive addiction. First you just have to test ‘wet paint.’ Next you don’t ‘stand behind this line’. Then you dare ‘do not cross against the light’. You ignore ‘slippery when wet.’ Then you don’t ‘wait until bus comes to full stop before exiting.’ And then comes the biggie ‘do not take this medication with alcoholic beverages.’ Followed by ‘do not operate a motor vehicle while taking this medication.’ And a newer one ‘it is against the law to text while driving.’ And the beat goes on.
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. Douglas Adams.
Presumably, some died (or at least were seriously injured) by swallowing the desiccant packets from their vitamin bottles, filling gas cans while smoking, or ironing clothes while wearing them…
cos I’ve bought vitamins, a gas can, and an iron with warnings on them about those things.
My small (electric) circular saw had a sticker on it saying not to make cuts underwater.
Guilty. Was a 16 year old gas pump jockey, back when we had those folks. Used the tire air hose. Thought I was deaf for life. Luckily hearing came back within an hour…. Yep. Pretty dumb…
The Legend of Brandon Sawyer over 5 years ago
Given the amount of air horn pranks on YouTube I’d say -1,000,000
danketaz Premium Member over 5 years ago
And how many read the warning and said to themselves, I could do that.
Otto Knowbetter over 5 years ago
Those cardboard shades you put in your windshield have a warning saying not to drive with it in place. Windex has a warning saying not to spray in your eyes. All medication commercials have a warning saying don’t use this stuff if you’re allergic to this stuff. All because of lawyers.
Bilan over 5 years ago
I guess Caulfield’s not old enough to know the Hey, hold my beer and watch this meme.
pschearer Premium Member over 5 years ago
I haven’t seen the Darwin Awards lately. Do they still do that? (Thanks in advance for looking it up for me.)
jpayne4040 over 5 years ago
Warning labels protect the stupid from themselves.
asrialfeeple over 5 years ago
Do not dry kittens in microwave.
Ceeg22 Premium Member over 5 years ago
Not the stupidest warning out there
sandpiper over 5 years ago
It’s a kind of progressive addiction. First you just have to test ‘wet paint.’ Next you don’t ‘stand behind this line’. Then you dare ‘do not cross against the light’. You ignore ‘slippery when wet.’ Then you don’t ‘wait until bus comes to full stop before exiting.’ And then comes the biggie ‘do not take this medication with alcoholic beverages.’ Followed by ‘do not operate a motor vehicle while taking this medication.’ And a newer one ‘it is against the law to text while driving.’ And the beat goes on.
Masterskrain over 5 years ago
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. Douglas Adams.
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 5 years ago
Presumably, some died (or at least were seriously injured) by swallowing the desiccant packets from their vitamin bottles, filling gas cans while smoking, or ironing clothes while wearing them…
cos I’ve bought vitamins, a gas can, and an iron with warnings on them about those things.
My small (electric) circular saw had a sticker on it saying not to make cuts underwater.
That probably did somebody in as well.
MS72 over 5 years ago
just bought a paper shredder, it warns not to use compressed air. i never would have thought trying it, so now i’m curious…
TraceySmith over 5 years ago
I wonder how many people tried it after being told not to.
bbbmorrell over 5 years ago
Non intersecting Venn diagram: people dumb enough to try it, people smart enough to read the warning labels
Uncle Bob over 5 years ago
Guilty. Was a 16 year old gas pump jockey, back when we had those folks. Used the tire air hose. Thought I was deaf for life. Luckily hearing came back within an hour…. Yep. Pretty dumb…
Al Nala over 5 years ago
We see dumb people. Usually, only after they’ve done something dumb.
JudyAz over 5 years ago
If it blows in your ear do you have to follow it everywhere?
fritzoid Premium Member over 5 years ago
The label on the chainsaw reading “Do not lick chain while motor is engaged” is there for a reason…
Jan C over 5 years ago
Darwin Awards candidates for sure. darwinawards.com
rlaker22j over 5 years ago
Like Ron White said you can’t fix stupid
Bill The Nuke over 5 years ago
More fodder for the Darwin Award.
Bozo T over 5 years ago
I can think of a couple of other body parts where I could blow compressed air, but aren’t mentioned on the warning label. Does that mean it’s ok?
Nick Danger over 5 years ago
A quick perusal of the Darwin Awards site is a great self-esteem boost
Teto85 Premium Member over 5 years ago
Somebody did that and sued. Those warning labels are basically legal cautions. And Darwin Award preventers. But idiots still find a way.
todyoung over 5 years ago
Makes me wonder what, if anything, might come out of the other ear.
Daeder over 5 years ago
It said not to blow it in your ear, but it never said not to blow it out your ear!