PASSING ON A HILL

On paved two-lane roads, there are solid yellow lines making it illegal to pass near the crest of any hill. And I can’t think of anyone who, when observing oncoming traffic is sparse, concludes that under the circumstances it is safe to go ahead and pass. Yet I know of many people who engage in much greater risks with barely a second thought. How do we as adults evaluate risk? How do teenagers approach risk? These questions came to the forefront a couple weeks ago when a teenage girl attempted to set a new record sailing around the world. We know now that her attempt was not lethal, but she also did not attain her goal. Had she set her record, she would have been widely praised for her effort and ambition. On the other hand, had she lost her life in her failed attempt, she and her parents would have been widely rebuked for being so foolish. But no matter how much outcomes sway public opinion, her outcome was not known when she set sail and therefore could not guide her and her family in their decision to go for it. So how does one remain objective and balanced when assessing risk? That is the million dollar question.