Even perfect human systems still function at the mercy of the slowest common human denominator, the base limit of the laziest of those minds involved. In a society where both conscious, critical thought and a general sense of personal responsibility seem progressively, exponentially less common, we find ourselves with the paradox of both evolving machines and a regressing population. We waste a great deal of time tinkering with and comparing already perfect, good, or at least adequate systems – though ideally they would all be perfect, naturally – when the preponderance of the problem is in fact the presence and prowess of the individuals at work within and working the system(s). Human participation unfortunately renders even ideal systems imperfect, and we continue to suffer the same mistakes until we are able to cultivate a society interested in trying to be awake. Instead, we are regularly confronted with the evidence of a people on autopilot.
Dog parks often have a double-gated entrance, to insure against pet exit. Today, an oblivious family managed to leave both gates open long enough for one of our dogs to make it out onto the sidewalk, an escape that for a variety of reasons should never have come close to taking place. Given that this gate led almost directly onto the street, the chance for the situation to have become something more serious was high. Everything ended well, fortunately. However, it did leave me considering the kind of cage it is to see how things could be better and to simply not understand the simplest actions of those around you.
The double gate is a good, solid, simple system. Only a human could be stupid enough to screw it up.
