There's tremendous value in avoiding risks. Why some people sit in the path of violent storms, including human-made ones, while others get themselves to safety
Hi James....Funny that you should write about this as two storms are headed my way here in Minnesota. One thing for sure is that there are only two seasons here....Winter and the Fourth of July. Winter is more certain than is July 4th...but the snow is always gone by then. I could never understand wanting to live near water. Our family history shows that water is the enemy, even if you don't see it. Like owning property in the desert and having a water heater blow up and leak while away.....like ice dams on a shady side of a dwelling. 'Nuff said....never set up camp downstream from the herd! Confucius did not say that, but it was always on his mind and he kept it a secret from others so the site could be enjoyed. Why do we stay here?.....because it is close to Canada! The PM there reads a lot and understands what he reads. Peace!
Having lived in an ice tundra for a bit over 10 years, the largest desert in the Middle East for five, and then the largest desert in Europe, I have sympathy with your plight, Bob. And I have a soft spot for readers. Even better those that comprehend.
I agree about readers, James. There are fewer of them today than a few years ago. Most seem to be busy with way too many other things. Comprehension may be buried in the noise often found in scrolling...zzzzZZZZPeace!
James, did you know ahead of time when you took those recent pictures that you'd be writing about the risk of living where you do?
I agree with you that the weather can definitely make you question your stay, but it's becoming more perilous to pick a neutral, peaceful place to abide.
The dysfunction I see in Europe only currently offers a safer alternative to the "stormy" weather back in the US. Not to mention the expense.
Hello, Ralph. I often take pictures with the idea that they might serve as accompaniments to an article, without knowing what that article might be. We were surprised by Hurricane Helene, having spent much time looking for a place largely free from natural disasters. Haha, Mother Nature is not easily fooled. A reminder that for all our plans, we cannot eliminate all risk.
Only a power and Internet outage, same as many others. Widespread flooding and tree damage all around us, but we were spared. Have I mentioned my strange good luck?
History is a fine teacher, if only we take the lessons, right, VN? Philosophy adds either a sense of meaning or ways to put the lessons in perspective. No studying rewards the student more, in my view
Trees exploding as the sun tests their icy skins, bears pawing at the door to be let in and burrows hiding varmints that chew back all human endeavors still beats Greenville traffic.
Sounds like you’ve made a good choice, Mathieu. Glad to hear it. I remember reading happiness research that found people were remarkably good at adapting to new circumstances, both personal and in their environments, with baseline happiness recovering from adverse events. One significant exception was the frustration from traffic-heavy commutes does not attenuate.
Having changed locations many, many, many times all over the world, I am happily toughing it out in my forever home watching the March blizzard unfold after beach weather a few days ago. Why? I dunno. I think I am happy to be permanent--every location has its really goods and really bads. My grandkids are here---place attachment. Good piece, James.
Psychology certainly plays a major role here. Even if a person perceives his/her status quo as risky (which is not always the case), they probably understand that moving to a new place is also a major risk by itself. So, the question is not only about avoiding the current, existing risk, but comparing it to the future, mostly unknown risk. Unless people know (or they think they know) how to minimize the future, unknown risk, they will be very reluctant to change their status quo. Hence - the status quo bias.
Hi James....Funny that you should write about this as two storms are headed my way here in Minnesota. One thing for sure is that there are only two seasons here....Winter and the Fourth of July. Winter is more certain than is July 4th...but the snow is always gone by then. I could never understand wanting to live near water. Our family history shows that water is the enemy, even if you don't see it. Like owning property in the desert and having a water heater blow up and leak while away.....like ice dams on a shady side of a dwelling. 'Nuff said....never set up camp downstream from the herd! Confucius did not say that, but it was always on his mind and he kept it a secret from others so the site could be enjoyed. Why do we stay here?.....because it is close to Canada! The PM there reads a lot and understands what he reads. Peace!
Having lived in an ice tundra for a bit over 10 years, the largest desert in the Middle East for five, and then the largest desert in Europe, I have sympathy with your plight, Bob. And I have a soft spot for readers. Even better those that comprehend.
I agree about readers, James. There are fewer of them today than a few years ago. Most seem to be busy with way too many other things. Comprehension may be buried in the noise often found in scrolling...zzzzZZZZPeace!
James, did you know ahead of time when you took those recent pictures that you'd be writing about the risk of living where you do?
I agree with you that the weather can definitely make you question your stay, but it's becoming more perilous to pick a neutral, peaceful place to abide.
The dysfunction I see in Europe only currently offers a safer alternative to the "stormy" weather back in the US. Not to mention the expense.
Batten down the hatches, huh?
Timely talk, my friend. Thank you.
Hello, Ralph. I often take pictures with the idea that they might serve as accompaniments to an article, without knowing what that article might be. We were surprised by Hurricane Helene, having spent much time looking for a place largely free from natural disasters. Haha, Mother Nature is not easily fooled. A reminder that for all our plans, we cannot eliminate all risk.
Yeah, James, the weather that hit your area with vengeance surprised me too.
Did you suffer any damage at your place?
Only a power and Internet outage, same as many others. Widespread flooding and tree damage all around us, but we were spared. Have I mentioned my strange good luck?
You have mentioned your string of good fortune, my friend.
The gods have been kind to you.
You prompted me to look at history. Honestly, I see that everything is fine and unfolding exactly as it should....
History is a fine teacher, if only we take the lessons, right, VN? Philosophy adds either a sense of meaning or ways to put the lessons in perspective. No studying rewards the student more, in my view
Trees exploding as the sun tests their icy skins, bears pawing at the door to be let in and burrows hiding varmints that chew back all human endeavors still beats Greenville traffic.
You might try planting more exploding trees near the doors to ward off bears and varmints…
Sounds like you’ve made a good choice, Mathieu. Glad to hear it. I remember reading happiness research that found people were remarkably good at adapting to new circumstances, both personal and in their environments, with baseline happiness recovering from adverse events. One significant exception was the frustration from traffic-heavy commutes does not attenuate.
Having changed locations many, many, many times all over the world, I am happily toughing it out in my forever home watching the March blizzard unfold after beach weather a few days ago. Why? I dunno. I think I am happy to be permanent--every location has its really goods and really bads. My grandkids are here---place attachment. Good piece, James.
Psychology certainly plays a major role here. Even if a person perceives his/her status quo as risky (which is not always the case), they probably understand that moving to a new place is also a major risk by itself. So, the question is not only about avoiding the current, existing risk, but comparing it to the future, mostly unknown risk. Unless people know (or they think they know) how to minimize the future, unknown risk, they will be very reluctant to change their status quo. Hence - the status quo bias.