Ok, I work with a person that lacks any sort of basic common sense. I am truly amazed at the decisions that this person makes. This person will make the most idiotic decision then wonder why they are getting bitched out.... does not seem to learn from thier mistakes.

This got me thinking, is common sense something you learn or is it genetic/imprinted into us? I don't feel it is an education thing. I know people that are highly education yet really clueless in many areas. on the other hand I know people that are high school drops out but have a good head on thier shoulders as for as day to day decision making.

so..................what do you think????

Nature vs. nurture.

I'll go with nurture on this one.

Idiots are typically raised by idiots. Of course there are exceptions to the rule but that has been my experience.

Did you hire the guy?




Kidding aside, I think you are right that common isn't *entirely* related to education level. I know some pretty simple folk that have great common sense, and some really smart people who have none.

Simply put...I think it boils down to how a man or woman thinks, and how much of it they engage in.

EDIT: ...and that's purely genetic. Some people have it and always have, some don't and and never will.

Most people have a set of priorities that they use when they make decisions. Some people have those priorities in the wrong order making their decisions suspect and some people are just idiots.

Born with it. Have a friend who has two daughters. One bright as hell but the thought process........ once drove her car 20 miles with the temp light on to get to a party. Did not think it was that important. The other OK in school but not a overachiever BUT the girl is the salt of the earth and thinks her way through most anything. Go figure.

man, good point.

I was going to go with stinky on this one. You know the apple and the tree metephore. but what you said is right. I know families the same way.

Priorities is a good point as well.

There's a old Spanish phrase.

It goes along the lines of:

Only foolish women marry foolish men,
So their children are doubly damned.

very true.

I guess what irritates me the most is that they don't seem to learn from thier mistakes.

Making the same mistake over and over and over expecting different results each time. Isn't that the definition of insanity?

It's the hardest thing to find when hiring someone. Experience and skills yeah but common sense is rare.

I think it has more to do with people who just don't wish to apply themselves.

+ many

I've found that some (definately not all) of the people we've hired would like a check for simply showing up and going through the motions. No drive, no common sense. Just "I showed up, now pay me."

Common sense=Look out side the box before pulling the trigger.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

It's weather they can do that timely or not??????.

You and Stlhead are right. It is a matter of giving a $hit.

Just to set the record straight, I did not hire this person, they work on my team. Complete dead weight and unfortunetly cannot be fired this year due to contract/union issues............

SW got it almost right.

Nature AND Nuture.

Idiots usually raise idiots, but there are exceptions, just as smart folks sometimes end up with prodigal carbon units they wish they didn't have to lay claim to. Over time genetics incorporate nurture that is successful because, well . . ., it succeeds.

Makes a person wonder at times how certain people manage to get through life, unable to make a single intelligent decision. Sh!t house luck is amazing that way.

Sg

And luck fails the government is there to lend a helping hand.