Here is a little analogy, about snakes.

[fantome profane]

Just something to think about.

Imagine you are visiting a zoo that has a special snake exhibit. You go in to see all the snakes.

They have thousands of snakes there, all different sizes and types, some very huge, some small, some very beautiful. And they will even let you touch some of the snakes.

Of course some snakes are very dangerous. You can’t get to close to those ones.

You see this snake and you want to touch it, to hold it. But you can’t. The sign says this is one of the most poisonous snakes in the world.

But then I come along and I and the director in charge of the snake exhibit, I am in charge of all the snakes here, I have absolute authority here. I can change the sign.

I take out my little rubber stamp and stamp “safe” over this exhibit. I do all the paperwork, I have the authority, everything is perfectly legal.



Do you want to pick up the snake?

 

[Aštra’el]

That is a beautiful snake.

 

[fantome profane]

That is a beautiful snake.

It is. Do you want to pet it. I can just cross out the word poisonous and write in the word safe.

 

[SomeRandom]

This reminds me of the “deadliest viper in the world” or something to that effect in Lemony Snickett’s Series of Unfortunate Events.
The title was a joke by the discoverer, it was actually a gentle snake who wouldn’t hurt a fly

But as to wanting to pick up the snake in the OP.
Umm no. Even in Australia, a snake that is not poisonous can still cause you some trouble lol

 

[Aštra’el]

It is. Do you want to pet it. I can just cross out the word poisonous and write in the word safe.

I do want to pet it. That species is extremely chill and even when it does bite it rarely even injects venom.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Do you want to pick up the snake?

What's the intent of the analogy?

 

[danieldemol]

Just something to think about.

Imagine you are visiting a zoo that has a special snake exhibit. You go in to see all the snakes.

View attachment 65425

View attachment 65426

They have thousands of snakes there, all different sizes and types, some very huge, some small, some very beautiful. And they will even let you touch some of the snakes.

Of course some snakes are very dangerous. You can’t get to close to those ones.

View attachment 65428

You see this snake and you want to touch it, to hold it. But you can’t. The sign says this is one of the most poisonous snakes in the world.

But then I come along and I and the director in charge of the snake exhibit, I am in charge of all the snakes here, I have absolute authority here. I can change the sign.

I take out my little rubber stamp and stamp “safe” over this exhibit. I do all the paperwork, I have the authority, everything is perfectly legal.



Do you want to pick up the snake?

No. But i don't get your analogy, aren't you supposed to liken this to an actual situation for it to be an analogy?

In my opinion

 

[Aštra’el]

View attachment 65428
You see this snake and you want to touch it, to hold it. But you can’t. The sign says this is one of the most poisonous snakes in the world.

Except it’s not, and the sign is wrong. If the sign says “poisonous” then I probably know more about their snakes then they do.

But then I come along and I and the director in charge of the snake exhibit, I am in charge of all the snakes here, I have absolute authority here. I can change the sign.

I’d roll my eyes.

It is. Do you want to pet it. I can just cross out the word poisonous and write in the word safe.

Whether or not I choose to pet the beautiful snake, what I would do is cross out the word “poisonous” and write “venomous”.

 

[Heyo]

Do you want to pick up the snake?

I think it is happy in the water, I don't want to take it out.

And I'm still wearing a mask when entering shops etc. Even so Covid has been relabelled as "safe", I don't want to catch it.

 

[fantome profane]

Except it’s not, and the sign is wrong. If the sign says “poisonous” then I probably know more about their snakes then they do.


I’d roll my eyes.


Whether or not I choose to pet the beautiful snake, what I would do is cross out the word “poisonous” and write “venomous”.

If you are basing your opinion on the picture, don’t. I just googled poisonous snake, the picture is irrelevant. The scenario is this. There is a dangerous poisonous venomous snake. The experts (of which I am not) have determined this snake to be dangerous.

And then in this scenario I have the ability to change the designation to “safe”

Do you pet the snake? Or better yet, would you let a child to pet the snake.

That is the scenario, you can accept it as I have explained it, or reject it and substitute your own. Actually deciding to reject it is also an interesting and informative response, so I thank you either way.

 

[fantome profane]

What's the intent of the analogy?

No. But i don't get your analogy, aren't you supposed to liken this to an actual situation for it to be an analogy?

In my opinion

I must admit to being pleased. I was afraid my intent would be too obvious.

Here is a hint, I did not put this thread in the wrong section.

Here is some further explanation that should make it clear.


You have something that is dangerous. Dangerous to human life, perhaps dangerous to national security. Then someone with the legal authority to do so decides to reclassify it as being safe.

Does that make it safe? Do you want to pet the snake?





Is that clear enough? Here is more.

If you were the President of the United States, and you had in your possession a document that the experts say is a danger to national security if it gets out, it could get people killed. So you do a magic trick, you fold your arms and blink your eyes and bop your head at it and declare it unclassified. You have the authority to do so. But does that really make it safe? Or is it still a “snake”?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I must admit to being pleased. I was afraid my intent would be too obvious.

I don't often quote Ronald Regan, but ...

“If you're explaining, you're losing.”​

 

[fantome profane]

I don't often quote Ronald Regan, but ...

“If you're explaining, you're losing.”​

Fair enough.

 

[ChristineM]

This reminds me of the “deadliest viper in the world” or something to that effect in Lemony Snickett’s Series of Unfortunate Events.
The title was a joke by the discoverer, it was actually a gentle snake who wouldn’t hurt a fly

But as to wanting to pick up the snake in the OP.
Umm no. Even in Australia, a snake that is not poisonous can still cause you some trouble lol

Reminded me of earlier this year. Outside we have a bin for compostable kitchen waste. I took some potato peelings, opened the bin and thought, what's that who put that in here. I picked it up and it moved so dropped it very quickly... It turned out to be a viper aspis of Cleopatra fame

 

[Nakosis]

Just something to think about.

Imagine you are visiting a zoo that has a special snake exhibit. You go in to see all the snakes.

View attachment 65425

View attachment 65426

They have thousands of snakes there, all different sizes and types, some very huge, some small, some very beautiful. And they will even let you touch some of the snakes.

Of course some snakes are very dangerous. You can’t get to close to those ones.

View attachment 65428

You see this snake and you want to touch it, to hold it. But you can’t. The sign says this is one of the most poisonous snakes in the world.

But then I come along and I and the director in charge of the snake exhibit, I am in charge of all the snakes here, I have absolute authority here. I can change the sign.

I take out my little rubber stamp and stamp “safe” over this exhibit. I do all the paperwork, I have the authority, everything is perfectly legal.



Do you want to pick up the snake?

I'm pretty distrustful of authority. I'd probably, especially with snake, do my own research first.

Even if the sign said the snake was poisonous I'd still check.

 

[Estro Felino]

Something is not safe just because an authority says it is.

 

[SomeRandom]

Reminded me of earlier this year. Outside we have a bin for compostable kitchen waste. I took some potato peelings, opened the bin and thought, what's that who put that in here. I picked it up and it moved so dropped it very quickly... It turned out to be a viper aspis of Cleopatra fame

Yikes!!
My dad had a similiar encounter. Picked up what he thought was a branch. Said branch started to move. Turned out there was a snake coiled around it. Not sure what species but I don’t think he stayed to find out lol

 

[ChristineM]

Yikes!!
My dad had a similiar encounter. Picked up what he thought was a branch. Said branch started to move. Turned out there was a snake coiled around it. Not sure what species but I don’t think he stayed to find out lol

It's certainly gets your adrenaline pumping quickly

 

[SomeRandom]

It's certainly gets your adrenaline pumping quickly

That’s for sure!

I remember on a school camp, we went for a hike. And someone (meaning me) had to be the pretend bite victim for an exercise/drill. So they wrapped up my leg and carried me to camp. So we get back and I’m unwrapping myself and I look over and see a pair of eyes staring at me. I don’t think I bothered with the rest of my bandages as I rushed to tell a teacher. They managed to chase away the red belly black lurking nearby. Yeesh!

 

[Quagmire]

Just something to think about.

Imagine you are visiting a zoo that has a special snake exhibit. You go in to see all the snakes.

View attachment 65425

View attachment 65426

They have thousands of snakes there, all different sizes and types, some very huge, some small, some very beautiful. And they will even let you touch some of the snakes.

Of course some snakes are very dangerous. You can’t get to close to those ones.

View attachment 65428

You see this snake and you want to touch it, to hold it. But you can’t. The sign says this is one of the most poisonous snakes in the world.

But then I come along and I and the director in charge of the snake exhibit, I am in charge of all the snakes here, I have absolute authority here. I can change the sign.

I take out my little rubber stamp and stamp “safe” over this exhibit. I do all the paperwork, I have the authority, everything is perfectly legal.



Do you want to pick up the snake?

Well sure. Rubber stamps don't lie.