“I Asked Him Whether He Was Tired Of Living”: 61 People Who Surprised Others With Their Lack Of Common Sense

Some experts may disagree with the notion of “common sense.” One typical argument is that it isn’t universal, where one’s environment growing up differs from another, and therefore, shapes varying forms of logic. 

“Why do so many people misspell 'lose' as 'loose’? Why do so many people say 'literally' when they mean 'figuratively'? 'Common' isn't a good enough criterion to make something true,” author and researcher Dr. Christopher Dwyer wrote in an article for Psychology Today.

However, as you will notice while scrolling through, the context in this case revolves around common sense regarding the basic definitions of courtesy. We all frown upon actions that may cause friction with another person, whether it be showing disrespect or acting in a way that could put people in potential danger. 

A study by the University of Oxford found that people generally tend to favor someone who adheres to common-sense morality. Specifically, findings revealed that a person who refuses to eliminate a single individual to save the lives of many others is considered more trustworthy compared to someone who would go the opposite route. 

According to Cornell University professor David Pizarro, one of the experts who worked on the study, “(It’s) not because they are sticklers for the letter of the law, but because the rules themselves tend to emphasize the absolute importance of respecting the wishes and desires of others.”

London-based psychologist Dr. Jane McCartney shared her definition of common sense. As she stated in an interview with The Independent, it’s “the ability to imagine the consequences of something you do.” 

Given that definition, evolutionary psychologist Bruce Charlston concluded in a study that people with higher IQ tend to struggle more with common sense because they “over-use general intelligence in problem-solving” and subsequently “override instinctive and spontaneous forms of evolved behavior” often associated with basic logic.

"When it comes to solving social problems, the most intelligent people are more likely than those of average intelligence to have novel but silly ideas, and therefore to believe and behave maladaptively,” Charleston said in his study. 

There appears to be a notion that young people today lack common sense. Many from older generations have shared this complaint. But according to experts like licensed therapist and California Behavioral Health medical director Melissa Legere, it’s more likely that young people are more focused on adapting to a fast-paced world. 

“They have to deal with changes in technology, social norms, and ways of communication that are radically distinct from previous generations,” Legere told Bored Panda. “This change in focus and attention shifts what is commonly regarded as common sense.”

Likewise, licensed psychologist Clary Tepper refuses to subscribe to the idea that common sense is lost among young people. She noted that common sense itself varies across generations and used the example of many older folks falling for phishing scams simply because they lived in a different time. 

“Young people tend to be very good at solving problems when technology is involved,” Tepper pointed out, adding that most of them grew up in a time when abstract reasoning and digital literacy were emphasized over hands-on practical skills.

For Los Angeles-based psychologist Dr. Rita Eichenstein, the digital environment shapes a young person’s approach to the world. As she explained, growing up in a highly structured, screen-based world where answers are instant gives people fewer chances for trial-and-error learning that builds judgment.

“Society has shifted from hands-on interaction to digital immersion, and practical reasoning hasn’t had equal room to develop. Kids are over-educated in some ways but are seriously under-educated in life,” Dr. Eichenstein said. 

The perception of common sense may vary, but we all know what actions could potentially put others and ourselves at risk. Calling out a person who behaves in a way that violates that general notion would be necessary, according to Legere. However, the conversation must begin with empathy and understanding. 

“The intended behaviors should be described and the potential consequences of such actions discussed,” she said.

For Tepper, it all boils down to nurturing. She urges parents to encourage their children to think critically and to get them used to arriving at their own answers. At the same time, she also advises modeling practical reasoning and decision-making. 

“Kids need to see that we all need to consider the impact our behavior has on others,” Tepper said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Eichenstein also pointed out the potential dangers of the lack of common sense, such as crossing the street while texting. For that, she offered a “simple and doable” solution: 

“More real-world engagement, more human interaction, and structured opportunities for practice. Common sense grows where real experience lives.”