Warning Labels
I had the TV on the other day (I’d say most of the time, the tv is background noise as there is little new that’s worth watching) and one of those drug commercials came on. I wouldn’t have remembered it all (and don’t remember what drug or condition it was meant to treat) but at the point in the drug commercial where they show you fleeting tranquil scenes while quickly reading the reported side effects, the announcer said to not to take this drug if you are allergic to it. All I could think of was “no dog doo-doo Sherlock!”
Then I started wondering why some highly paid lawyer that reviews potential commercials for compliance insisted that this particular qualification be stated. The only thing I could think of was that some patient, at some time, knew they were allergic to some chemical and, likely, so did their doctor. Somehow, the person was prescribed this drug even though the doctor likely knew they were allergic to it. Something bad happened and the patient sued the doctor and, because the pharmaceutical company had bigger pockets, the pharmaceutical company too. That’s where we are as a society. Everyone expects someone else to look out for them. The problem is that the more we demand that someone ensure our well being, the more documentation is needed in case the result isn’t good.
Case in point, how many people have agreed to a companies terms and conditions without reading them? Just so you know, if you say not me, I don’t believe you.
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” - 1 Peter 5:1-11 ESV
It is good that we have some legally provided protections. No one wants to go back to the days when Heinz catsup was created to cover the taste of potentially rotting meat for sale in grocery stores. But we can’t be protected from every potential bad result and should be responsible for our decisions. In other words, there must be balance.
In case your interested, I found a web site of a few of the Captain Obvious warning labels (there were many more):
• On a wheel barrow - not intended for highway use
• On a baby stroller - remove child before folding
• On an electric drill - not intended for dental work
• On a box of rat poison - may cause cancer in rats
• On an iron on pattern - take off shirt before ironing on the pattern
• On a pack of fire place logs - risk of fire
In case you’re wondering, I’m pretty sure one of the first silly warnings that I can recall happened when I was a young man and a person bought a coffee from McDonalds and spilled it in their lap. They sued McDonalds because McDonalds didn’t warn them that the coffee may be hot (and to not spill it in their laps I suppose).
