I don’t mean that literally, of course, I don’t recall ever discussing the legend of Icarus with Daddy Gob. And as one of his favorite granddaughters, I don’t recall him ever telling me I’d failed. No, what I mean is, he was only focused on the negative consequences of actions.
He was cautious and careful, which suited him well in his work at the GE Factory. It was also a requirement for his work as a volunteer, then captain, of the Rescue Squad. I remember my mom telling me that as she was growing up, she heard about all the accidents that could easily have been prevented.
Don’t let the kids stand up at the bathtub. Don’t take your eyes off the road even for a split-second, not for anything. Don’t go out on the boat even if you’re the best swimmer on Earth. Don’t, don’t, don’t do anything even remotely resembling something that could possibly be risky.
If you’ve read my blog post, Don’t Be Small, I’m sure you can imagine what I think of this type of advice. But just in case, here’s a quick recap: