Benjamin Franklin's Lack Of Common Sense

On a stormy night in the summer of 1752, Benjamin Franklin, wanting to prove lightening was electricity, decided it would be a good idea to take a kite outside and fly it into the dark clouds. Although proving his theory, we can all agree, common sense was not on his side that night. However, two hundred and sixty four years ago, was it really common sense to know we don't play with kites in the midst of a thunder and lightening storm? Sometimes, as in Franklin's case, the lack of common sense can lead to discoveries and lessons learned. That night, Franklin learned that lightening is electricity, but to what cost? Lucky for him, he was only zapped. Franklin also learned an important lesson that is an easier one to remember, that has since become common sense for future generations: electricity can, and will, hurt you. For

The truth is, it is all taught. A toddler is taught not to touch the stove because it is hot, otherwise they wouldn't know until they touched it, although there are still plenty that refuse to take the word of their mother's and decide to find out on their own. Either way, the toddler knows, hot hurts. As older kids to adults, everyone knows we don't touch the stove. There are some adults, sadly, that still touch that hot stove. It's the ability to comprehend that common sense that some lack. It has been theorized that people with higher IQ's have a lower ability to comprehend common sense, in the case of Albert Einstein, who, rumor has it, couldn't tie his shoes but was able to work complex mathematical equations. On the other hand, we have the cast of the “Jackass” movies that seem to have neither intelligence nor common sense. There are also the cases of individuals who couldn't read a book beyond how to beat Koopa, yet seem to be capable of crossing a main street in the busy part of town during rush hour without getting assaulted by a passing