Dear Common Sense: What exactly is common sense?

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, NE CO Newsroom, Rocky Mountain Voice

Dear Common Sense,

What exactly is common sense? People talk about it like it’s supposed to be obvious, but honestly, it feels like it’s in short supply these days. Is it just street smarts, or something deeper?

Your’s truly,

Done with Non-Sense

Dear Done with Non-Sense,

First off, thank you for the question. You’re not alone in asking it. These days, common sense might feel like Bigfoot: a lot of people talk about it, but few have actually seen it in the wild.

So what is common sense?

It’s that inner voice that whispers, “Hey genius, maybe don’t try to dry your socks in the microwave.” Or in my case, the voice I should’ve listened to when I agreed to ride barefoot on the handlebars of a Schwinn bicycle. Let’s just say my toes got far too acquainted with the spokes, and I learned the hard way: pain is a pretty good teacher, but it’s not the only one.

Common sense isn’t high IQ or some mystical download from the universe. It’s practical wisdom where most people live, rooted in reality, experience, and good judgment. It’s the ability to see what’s obvious and act accordingly—the everyday kind of smart your grandma used when she told you not to run with scissors.

It’s called common sense, not because it’s common, but because it’s meant to be shared. It builds bridges (that’s called common ground), helps us compare apples to apples (that’s the common denominator), and, most importantly, it protects us from ourselves.

So, dear reader, trust your gut, along with the other aspects of wisdom; learn from your mistakes (and mine), and remember: “If it doesn’t feel wise, don’t do it barefoot on a bike.”

With a smile and some scars,

Mr. Common Sense

Got a question for Mr. Common Sense?

Send your honest inquiry to [email protected], and we may feature it in a future column. No shouting. No spin. Just a little clarity in a confused world.

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.