# unfortunate events we seem unable to eliminate **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 2, 2018, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911 "2018-11-02T21:43:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/81 "2018-11-22T12:19:58Z")
arguments about the best way to cook turkeys politicians getting wealthy while in office rubberneckers on the side of the expressway away from the accident who have to cause a jam by doing what rubberneckers do. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/82 "2018-11-23T14:30:02Z")
> [@crucible](#): > > the dog in a home with adults suddenly snapping when “Snap” is most often a code word meaning “I have no idea how to read a dog’s communication\* so I didn’t see this coming.” \*There are typically three reasons for the inability to understand dog body language and behavior: laziness (this isn’t rocket science, anyone can learn if interested), incapacity (as in mental or intellectual disability), and plain old stupidity (possibly intoxication-induced). ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2018, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/83 "2018-11-23T14:42:58Z")
I know that CP symmetry _can_ be violated. But I think trying to eliminate it altogether would be a mistake. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/84 "2018-11-24T22:02:40Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > “Snap” is most often a code word meaning “I have no idea how to read a dog’s communication\* so I didn’t see this coming.” > > \*There are typically three reasons for the inability to understand dog body language and behavior: laziness (this isn’t rocket science, anyone can learn if interested), incapacity (as in mental or intellectual disability), and plain old stupidity (possibly intoxication-induced). Exactly! > [@Pit Bulls (continued)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bulls-continued/670714/1212): > > dogs do not simply snap and attack with no warning. Many idiots don’t know a warning when they see one. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/85 "2018-11-24T22:43:33Z")
> [@rat\_avatar](#): > > You forgot > > You are twice as likely to be killed by lightning and 2650 time more likely to be killed by the flu than a dog…and the problem is the people who have them and not the breed. The crappy owners will just switch to Rottweilers or Dobermans or what ever breed that they think is “bad ass”. > > As a breed american staffordshire terriers are very friendly if people don’t result to BS alpha roles and other bullshit. What are the stats for hit by lightning as opposed to bit by dogs? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/86 "2018-11-24T23:15:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What are the stats for hit by lightning as opposed to bit by dogs? Annually in the U.S. = 4.7 million dog bites, 800,000 requiring medical care > **[Dog Bite Statistics (Most Common Breeds & How Likely Are You To Get Bit?)](https://www.caninejournal.com/dog-bite-statistics/)** > > Are there really as many dog bites as we think there are? Is one breed responsible for them all? We'll give you the facts in this article. About 500 lightning strikes (about 10% fatal) > **[Lightning strike | Epidemiology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning_strike#Epidemiology)** > > Lightning strikes can injure humans in several different ways: So a dog bite requiring medical care is a little over 1000 times more likely than being struck by lightning, which seems roughly in accord with intuition to me. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/87 "2018-11-25T00:08:11Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > Oh, and _dogs aren’t humans._ Good lord. Next you’re going to say that swatting a fly is equivalent to the holocaust. Dogs aren’t human, but dogs are _ **sentient** _. Flies are not. Perhaps you’re not, either, given your poor reasoning on this subject and apparent total lack of empathy. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/88 "2018-11-25T03:34:59Z")
Potential remediation for **begbert2** , although the almost complete absence of empathy suggests that it’s probably a lost cause: > **[Watch Dogs | Netflix Official Site](https://www.netflix.com/title/80191036)** > > These heartwarming stories explore the abiding emotional bonds that form between dogs and their caregivers, no matter the circumstances. From a review: In the episodes I’ve seen, there is one constant – the near-infinite aptitude of dogs for positive responsiveness and dependability. The family in Cincinnati is facing fraught emotional times when Rory comes to help take care of Corrine. The other girls in the family are bitterly disappointed that the dog cannot really be theirs, too. Rory must bond primarily with Corrine. And still, in the end, he is just there, as if comprehending everything intuitively, kind and responsive to all of them. … It would be true to say that the primary accomplishment of this excellent series – a must-see – is its celebration of the intimate, sometimes tear-inducing relationship between people and their dogs. And equally true to say it is simply gorgeous and gravely pensive. As gravely pensive, in fact, as the eyes of that young girl waiting for the dog who will help with her care and be her constant companion. > **[Dogs on Netflix: A must-see masterpiece about our canine companions and us](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-dogs-on-netflix-a-must-see-masterpiece-about-our-canine-companions/)** > > This six-part docu-series transcends the genre of merely uplifting animal stories to stand as a complex portrait of families and individuals as we live now Turns out, FTR, that dogs are not at all like houseflies. ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/89 "2018-12-20T19:13:56Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > “Snap” is most often a code word meaning “I have no idea how to read a dog’s communication\* so I didn’t see this coming.” > > \*There are typically three reasons for the inability to understand dog body language and behavior: laziness (this isn’t rocket science, anyone can learn if interested), incapacity (as in mental or intellectual disability), and plain old stupidity (possibly intoxication-induced). yes, but… people get dogs, many get pit bulls or some other dog that has a reputation, and find they are cuddly, sweet, tongue licking fur babies…and they don’t have a clue about dog ‘language’. Then, one day, an unforeseen new stimulus is added to the equation. A situation unusual for their circumstance. Dogs react to these things, are nervous, shaky, anxious… and the owner calms them down. All is well until the owner isn’t right there the next time this stimulus happens – a neighbor’s kid or baby in a stroller, someone with a dog of their own, etc. etc…and the dog has had enough and attacks…and, if it is a pit bull or doberman or rotty…some sort of dog like that…it can kill. Other dogs will also attack, but often, as soon as they do, they are shocked by their own behavior and they stop. Or, they bite but not badly enough to kill. That is real world, not some fantasy world where pit bulls are nanny dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/90 "2018-12-21T17:35:01Z")
> [@crucible](#): > > Other dogs will also attack, but often, as soon as they do, they are shocked by their own behavior and they stop. Or, they bite but not badly enough to kill. Real world – other dogs do not have some magical “governor” that “shocks them by their own behavior.” What keeps fatalities caused by other dogs from showing up in the news feed is selective reporting, not breed tendencies. This is well documented by researchers and veterinarians, AND I’ve told you before. So why do you repeat this fantasy? Here’s data once again from the National Canine Research Council: > [@](#): > > News reports of dog bite-related fatalities and serious injuries often > imply that the dog or dogs involved were purebred members of one > recognized breed or another. The effect on the public consciousness > is amplified by the imbalance in press coverage of dog bite events > depending upon the breed descriptor assigned. One researcher > tracked four incidents of severe dog bite injury during a four-day > period in 2007. One of these incidents resulted in a human death. > The one case attributed to two “pit bulls,” which was not the > fatal incident, generated 230 newspaper articles. The other three > incidents were attributed to other types of dogs: the two nonfatal > injuries generated one story each and the fatality was covered in two > articles. 51 This enormous variance in media coverage has led to a > widely held perception that some groups of dogs present a greater > risk of injuring people than others and therefore should be eliminated > from the population, or be subject to ownership restrictions as a > public health risk. > > Such conclusions have not held up under scientific scrutiny, however. > A 2013 large-scale study of dog bite-related fatalities found that > media identification of the breeds of dogs involved was extremely > unreliable. 52 Evidence of pedigree or reliable documentation of mixed- > breed ancestry were almost never available, and even after including > expert identification of photographic evidence, a reliable breed > attribution could be made in only 18 percent of the cases; among that > small percentage, 20 different recognized breeds were represented. Source (.pdf warning): [https://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/sites/default/files/Dog-Bites-Problems-and-Solutions-2nd-Edition\_0.pdf](https://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/sites/default/files/Dog-Bites-Problems-and-Solutions-2nd-Edition_0.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/91 "2019-02-24T05:22:50Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > Real world – other dogs do not have some magical “governor” that “shocks them by their own behavior.” What keeps fatalities caused by other dogs from showing up in the news feed is selective reporting, not breed tendencies. This is well documented by researchers and veterinarians, AND I’ve told you before. > > So why do you repeat this fantasy? > > Here’s data once again from the National Canine Research Council: > > Source (.pdf warning): [https://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/sites/default/files/Dog-Bites-Problems-and-Solutions-2nd-Edition\_0.pdf](https://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/sites/default/files/Dog-Bites-Problems-and-Solutions-2nd-Edition_0.pdf) so what? get rid of all dogs, then. we can’t trust any of them… what do we owe dogs? or cats, for that matter??? Not that I trust your cites scholarship, just that I know that pit bulls are pretty damned dangerous to have around. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/92 "2019-02-24T06:16:28Z")
> [@crucible](#): > > so what? get rid of all dogs, then. we can’t trust any of them… what do we owe dogs? or cats, for that matter??? Not that I trust your cites scholarship, just that I know that pit bulls are pretty damned dangerous to have around. Monsignor, by that kind of “let God find His own” reasoning, we might as well nuke the world. After all, there is always some murderous sonabitch someplace… ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/93 "2019-02-24T07:29:36Z")
> [@crucible](#): > > so what? get rid of all dogs, then. we can’t trust any of them… what do we owe dogs? or cats, for that matter??? Not that I trust your cites scholarship, just that I know that pit bulls are pretty damned dangerous to have around. How do you “just know”? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/94 "2019-02-24T09:59:46Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > To be fair to the OP we haven’t eliminated people being killed by lightning either, and that’s unfortunate. We’ve lowered it significantly however, thanks to the invention of the lightning rod. I doubt that we’d have nearly as many tall buildings without it. Heh, I recall reading how due to early Christian opposition to lightning rods (based on the idea that lightning was God’s wrath), there was a period where churches tended to get zapped over and over while other buildings were spared due to the combination of no lightning rods and church steeples often being the tallest thing in town. The symbolism was a bit embarrassing. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/95 "2019-02-24T12:11:52Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > We may not be able to eliminate _all_ drunk driving fatalities, but we have eliminated half of them since 1982 (.[pdf](https://www.responsibility.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Alcohol-Impaired-Driving-Fatalities-1982-2016.pdf)). > > 1982 = 21,113 U.S. drunk driving fatalities > 2016 = 10,497 U.S. drunk driving fatalities > > About 350,000 lives have been saved. And that’s despite a great deal of population growth and the attendant growth in vehicle miles driven. So it’s even more impressive than it looks. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/96 "2019-02-24T14:30:38Z")
Why is this thread back in rotation? Oh, right … ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/97 "2019-02-24T15:36:09Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > non-linear thinker! I would like to reduce excessive verbosity as above. You could eliminate either the second or the third word, and make the sentence shorter and more accurate both. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/98 "2019-02-24T15:37:35Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > Okay, let’s just break this down. > > You talked about killings done by shelters, of unwanted animals. Unless you’re claiming that shelters go out and kidnap other people’s pets? No? So no, you can’t rationally assume that my casual approval of shelters’ policies includes approval of the theft and destruction of other peoples’ property. > > Oh, and _dogs aren’t humans._ Good lord. Next you’re going to say that swatting a fly is equivalent to the holocaust. I’m in total agreement with you that dogs aren’t humans. OTOH, if there was room in the lifeboat for you _or_ for a friendly dog… ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/99 "2019-02-24T15:41:03Z")
I’m tired of all the bitching without solutions being offered. While this is a time-tested phenomenon, as arrested by Mark Twain, we’re gonna change that right now. I’ll tackle number 3: we will eliminate kids at bus stops being hurt by inattentive drivers, by making bus stops illegal for anyone under 18 to frequent. I already dashed out a letter to my senators. That taken care of, I need you guys to pick each of the other ones, and solve them practically and cost-effectively. Conference call Tuesday 11:15 AM EST. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911/100 "2019-02-24T23:29:35Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > I’m tired of all the bitching without solutions being offered. While this is a time-tested phenomenon, as arrested by Mark Twain, we’re gonna change that right now. […] That taken care of, I need you guys to pick each of the other ones, and solve them practically and cost-effectively. Conference call Tuesday 11:15 AM EST. [Come on boffins, let’s sort this out once and for all!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr4ipujOv_E) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-events-we-seem-unable-to-eliminate/823911.md?page=6)