All around us we have security. Schools have cops, grocery stores have pensioners, and offices have guys in cheap sport coats and walkie talkies. You have a PIN for your debit card, perhaps a badge for getting in and out of work, and a password for your computer. We live in a secure world. But it’s all just making you feel safe.
I don’t think it’s really made us safer. Let’s look at me. I work in a secure office that has gone so far as to implement biometric identification in order to get in. I have to get special access to floors that aren’t mine. Sounds like they can keep people out pretty easily. Except I can still use my ID card instead. And since almost everyone wheres this card on their clothes it would be easy for someone to swipe while standing in line at the local Chinese take-out joint. And once that person has your badge they don’t need your biometrics to get on your floor. Or if they want to get on someone else’s floor you just have to follow someone.
Same thing goes in my apartment. It’s seemingly secure, but to get inside all you have to do is climb the gates that leave enough space at the top for even a morbidly obese person to fit through. Then the only thing separating you from a bag guy is a deadbolt, which is only as secure as you’ve seen on cop shows or in movies.
Back at work, and in many places around town, you’ll find security guards too. They stand at entrances, exits, and high traffic areas. Some of them might be buff, others are seniors or folks of tiny stature. It isn’t their job to stop something bad from happening, it’s mostly to observe and report. But really, they’re mostly there to contribute to the false sense of security we’ve become accustomed too.
So with all of these security measures in place how come we don’t hear about issues more often? Well at my apartment we had trouble all the time. Cars in our secured entry parking deck were broken into and had wheels stolen on an unsurprising basis. People do get into office buildings but companies and governments aren’t going to announce it. They have nothing to gain by doing so. And one trip to the mall is all you need to see a security guard observing and reporting.
But really, breaches of security just aren’t frequent enough to make people worried. And that’s good I guess. It means that generally speaking human beings are good (or at least just not bad). But I don’t like the false sense of security provided by measures that only hold back evil doers with an IQ below 90.
It’s this same false sense of security that always makes us so surprised when the stock market tanks. Every year there is some kind of unforeseen panic (see last paragraph of linked post).
Photo: rainy city
 By The Weakonomist |
The Weakonomist is the founder of Weakonomics. Clicking the picture of the puppy will tell you more about him. If you like what you're reading consider subscribing to the blog, following him on Twitter, and checking out the related posts below. Please consider a donation if you really enjoy Weakonomics. Also keep in mind that nothing I say can be construed as financial advice. |
