According to etymonline.com, the phrase “common sense” came about in the 14-century to describe an “internal mental power supposed to unite…the impressions conveyed by the five physical senses.” In the 1500’s, it described, “‘ordinary understanding, without which one is foolish or insane.'” In the 1700’s it referred to “‘good sense'” and in the 1850’s, according to the site, it was used as an adjective where something was “‘characterized by common sense.'”

“Common sense,” is quite subjective, apparently. These days, we see and hear from all walks – media, politicians, family-members, friends and co-workers – with lots to share (opinions mostly) and when you take it all in, to say that “sense” is “common” seems like a bit of an overstatement. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, people have to be repeatedly told how to wash their hands or wear a mask covering both their mouths and noses. A couple of years ago, people had to be told not to eat laundry soap and shortly thereafter, I watched press conferences extolling the dangers of intentionally setting one’s self fire.

While I assume “common sense” was always a subjective concept – common to a majority of like-cultured, like-experienced individuals and varied between different groups – some ideas and ideals just seem like they should be common to humanity. But alas, they don’t always seem to be and for those of us watching (you know, the ones who think we have “superior levels of ‘common sense'”) it can be frustrating – or entertaining.

I prefer to be entertained by it; at least when my frustration doesn’t get the better of me. I use sarcasm as therapy to get through the week and try to give my opinions in the form of quips, jokes and funny images. I can’t state everything I think, feel and know in 140-characters or less, so I’ve decided, instead, to create this blog. I’m not sure if I will write, create images or a bit of both, but lets see how it goes.