By: Stephen Stanley

Stephen Stanley — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:24:57 +0000

What you’re discussing is the classic “slippery slope” argument. While I agree, no one sets out to be Bernie Madoff, most people who cheat a little never progress past cheating a little. Likewise, a casual snipe in the lunchroom may be the predecessor of a culture similar to that of “The Office,” I’m not expecting Jenna Fisher to apply to be our new receptionist. My parents often told me growing up, “if you never take the first drink, you’ll never be an alcoholic.” While true, following it would have deprived me of the joys of a good glass of wine or a microbrew with friends – I hate to think of drinking root beer or cream soda at my favorite beer-geek mecca. In a perfect world, everyone would behave perfectly. Unfortunately, we don’t live in that world but we don’t live in the “slippery slope” world either. Let’s leave that kind of argumentation to politicians and pundits and acknowledge that these “little things” behaviors are, while not acceptable, inevitable and not attempt to make perfect the enemy of good.

Comments on: Death By a Thousand Cuts

By: Stephen Stanley