"What are those ropes?" My roommate asked as we stood on the shoreline.

"Those are to keep people from swimming out too far." I told him, confused as to why he didn't know. "Don't you have have those in Sweden?" I asked.

"We don't. If you can't swim well, you don't go out that far."

I'm paraphrasing a conversation with a roommate from years ago that illustrates how we often blame others for not stopping us from potential harm. Even when the cause is the result of our own misjudgment, we blame others for not preemptively stopping us.

As a society we blame others for our own misfortune. Because of this blame, swimming holes and high dives at pools have been closing. I know it sounds silly (especially with a war going to talk about problems with our countries swimming situation), but there are deeper, fundamental values of society these actions reflect. Growing up in Vermont swimming holes and high dives created some of the most memorable experience of my childhood. However, because we have become a 'sue happy society', many children will never have experiences like this.

Earlier today this sentiment was echoed by a 20/20 article titled Summer Pleasures Spoiled by Lawsuits. I agree with author in that we are loosing something valuable as we attempt to protect our own self interests. Lawyers claim that the lawsuits are targeted at negligent property ownership. I don't agree with that excuse. Because of the potential of law suits we close off, shut down, and take away access to some of life's valuable pleasures. Why have we become a sue happy society? And, why do we blame our own misfortune on everyone else but ourselves?

Photo courtesy of Peter Miller.