The Similarities in the Orca and Toyota

Since 1991, the orca has been responsible for the death of two trainers and one dimwit who jumped in her tank during after hours. Over the past 10 years, Toyota has been responsible for the deaths of 34 Americans. That equals out to 3.4 American deaths a year caused by a defect in the Toyota vehicle. If you ask me, those are pretty darn good odds. The amazing thing to me, was all the times that this killer whale didn't kill a trainer. Now that's an achievement to talk about. The fact that these gigantic sea creatures can be trained to be that docile and obedient, that is quite extraordinary. And if that trainer was around today to ask how she felt, she'd probably say she died doing what she loved, it was just a fluke, and it was all worth it. To now consider stopping all other Shamu shows across the nation from going on, including here in San Diego, is just silliness. Every time we step out of bed in the morning to our day, there is a chance we won't be getting back in that bed. However, we do things in our lives to make us feel alive, to bring adventure, to be entertained, have a thrill, save time, bring expediency to our lives, and for our convenience. We've learned to produce airplanes, microwaves, baseball bats, tractors, sewing machines and many other seemingly safe things, all of which we expect to be designed to perfect standards. We forget that it is inherent in using any of these that there are risks involved due to human error in the use of them, as well as in the occasional faulty production. The orca trainer knew what she was getting into and did it anyway. Similarly, every time we get into our car, there is a chance something could go wrong with this amazing miracle of modern movement. This marvel called the car, entails extremely high temperatures as the internal combustion pressures the gases to expand, a braking system to stop this forceful movement, tires that connect it to the road, and a steering column to connect us to the wheels. With all of those variables and all of their sales and successful vehicles through the years, I'd say that Toyota has really done a stellar job of safety actually.

The recall is unnecessary and costly, and will only raise people's fears unnecessarily. Instead, the latest incident that did it in for Toyota, should have been mourned as the sad freak accident that it was here in nearby Santee, when the Lexus wouldn't stop for the cop and his family. Unfortunately, life doesn't just go as we wish it to in our minds, with all our ducks in a row and undisturbed. In actuality, if we strive for too much safety and security, we will probably end up with the same fate as Howard Hughes, who lost his life in trying to protect and preserve it. Life isn't a perfect utopia, but I must say that here in America we've come pretty close to making it one. More regulation to avoid every single conceivable unseen pitfall, will only lead to a slow down in production, higher costs, less convenience, less experimentation and fewer new discoveries and inventions in our future.