Take THIS for Granted

When did taking things for granted become taboo? Who coined this phrase and brainwashed the world into believing that anyone who does this is an obnoxious jerk who does not value relationships, jobs, or possessions? Who did this?? Allow me to re-enlighten my little corner of the webiverse, as I show you how taking things for granted is really the optimistic perspective and should not be frowned upon - nay (dare I say), should possibly even be encouraged. Come along...

The first point I'd like to make is that taking things for granted is essential to child development. Case in point:

Object permanence is what lets you know when you're playing hide and seek that the other children still exist once you've closed your eyes and count. You have to take for granted that those friends are still somewhere - just in a place where you cannot see them. If you did not take this for granted, you would no doubt be a neurotic basket case who freaked out each time you closed your eyes.

"Ok guys! I'll count to 10! 1... 2... 3... 4... 5..."

"Wait a second... I... can't... see them anymore. Where are th--... Oh no... It happened again..."

Let's take this a step further. Mommy is playing peek-a-boo with her little baby. According to the Wikipedia article (see "Object Permanence" above), the child does not take for granted that his mom is still there when he cannot see her anymore - until after 8-12 months of age. If Mother disappears behind the door or blanket or hands, he must assume that he has been abandoned. There are studies now to determine to what extent this is traumatizing for an infant and may require therapy later in life.

Point #2: NOT taking things for granted could lead to irrational fear and anxiety.

If you do not take for granted that when you arrive at work, everyone will be fully clothed, for example, you could be anxious each and every day... afraid of what sights may await you when you walk through that door...

This could be you. Every single day you go to work. The sights could be... on second thought, I won't go there.

Here's another one for you: If you do not take for granted that gravity will continue to be, well, gravitational, you could adopt the irrational fear that you will suddenly lift off of the ground into the thermosphere and burn up. Scary. Irrational fears are no good for anybody. Are you picking up what I'm throwing down?

Philosophical and scientific debates have been caused by people NOT taking things for granted. Some things most certainly can be taken for granted. Like that chair you're sitting in while you're reading this, for example. Allow me to present an experiment you can do to test this:

Step 1: [Make sure no one is around while you're doing this experiment.] Locate a blindfold.

Step 2: Stand up next to the chair, such that said chair is just far enough away where it does not touch your leg (but close enough that you could easily sit back down upon it).

Step 3: Put on the blindfold.

Step 4: Sit down.

Now for the outcome: What happened? If you answered "Nothing. I simply sat down," then you are absolutely correct. You sat on the chair. Congratulations, you have just taken for granted that the chair will still be there even if you cannot feel it or are not looking at it. People actually argue over things like this. True fact. I did manage to find a comic that pokes fun at this very idea, though, and it's much more enjoyable.

Side note: If you are one of "those" people, who feel the need to debate things like whether or not there is a spoon (you know who you are), then before you submit a comment in an effort to prove something, let me take a moment to discourage you. I moderate the comments, and there is a good chance yours will not make the cut. If you feel really, really convicted though and feel compelled to comment anyhow - even after this somber discouragement - then I suppose you will be taking for granted that I will even read it. And if I don't read it, you are taking for granted that it will continue to exist after it leaves your sight (which it will not because it will surely be deleted). Was that confusing enough? That's what that kind of philosophical nonsense makes me feel like. It makes my head hurt.

Side note #2: If on the other hand, you feel just as apathetic toward philosophical arguments as I do, then comment your sweet little heart out. ;)

So go on, and live life happily knowing that some things not only can be but must be taken for granted. It's normal. And the next time you hear someone droning on about how you should take nothing for granted, tell him or her to stop being weird. You're free - I release you. :D