Flap Off: Common Sense
In which I flap off about a stoopid question and you: a.) Weigh in. b.) Tell me to F*** off. c.) Ignore me completely. d.) All of the above.
Question: Do I have any common sense?
My natural instincts tell me the answer is no. Why? Because I didn’t get a degree in Common Sense and apparently that’s what you need to have any these days.
What am I talking about? Well, let me tell you. I was walking through the hallways of my fine university when I heard some students discussing an upcoming exam. I took the liberty of mentally recording the conversation so I could replay it for y’all. Please observe.
Dude one: “Dude, don’t worry. She said it was just going to be common sense stuff on the test.”
Dude two: “Cool!”
My first thought…WTH?! Really? Tested on Common Sense?
It’s not like I haven’t heard that phrase used before. I have, plenty of times. And it’s not like I haven’t heard it used when referring to an exam, I mean, I work at a university, which is awesome because there is never a dull moment when observing students. But now that I’m no longer an undergraduate, paying ridiculous sums for tuition, I see things a bit differently.
Hearing this comment about being tested on common sense really made me stop and wonder. Please, if you can shed light on any of the following, I’d love your feedback.
What exactly is common sense? How does one develop common sense? How does one know for certain that another will have enough common sense to pass an exam on common sense? How much common sense does it take to subject yourself to being tested on common sense? If common sense is really so common, does it have to cost $10,000 a semester? And finally…What kind of jobs can you get with a degree in Common Sense?
I can’t help but think that my undergraduate major was poorly chosen. I should have gone for the B.S. in Common Sense instead of a B.A. in Communication Studies. *sighs*
To rectify the situation, I have awarded myself my own Common Sense degree. And guess what? If you answer any of my burning questions above, I will award you one too!
Shhhh….. Don’t tell Galla, but I forged her signature on my diploma. 
I’m sorry if you feel this post wasted your time because of lack of content. My common sense made me do it.
Haha, we had a chemistry test for the first assignment on “safety”, my teacher (and everyone else) said it was all just basic 'common sense' stuff… I didn't do too great xD So I kinda feel your pain. I think being tested about this means you still probably gotta read at least some of the material :p
ps~ i want a diploma too!
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O_O What? I've never had an exam in university that I would consider was a test of my common sense. This must be what Arts students say about exams because as a Science student, there is serious studying involved in our tests.
(Sorry, I just had to get in a dig at Arts students. I'm mostly kidding.)
I feel like my common sense is very underdeveloped when compared to other people. It is very often that I'll make a stupid mistake or I'll go out of my way to make something more complicated than it needs to be. So I definitely don't deserve a diploma in Common Sense. And what a fine diploma it is!! haha, BS indeed.
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I've heard that, too. Especially at school. I always took it to mean the easy stuff we really didn't have to study. Maybe that's why I didn't do well on those tests.
I think I have common sense — to look both ways when I cross the street, to not cheat, steal or lie, or do anything else bad that will land me in jail, to show up on time, etc…
I think common sense is also being street smart. Or wise about the world we live in. There's a lot of people who aren't. Just look at Jaywalking on Jay Leno. Some of the people are asked basic questions, like who's the Vice President of the US. And they don't know! Or that Plymouth Rock is in Massachusetts not New Hampshire. Wait…that person wasn't on Jay Leno! That's common sense!
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Hmmm….I think common sense is developed as a child and when you finally grow up you have common sense (well…..most of us). I can't imagine doing a written test on common sense. I would think they would have to go out on the street and test like through a series of challenges.
Also I think we all have moments when our common sense isn't working. Just like when you forget a word sometimes you forget your common sense disappears for a minute or two.
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Haha I want a Degree in Common Sense too!
Like you, I still don't understand what exactly that means. Whenever a teacher says “it's just common sense”, it baffles me really!
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Common sense is something based on what you already should know. So if the professor is giving an exam on common sense, its basic stuff on the test that you should have read or knew about before taking the class. Which leads me to this, What if you don't know? I had flunk one of my college exams because of this same reason. When I ask my professor about it she said I should have been prepared and know the answer. No offense, but I was a dumb freshmen fresh out of out high school. How was I suppose to know the whole anatomy of a body? It's not like I walked around all day reciting body parts. It does upset me because professors expect us to know these things.
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If they've decided to test based on common sense then I do believe that most of the population would fail. Everyday I look around me and wonder about the rampant stupidity I see. No longer are the days that one can assume that something is a generally known fact or idea.
I'd think that common sense would tell a person to remove the gas pump before starting their car and driving away.
I'd think that common sense would tell a person to stop and look both ways BEFORE crossing a street.
I'd think that common sense would tell a person that texting while driving really isn't safe.
I'd think that common sense would tell a person to tell subordinates what is expected of them before reprimanding them for not 'doing their job.'
Sadly, everyday I see that it's just not so…
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So cute. I think common sense is often synonymous with instinct, but some people have bad instincts – like don't cross 3 lanes of traffic without looking behind you to see if anyone's there while you're speeding on an overpass (I still want to strangle that guy for nearly killing me – luckily I honked my horn).
It can also be thought of as politeness. For example, my college roommate last common sense. She loved underwear and bras. She would leave them strewn around our room, including on my chair and bed. Eww…
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I think common sense is one of those life skills you gain over years of living…you know kinda like the older you are the wiser you get. Of course if your already an ahole the older you get could just make you a bigger ahole, so my common sense theory could be all wrong…:)
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Man, I shouldn't have gotten a degree in communication either! Can you make me an honorary common sense diploma too? That would be awesome:) I don't have any major theories on common sense and what constitutes it, but I know what doesn't and I have a dear sister in law who is sadly lacking in that department and she and I have issues at times:) She tried to plant people's discarded sticks (you know the ones you collect out of your yard in the fall and put on the curb to be picked up by the city?) in a planter in her house. STICKS MISSIE. Seriously:)
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LOL
Common sense is dying.
Maybe a class on it would help
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Common Sense is usually what people gain through experience. They then lord it over people who are younger without life experience (the snarky bitch in me does this), or over people who are so spoiled that they've never had to act practically a day in their lives – you know, people like the women on the Real Housewives series. I don't believe it can be taught in the bubble that is academia. It's just not possible.
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Lol, awesome sign
And congrats on your common sense diploma
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Let me just put it this way, if there were more people with “common sense” in the world around you then you would not have to wonder and ask questions about it Missie! (Of course than would not have gotten to see the awesome diploma you created though) LOL Apparently the memo has not come down through the masses that “common sense” is something you are born with, kind of like brown eyes and more people than not do not have any! Or worse yet choose not to use it if they do have it!
Like JuJu said “common sense” is dying and I blame the mass media for it, ever since we decided that Hollyweird people are our role models morals as well as common sense left the building!
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LOL!! I love the graphics!
And I love Jenny's crazy sister-in-law above! LMAO!!
I think I have the same theory as some of the other commenters: Common sense is gained through experience and understanding of events and the world around us. While not all of us have the same foundation or access to knowledge, I believe it is based on the belief that we should. I tend to follow a philosophical view towards common sense .. so I don't think you can really say anyone has “mastered” it. However, some people may say that some things are instinctual — such as being courteous, but are they? What if you're not taught how to be courteous, or you come from a home that politeness wasn't a priority? Do you lack common sense because you don't know the how, what, or why of it? Yes, I'm a dork!! LOL!
Great topic… and congrats on your new certificate!!
Have a great weekend! *hugs*
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I want a certificate! Grrrr… My husband thinks I lack common sense. Unfortunately I continuously prove him to be correct.
Like when I backed into the garage door before it opened all the way or when I set the back porch on fire. It could totally happen to anybody! Just saying.
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Common Sense is utterly overrated hehe
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It's just ignorance really. I mean who is anyone to say what is common sense or not. What someone would perceive something to be “common sense” might be baffling to another. Does that make them stupid now or lower than you? So yeah I don't like people using the term too lightly, it can make you come across in my opinion as a bit of a prick. Which if you use it too often towards others I believe you pretty much are.
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Tell that to the guy who thinks college is a waste of time! Sometimes, I think I need a refresher course in Common Sense. Where do they have those classes???
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Jackie b central texas sent me your link. I loved this!
I need to start forging some diplomas.
Nice to meet you, Missie!
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Common Sense definition is as follows…. It is a sense that is common.
Okay, where is my diploma? Hm? *hand out*
Btw… I always state that I received a BS in BS. Seriously, that is what I say when someone asks. It is more accurate anyhow.
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Lol, common sense is stuff most people generally know and expect you to know as well. When you don't, you feel pretty stupid
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I was always told growing up that I was smart, but had no common sense. So I can't say I miss having it– apparently I never had it! Good thing I never got tested on it.
And “BS” on “Common Sense” is a hilarious thought, because all I think of when I hear “BS” is, well, something that has to do with a bovine and some dung…
GraceKrispy@MotherLode blog
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Yay, I got to sign something! I haven't signed anything other than a check in weeks, so this is awesome. BTW, it's apparently good luck these days, 'cause my last signature helped get someone into law school with a letter of rec. ZOMG, hardcore.
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Galla! That is hardcore, but still not as impressive as the PhD you gave me.
And I was hoping you would stop by… got a question to ask. Ever prepare a Common Sense Exam? What kind of questions do you ask? And did you students pass?
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Common sense – getting the point without being told (especially referring to my husband, who has none!)
Great post, I really enjoyed it!
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Bwahahahaha LOVE this! How in the freaking world do you test common sense?! I apparently picked the wrong degree in college as well. I wish I would have known this 7 years ago before I spent tens of thousands of dollars
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Hahahaha! Oh shiz. I haven't stopped giggling that my face is starting to hurt. So well put!
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hahahahaha common sens is defines how you think a certain things in the sense you are already familiar with it,…
just give me my certificate,.dsfhasd
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