72 replies to this topic

[jcrdude]

Let me start this debate with an anecdote.

The other day I was training for my new job, and one of their safety mottoes was "Expect the Unexpected"..... at which point I decided that this was the perfect time for a debate.

I decided to pipe up and say "THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"

At which point the trainer says "Wait..... what?"

"The moment you take something in the unexpected category and anticipate it, it becomes expected. Thus it would be impossible to expect the unexpected."

I further discussed this with my step-father and tried to think of a more appropriate tag-line.

One that popped to mind was "Expect the statistically improbable".... but I think that misses the point because if you take too much time worrying about the improbable, you will lose sight of the probable.

So we finally decided that the perfect tag-line would be "Murphy's Law. (Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong)" It seems to fit perfectly, but I might add a tiny bit... "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.... eventually."

Here I open the debate.

1. Can we expect the unexpected?
2. What is a good safety tag-line that would bypass assholes like me?

[ChemD]

We can expect that something we don't expect will at some point in time occur. Hence, we can expect the unexpected. I don't think it literally means, expect the unexpected in the sense that you know what unexpected event will occur, but just the fact that something may/will occur that you have not expected. As you stated, this somewhat fits Murphys law. As so, I would agree with your tag line.

[jcrdude]

We can expect that something we don't expect will at some point in time occur. Hence, we can expect the unexpected. I don't think it literally means, expect the unexpected in the sense that you know what unexpected event will occur, but just the fact that something may/will occur that you have not expected. As you stated, this somewhat fits Murphys law. As so, I would agree with your tag line.

Expecting the unexpected in your sense, however, will not prepare me for said events. Perhaps "Be cautious because bad shit will happen" is a good translation of "Expect the unexpected"

[ChemD]

Expecting the unexpected in your sense, however, will not prepare me for said events. Perhaps "Be cautious because bad shit will happen" is a good translation of "Expect the unexpected"

I believe that's basically what it comes down to; being prepared for anything to go down in a sense. You may be up on a ladder painting, but be prepared for something like you falling off the ladder. It's a broad term, but it may be meant to cover their ass (legally) in a broad situation. "We taught 'em to be prepared for anything! They didn't listen!"

Quick Edit: This may not be in a negative manner, though. A bag with hundred dollar bills might fall from the sky and just miss you, but be prepared to take it and run!

Edited by ChemD, 04 July 2010 - 10:22 PM.

[jcrdude]

I believe that's basically what it comes down to; being prepared for anything to go down in a sense. You may be up on a ladder painting, but be prepared for something like you falling off the ladder. It's a broad term, but it may be meant to cover their ass (legally) in a broad situation. "We taught 'em to be prepared for anything! They didn't listen!"

Quick Edit: This may not be in a negative manner, though. A bag with hundred dollar bills might fall from the sky and just miss you, but be prepared to take it and run!

I like this theory.

[Noitidart]

Hahaha JC you philosopher. Real good points though I have to admin. The last one with eventually sounds best.

[devil669988]

i think it means to plan things in advanced so that you can save your ass from trouble. And you can expect most things and plan in advance but then again that'll cause a hell load of paranoia

[Waser Lave]

[iargue]

You can to expect the unexpected.


Things are unexpected by some, and expected by others. There is nothing in the world that isn't expected by someone. What "Expect the unexpected" means, is look out for the shit that the person next to you isn't, and he will do the same.

[Waser Lave]

There is nothing in the world that isn't expected by someone.

NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[iargue]

NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!

I see what you did there.

[Jake]

Expect the possibilities of things being unexpected, not unexpected things actually happening. Although you wouldn't expect to see people lining up coke in your work, for example.

[Georgina]

Lol omg I have thought this for ageeeeees and just thought it was me being dull!

You cant expect the unexpected because it is expected as Jc says!

You can however be ready for random shit to happen.

So In conclusion - be ready for random shit.


P.s. What type of job needs to be ready for random shit? o.O

P.p.s. Congrats on getting a job

Edited by Georgina, 05 July 2010 - 09:27 AM.

[Jake]

P.s. What type of job needs to be ready for random shit? o.O

Zoo poop picker upper

[Noitidart]

You can to expect the unexpected.


Things are unexpected by some, and expected by others. There is nothing in the world that isn't expected by someone. What "Expect the unexpected" means, is look out for the shit that the person next to you isn't, and he will do the same.

Oh that's a good point. So expect what is unexpected to everyone else.

[Georgina]

Zoo poop picker upper

Well done....lol. Omg i hope this is Jc's new job!!

[Sweeney]

You can expect the unexpected generally, but not specifically. It's not a paradox.

[jcrdude]

P.s. What type of job needs to be ready for random shit? o.O

P.p.s. Congrats on getting a job

Working in a freezer warehouse picking shit to ship to grocery stores.

Also thanks for the congrats

You can expect the unexpected generally, but not specifically. It's not a paradox.

DAMN!

Either way I think that Murphy's (edited) Law would be a better safety catch-phrase.

Using such a simple and general phrase should not be allowed.

[artificial]

Linguistic debates always boil down to the self-interpretation of a word's perceived meaning. For instance, if I were to define 'unexpected' as "happening or coming quickly and without warning;" (source: webster) the statement is perfectly valid.

[Xwee]

Working in a freezer warehouse picking shit to ship to grocery stores.

Also thanks for the congrats



DAMN!

Either way I think that Murphy's (edited) Law would be a better safety catch-phrase.

Using such a simple and general phrase should not be allowed.

For a safety rule, yeah I agree it's not too bad actually, but to replace the saying completely I think it's a little on the dark side.

There are things in this life that happen without cause, reason or why. For example, being fired cause a 'friend' set you up, a car zooming out of the alley-way and not slowing.

I interpret the saying "Expect the Unexpected" to mean "Be ready for Anything"
So since it's difficult to expect the unexpected, it is still possible to be prepared for anything that can cause disaster or joy. (Such as your wife going into labor ahead of time, or getting caught in a terrible car-wreck)

So people "Be Prepared for everything" could be another interpretation. Be ready to turn off a machine if your friend's sleeve gets caught in it, be ready to steady a ladder that has started to tip over, be ready to catch a bag of money that might possibly fall out of the sky, and definitely be ready for that free beer at the bar.

[kittycat]

You can expect the unexpected generally, but not specifically. It's not a paradox.

THIS and, THIS IS SOME QUANTUM LEVEL THINKING Y'ALL

[WakaWaka]

1. You cant
2. Safety? I prefer "use your common sense"

[iargue]

You can expect the unexpected generally, but not specifically. It's not a paradox.

Just repeat me. Ty.

[Sweeney]

Just repeat me. Ty.

What are you going on about now?