Comments on: Kid dies in sand dunes, signs the solution – get real http://www.jonworth.eu/kid-dies-in-sand-dunes-signs-the-solution-get-real/ At the intersection of the EU, UK politics and tech Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:21:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jon http://www.jonworth.eu/kid-dies-in-sand-dunes-signs-the-solution-get-real/comment-page-1/#comment-121139 Jon Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:37:43 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=1684#comment-121139 Interesting comment - I find Belgium quite free of such signs, and generally is a less litigious place than the UK... But I do live in Brussels rather than Flanders! :-) Interesting comment – I find Belgium quite free of such signs, and generally is a less litigious place than the UK… But I do live in Brussels rather than Flanders! :-)

]]> By: WarningDoNotPutWarnings http://www.jonworth.eu/kid-dies-in-sand-dunes-signs-the-solution-get-real/comment-page-1/#comment-121138 WarningDoNotPutWarnings Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:12:10 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=1684#comment-121138 This concerns me a little; I am from an overpopulated part of Flanders, and currently living in Scotland. While I find the UK (or its private residents) more into pre-emptive patronising, silly insurance and litigation than Belgium overall (admittedly a total layman's limited impression), I greatly value the freedom offered by 'natural' settings here; the right of way on land, and virtually unlimited freedom on the coast. Back home, the most intriguing places always seem to have a fence and a stop sign to keep you out. This is not to disparage the value of strong regulations for e.g. nature preserves. I suppose Flanders has so little nature left that there is not much room for generosity. But it's not just that. There's also fences on things merely to 'protect' you. Imagine the sense of surprise and freedom on the first fence-less cliff in Britain! I would hope the UK maintains its healthier share of relatively pristine environment, and doesn't waste effort on overprotective signs reminding of 'Do not your cat in this microwave' notices, or - worse - frustrating and responsibility-stealing barriers that look like Big Brother put them there (for your own good of course). Signs with warnings about specific issues that the average adult may not know of (say, the presence of quicksand) or reminders of proper conduct (no littering, ...) are a different matter. But sand is sand and waves are waves and beyond the cliff is a fall; and people should get to know them and enjoy them, and teach their kids, rather than be shielded from them. This concerns me a little; I am from an overpopulated part of Flanders, and currently living in Scotland. While I find the UK (or its private residents) more into pre-emptive patronising, silly insurance and litigation than Belgium overall (admittedly a total layman’s limited impression), I greatly value the freedom offered by ‘natural’ settings here; the right of way on land, and virtually unlimited freedom on the coast. Back home, the most intriguing places always seem to have a fence and a stop sign to keep you out. This is not to disparage the value of strong regulations for e.g. nature preserves. I suppose Flanders has so little nature left that there is not much room for generosity. But it’s not just that. There’s also fences on things merely to ‘protect’ you. Imagine the sense of surprise and freedom on the first fence-less cliff in Britain!

I would hope the UK maintains its healthier share of relatively pristine environment, and doesn’t waste effort on overprotective signs reminding of ‘Do not your cat in this microwave’ notices, or – worse – frustrating and responsibility-stealing barriers that look like Big Brother put them there (for your own good of course). Signs with warnings about specific issues that the average adult may not know of (say, the presence of quicksand) or reminders of proper conduct (no littering, …) are a different matter. But sand is sand and waves are waves and beyond the cliff is a fall; and people should get to know them and enjoy them, and teach their kids, rather than be shielded from them.

]]>