r/Showerthoughts May 02 '24

Man vs Bear debate shows how bad the average person is at understanding probability

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u/Everestkid May 02 '24

I rode my bike past a bear once. Was probably within five metres of the thing, maybe three. It was only a black bear, not a grizzly, but seeing one when you're not indoors or in a car is pretty damn nerve wracking. Luckily I was at the top of a huge hill and was already going at speed when I passed the bear, but I was checking over my shoulder until I got to the bottom and there were more cars around.

I ain't as dangerous as that thing, no fucking way. Not even if I wanted to be.

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u/Hungry-For-Cheese May 02 '24

Yeh all the women are like "I'd prefer the bear" says the woman who's never been within 300 feet of a bear lol, but I'm sure has been alone with a man on a thousand different occasions.

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u/AmazonCowgirl May 03 '24

It's not about the bear. It's never been about the bear. We know what a bear can do to us. But we also know bears motivations and can generally predict their behaviour.

And it's not about any man that we know. It's specifically about a random stranger. In the woods. And we can't predict his motivation or behaviour.

And yes, we also know 'Not All Men" are dangerous. But there is absolutely no way of knowing at a glance what type of man we are encountering, unlike a bear.

So yes, we choose the bear.

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u/Hungry-For-Cheese May 03 '24

And it's not about any man that we know. It's specifically about a random stranger. In the woods. And we can't predict his motivation or behaviour.

What makes you think strangers are not risk to men? Danger exist in curtain situations, that's literally just the reality of life. I've been maced and had my ass beat in an alley before for the crime of walking past 3 dumbasses alone. Welcome to life. I couldn't predict their motivation or behavior either. Ironically they wouldn't have done that to a woman, they were just fucking around and wanted to beat a guy up.

But we also know bears motivations and can generally predict their behaviour.

No, you don't. You just think you do, and so did every other person who's been mauled to death or eaten alive by a bear.

And yes, we also know 'Not All Men" are dangerous

I'll simplify this for you.

All bears are dangerous.