Our Worst Idea About «Safety»

From bike helmets to contraception, mask mandates to diet coke — there’s a misconception about human behaviour that won’t die: We’re told that when people adopt certain safety measures, they will become negligent and all benefits of the safety measures are cancelled out. This essay traces the idea back to its origins and examines how it keeps shaping policy — for the worse. Key quote: «Life is not just about staying safe by avoiding everything. The point of these measures is to allow for a small amount of risk compensation.»