Lead is good for so many things, you guys.
It used to be in everything-and it’s still used in many things today. And it was used in all these different things because its chemical properties make it useful. It makes paint more opaque and water-resistant. Its low melting point and high malleability make it ideal for making pipes and solder, and formerly for making bullets as it melted over a wood fire. The marks it left on paper made it useful for pencils, and putting in gasoline made cars run smoother and quieter. The Ancient Romans, in addition to using it for their plumbing, used it to sweeten their wine. It seems to be an all-star in every category, so why don’t we still use it? You already know the answer-lead is awesome for machines and all their parts, but what it’s best at is killing humans.
Lead is toxic in any amount-in the long term and the short, and affects multiple body systems, including the reproductive system. Not only will it kill you, it’ll sterilize you first, and if you have kids-or are pregnant-it’ll go after them too.
But I’m not writing a research paper. I’m making a metaphor.
Sometimes the most effective way to get something done isn’t the best way. Sometimes you find a way of working, or speaking, or living that’s efficient, makes more money or saves money, or maybe is just sweeter. It’s enjoyable, and another way would be harder or would be more expensive, and really, who has the time?
But maybe your way is poisonous. And you can ignore the damage it does to you, but can you? What about others?
Like I said, we still use lead sometimes. It’s still used in batteries, and solder for electronics and jewelry. We still use it in those vests you wear when you get X—rays at the dentist. But what all those things have in common is that extensive protocols and safeguards are in place to allow us to use something that we know now is extremely dangerous-without hurting anyone. But we had to phase it out of anything that put it where it could hurt people. Sometimes you have to let things go.
When does any amount of efficiency, or effort, or enjoyment become worth your soul?
It used to be in everything-and it’s still used in many things today. And it was used in all these different things because its chemical properties make it useful. It makes paint more opaque and water-resistant. Its low melting point and high malleability make it ideal for making pipes and solder, and formerly for making bullets as it melted over a wood fire. The marks it left on paper made it useful for pencils, and putting in gasoline made cars run smoother and quieter. The Ancient Romans, in addition to using it for their plumbing, used it to sweeten their wine. It seems to be an all-star in every category, so why don’t we still use it? You already know the answer-lead is awesome for machines and all their parts, but what it’s best at is killing humans.
Lead is toxic in any amount-in the long term and the short, and affects multiple body systems, including the reproductive system. Not only will it kill you, it’ll sterilize you first, and if you have kids-or are pregnant-it’ll go after them too.
But I’m not writing a research paper. I’m making a metaphor.
Sometimes the most effective way to get something done isn’t the best way. Sometimes you find a way of working, or speaking, or living that’s efficient, makes more money or saves money, or maybe is just sweeter. It’s enjoyable, and another way would be harder or would be more expensive, and really, who has the time?
But maybe your way is poisonous. And you can ignore the damage it does to you, but can you? What about others?
Like I said, we still use lead sometimes. It’s still used in batteries, and solder for electronics and jewelry. We still use it in those vests you wear when you get X—rays at the dentist. But what all those things have in common is that extensive protocols and safeguards are in place to allow us to use something that we know now is extremely dangerous-without hurting anyone. But we had to phase it out of anything that put it where it could hurt people. Sometimes you have to let things go.
When does any amount of efficiency, or effort, or enjoyment become worth your soul?
