We all face risk everyday. Some of these risks are taken on willingly (walking across the street, driving to the office). Some of these risks are imputed into our daily lives (eating meat that has been treated with antibiotics, eating vegetables that may be contaminated with e-coli). Some of these risks are reflected in the price of goods we pay for (gasoline, electricity, the metals that make up our cars). Some risks are forced on us by others (air pollution, designs that are faulty but the faults are purposefully hidden). And some risks are natural (Hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, lightning strikes.
But we do not live in a risk-free world. And if we think we can, we are fooling ourselves. If we think that our government can protect us from those risks, we are wrong there, too. As I see it, everyday we are trading of risk vs reward. Drive to work or take the bus? Eat the butter or eat the toast dry? Go to work in a coal mine or in a software company? While not many choices are as stark as that last one, it is still the type of choice that we all make as we grow up.
I work for a software company. But in the past I have worked manufacturing printed circuit boards for seismic equipment, surveying land positions, in a surface coal mine in Wyoming, a surface iron mine in Peru, an underground coal mine in Illinois, as well as in a cemetery. I fly frequently overseas as well as in across the US. I drive 15 miles one way to work, in a city not known for her considerate or conservative drivers.
When we buy gasoline, we pay for the risks associated with finding and producing that oil. Sometimes, those risks take people's lives. Like the 11 people who have apparently died in the Transocean rig explosion in the Gulf on Mexico this week.
When we buy electricity, we pay for the risks associated with the mining of the coal and the entire chain of electricity production from mine mouth to the last mile to your house. Sometimes, those risks take people's lives. Like the 29 miners who recently died in the Massey coal mine.
There is no way to have risk free energy, manufacturing, transportation, or even software development.
What I can say is that we all look at risks in a very personal way. I have worked on rigs, and know how dangerous is is to be around rotating equipment and explosive hydrocarbons. I have worked underground, and know that everyday when you head down in the man skip you know that there is a chance you won't come up. But you don't dwell on it. You accept it.
We all make choices. Those choices include taking risks that may take our lives, or perhaps more disturbingly, other people's lives.
Life is precious. Enjoy every sandwich.
