You can't rely on statistics when your life is on the line

You can't rely on statistics to make the right decision when your life is on the line.  During the lightning storm, should you stand under the tree or stand in the open grass.  Statistically, one place or the other may be better, but for this one single specific instance lightning could strike either and if you stand where it strikes you chose incorrectly even if the statistics said that is where you should have stood.

In the desert, you can think.

I enjoy the desert.  I enjoy deep vistas with no sign of humanity.  Only in such places, void of distractions, can I focus my mind on what is important in life.  I believe most Americans don't seek or enjoy this mental state.  I think most prefer the constant sensational disruption of texts, cell phones, other people, television, sights and sounds of humanity.

My theory is that most people are uncomfortable when left alone with their thoughts.  Some may not like or even fear the truths learned there.  Most prefer to believe that the life they are living, aka, "The boat they are riding", is the only right boat and time should not be wasted questioning that assumption because you don't want to risk confrontation of contradiction to much of what you believe.

Our instruments of war are lawyers

We fight the same battles for water, land, resources, and power as did our ancestors.  Their instruments of war were weapons.  Our instruments of war are lawyers.