Sobering. Indeed.
One of the best TED talks that I've watched for a while - it is one that has you thinking and wondering for days and weeks after watching it.
We have been living in a golden age where we don't die from an infected finger nail, or a bladder infection, or a chest infection.
Going in for an operation is unlikely to be life threatening. Post-op infections can happen, but usually you're fine because the would was probably sealed with an antibiotic treatment and infections that arise later can be treated.
When you fall off your bicycle and gash your leg, you go home, apply disinfectants and sleep soundly that night.
How would our adventure-activity behaviours have to change if we didn't have this protection?
I wouldn't jump into most rivers or dams if I had a cut on my arm and, fearful of cuts, I certainly wouldn't walk into the water without shoes.
And negotiating barbed wire fences... I've been scratched a few times over the years - fortunately without infection. But this could be a risk.
Would you go slower riding your bicycle down steep hills and would your get off to push through technical sections where you'd be likely to come off? Even a little tumble and a light graze could prove deadly in a world without antibiotic protection should an infection arise.
Yes, the world would be a very different place. We'd actually need to have serious, all-the-time concern for our health.
Even though we do benefit now from protection, it is well worth being far more careful so that you don't need to take antibiotics, using them only when absolutely necessary.
Watch this.
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