Expression that needs to be retired: "Darwin Award."

The term always comes across like the person using it to some degree thinks a cyclist ought to be killed for what they consider poor judgement.

We currently have a transportation infrastructure that forces very vulnerable users to share space with multi-ton speeding hulks of metal, often inches from our living space, in which a moment of indiscretion on the part of a person riding a bike, or trying to walk somewhere. or even just a child playing steps from their front door can result in instant death.

Are we so comfortable with this system we've allowed to be built that we're willing to gloat and declare our superiority when a person trying to navigate it makes a choice that we consider unsafe?

I've seen people speak up and the usage of this awful expression die out on other forums...  it seems to have become a popular term here just in the past few weeks, and hopefully we can recognize that we can stop using it just as quickly.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on June 22, 2013 at 11:35pm

I understand the macabre aspect of the term, but I also understand it as shorthand for doing something really stupid that could easily get you killed.  And, it's not like it was invented on The Chainlink:

http://www.darwinawards.com/

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on June 23, 2013 at 7:24am

It is a common shorthand for describing, "Geez, that guy did something so stupid he's lucky he wasn't killed."  To the extent that it serves that purpose, then it's fine.  That's all I was pointing out.  I don't think its use necessarily implies, "he got what was coming to him."  I agree though, that it's got this macabre, voyeuristic, condescending quality about it, which makes its use questionable.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on June 23, 2013 at 1:03pm

Perhaps this is because many will say that we are "crazy" and "putting our lives in danger" merely by doing what we love-- riding a bicycle.  However, there are still actions we take when on a bicycle that incrase our risk.  Those actions depend on our skill level and willingness to accept risk.  Because this is often subjective I understand why throwing out the term Darwin Award can be a problem.  Many of the actions of a professional rider ie. messenger, are just fine when performed but such a rider.  Its foolhardy for me to try these things.  That being said, many of these maneuvers are still dangerous and mostly illegal.  To use the term "Darwin Award" implies a death wish.  Perhaps that is a bit much.  Yet, its a lot nicer  than saying something like "flaming a..."well you get the picture. Joking that a salmon on a busy street has a death wish still seems more politically correct that starting a flame war. 

I am going to attempt to follow Howard's advice. In such situations I will merely say dangerous, illegal or advanced and leave it to others to decide the moral and metaphysical ramifications of seemingly boneheaded activities on a bike. We will see how long I can hold to this.

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on June 24, 2013 at 2:09am

Although salmonella isn't any good! 

Evan said:

Also can we discontinue "salmoning"? I mean, I love salmon! With some rice pilaf and steamed broccoli, yum!

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 24, 2013 at 3:48am

There is also a "blame the victim" mentality. "Well, is his fault I hit him with my giant SUV. What was he doing riding a bike on a street, anyway?!"

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 24, 2013 at 12:30pm

It's unfortunate when road conditions are so dangerous that riding on some of our streets is hazardous enough to bring the expression to mind. Unfortunately, too many miles of road are that bad.

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