Camp Fires

Now did you read the news today

They say the danger's gone away

But I can see the fire's still alight

There burning into the night
--Genesis

It is hard not to wonder just how many people would do just this.

Theory suggests that the answer is 'a lot.' When people face threats, they are generally less prone to review options and they centralize decision-making authority. They fail to think things through.

When the threat is a novel one, this can be maladaptive behavior.