The Erie railroad kills 23 to 46; the other 845 railroads kill an average of one-third of a man each; and the rest of that million, amounting in the aggregate to that appalling figure of 987,631 corpses, die naturally in their beds! You will excuse me from taking any more chances on those beds. The railroads are good enough for me.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Railroads cause many deaths, yet the speaker excuses himself from further risk, preferring the safety of rail travel.
- In plain terms
- He chooses rail travel despite its dangers.
- What can you take from it?
- Personal risk assessment can differ from statistical danger.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you weigh personal comfort against statistical danger?
- When is it rational to accept risk?
Another view
Statistical risk may be lower than perceived.
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