August 30, 2012 (Thursday)
We classify tropical disturbances, depressions, storms and hurricanes. The developed systems are “Category 1” through “Category 5,” with each higher number representing increased severity. But the “Cat” designations only apply to wind speeds measured within the hurricanes. They do not take into account how fast or slow the entire system is moving, which is a significant factor affecting storm surge and rainfall amounts. Rising water and flooding rain are very important in the impact a storm system can make.
Hurricane Isaac is an example of how “Category” does not tell the whole story. A few years back, Tropical Storm Allison devastated huge areas of Harris County and adjoining counties, after it had been downgraded to a tropical depression. Its floods are now legendary in the history books. Those who lived through its damage will never forget it. I have a feeling many will feel the same about Isaac.
As I think about such matters, it occurs to me that “stereotyping” is a natural but dangerous tendency we all share to some extent. We like easy answers, thus the “Cat 1” through “Cat 5.” That settles it for us, but does it really? No. Each storm has singular characteristics that make it unique.
This attribute of tropical disturbances and storms should serve as an illustration of how we view people. It’s easy to “classify” a person. Psychological classifications of people in the early days of the science put all people into general classifications. According to that theory each of us has a temperament that can be described adequately in one of four ways: sanguine (pleasure-seeking and sociable), choleric (ambitious and leader-like), melancholic (introverted and thoughtful), and phlegmatic (relaxed and quiet). Those classifications have now all but disappeared from later views of the human personality. We found out that it’s just not that easy to classify people, because of individual differences. We are complex creatures, you and I, and we don’t like to be lumped in with everyone who may share some of our traits.
In all of our personal relationships, we need to be sensitive to the feelings of others, refusing to “classify” them. We need to get to know a person before we decide what we think he/she ought to do in his/her situation. Even then it is probably a good idea to keep our thoughts to ourselves. We are all different from each other. We don’t regret that; we celebrate it.