I think this anecdote is instructive in understanding the social dynamics that have emerged in the COVID-19 pandemic. Seemingly intelligent and well-rounded people (Stanford students, for example) have adopted bizarre, pointless habits to comport with new expectations about how to “stay safe” — like wearing masks outdoors — all while continuing in much more risky behaviors. This is not to say that riding a bicycle without a helmet is *especially* risky, or that I believe helmets should be mandated (they shouldn’t). But it’s absolutely a bigger risk than COVID-19 for a vaccinated twenty-something.
Read the whole piece (it’s about a minute long). Its conclusions about Western society’s ‘smartest’ people are borne out by observation everywhere.
Habituated.
Like the people on their own in the car with one on.
Practising for a career in the public service.
the term for such people is, I believe, severely educated