I can’t even remember how many shows and movies depicted quicksand as a real threat in our lives and as a kid I was very afraid I’d accidentally step in it. I’m sure it was on an episode of MacGyver or something, or maybe even one of those serious episodes from Full House or Punky Brewster. Speaking of Punky, I also had an irrational fear I’d get locked in a refrigerator………………….. because I’m sure that happens all the time.
It turns out quicksand is not much of a killer at all. I couldn’t even find concrete statistics on how many people die of it in a given year, and some websites said it was ‘none’. I’m sure getting stuck in a refrigerator is an uncommon way to die, too. I think a person is more likely to get struck by lightning while an alligator is biting their leg on a Tuesday.
In fact, how many of you out there have even seen quicksand? I’ve been around sand all my life and I’ve never, ever come across any that swallow people up. I think we were misled by Hollywood all along. I guess that brings up another fair question: What is Hollywood portraying in 2024 that will look extremely foolish in a few decades? Aliens, vampires, global warming?
I guess anything is fair game when you’re trying to scare kids.
-Out of the Wilderness
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Out of the Wilderness 