Cows Can't Lie Down - or Can They?

The caller to the radio talk show was adamant. “Cows cannot lie down. They sleep standing up.” The talk show host strongly concurred with the caller’s statement as did several other callers. The statement was accepted as fact even by those who at first may have doubted it. At the time of this call, I was living on a farm and raising beef cattle. Earlier in my life, I worked on dairy farms. I could only reach one of two conclusions, either I had always worked with miracle cows or the caller was wrong. From all observable evidence including my personal witness of the facts, cows not only lie down, they can get back up and do so several times every single day. And it’s not a miracle. The real miracle is the number of people who will believe a statement without any evidence to support it.

Almost every day I witness these miracles as I listen to newscasters and commentators make bold statements that reflect their perceptions of reality. Much of the public responds with, “Yea, yea, that’s the ticket. If Joe Shulbeetes said it, it must be true.” After a few days, or even within hours, the talking head is proven wrong but the error has been made at the expense of the gullible.

The value of information is not found in the opinion of an individual personality. Value is found when there is solid evidence to support that opinion. If a group of people is lost in fog or forest, is it wise to follow that most persuasive person or to believe the compass? Which is the better standard? I have been told that many novice pilots have accidents because they trust their feelings more than their instrument panel. Which is the better standard, the instrument panel or the pilot’s personal feelings?

Before you draw your conclusion on information that comes your way, check out the compass that is proven true. Follow the instrument panel. You will find them much more accurate than the talking head’s personal opinion. Cows can lie down regardless of how anyone feels or what anyone thinks.