HARDWIRED FOR MISCHIEF

What is it about mischief that is so tantalizing to the human species? Actually, throw the animal species in there as well, as one trip to the zoo will confirm that mischievous behavior is akin to all of us. From a sociological standpoint, it is an eye-opening thing to watch the King in his next phase of life – and of course a true testament to how much human beings like to push the proverbial envelope – or push the envelope into the toilet and then flush it, in the King’s case.

I suppose it starts with an innate curiosity with which we are all born. Currently the King is in the zone where if there is mischief to be had, he wants a part of it. If you say don’t touch something, he wants to touch it, if you tell him not to go into the street, that’s the only place he wants to go - with a smile on his willful little face. If there is something he can hide, destroy or throw off from a higher vantage point until it hits the ground with a loud crash, he’s going to try and do it. From his point of view, I get it; it’s new, fun and exhilarating in ways one can’t describe in toddler speak. 

When you think about it, as we grow older many of us do not lose this sense of mischief or determination to demonstrate one's will – for many you could even say it is a sheer need to seek mischief out. For a large majority of human beings, it is an indescribable pull to do the opposite of the norm, the often dangerous, the exhilarating, the rebellious even. I’m even talking in small terms: skipping class, or calling in sick, even smoking a cigarette. That first furtive toke off Uncle So and So’s Marlboro had an element of breaking the rules to it. It made your blood pump faster cause you knew you shouldn’t be doing it (or was that the nicotine?). And for those of you thinking you’re not a rule breaker, trust me, even stealing office supplies from your office has an element of mischief to it.

Speaking from experience, I was one of those kids that gravitated towards mischief like a moth to a flame [hence where the King probably gets it from. Gee, great]. Perhaps because it was forbidden, or it had an element of risk to it, then again, perhaps it was simply out there to try and I was the type that wanted to try a bit of everything. More often than not, I think this approach to life is more common than we like to admit. Take a look around society – these days mischief has run amuck in astronomical ways, we just happen to label it with a variety of different, more acceptable names. Take a gander at our government, financial institutions, not to mention penitentiary system (to name a very few) - all rife with individuals who take extreme risks, push the boundaries and bathe in flagrant misconduct. 

You see, some things from childhood we grow out of; we proudly evolve into mature adults who learn to be controlled, responsible, civilized even...then again, who are we kidding? The majority of society has much more in common with a fourteen month old.