It occurred to me this morning that within life there are space(s) where Moral Blackholes exist. You know the place(s)! If not, let me give you an example:
I hear many a Christian express how morality of our culture is going out the window…how the world is “heading to hell in a handbasket”…how this generation is worse than the previous…blah, blah, blah. Maybe you say such things…but then this high moral individual enters The Moral Blackhole (make sure you read that with an ominous voice)…a place that makes the Twilight Zone seem normal…a place that makes the Bermuda Triangle seem like a great vacation destination…a place where the moral code is lost in translation.
For every person this is probably a different space/place but the one that seems to be a common MB is when behind the wheel of a car. Speed Limit – pshh – I scoff at speed limits! Stop signs – don’t tell me how to live my life! No stopping zones – need not apply! School Zones – kids are fast and like to dodge things!
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An automobile is a fascinating device – one that can take the highest Moralist and reduce them to driver of said handbasket. Now cars are not the only MB out there – it just seemed like one that most of us could relate to.
Top Ten:
10. Punctuality
9. Office Supplies
8. Tipping at restaurants
7. Shortcuts on the Job
6. Coupons (one per visit)
5. Downloading music/movies/software
4. When someone upsets us first (retaliation)
3. Wrong Change/Wrong Price (and we realize it)
2. Taxes
1. Driving
What items did I miss? What would you list as the top ten (or at least top few)?
What are your Moral Blackholes? Why do we make exceptions? Why will most of us respond defensively to this question (especially if it comes to driving)?
Don Schiewer, Jr. 
the mb’s that i see most often is that space where we say anything that would not be appropriate unless it was promptly followed with – “just joking.” if words we speak require the “just joking” chaser chances are we are drifting into some mb’s.
I agree with Sam in that sarcasm seems to be a huge MB. There seems to be a rule that as long as whatever is said in a sarcastic tone of voice, then it’s okay and not to be taken seriously. I find myself sometimes being able to say EXACTLY what I meant to say and no one realizes it due to my tone of voice. I find myself at my most sarcastic with those people that I claim to love the most…why is that?
I do see a lot of shortcuts on the job (a scary thing in my profession!), many seasoned professionals think the rules don’t apply to them… and in agreement with Sam, I see many discussions that lead with “I don’t want to be rude, but” or “I’m not trying to be judgmental but” and are quickly followed by scathing, hurtful or degrading remarks about a person or group of people.
I struggle with downloading music/wanting to save money by not paying a legitimate price for the media that entertains me. Somehow I feel it’s justified to cut the artist/author out of their living because they make more than I do and “can afford it”.