Just trust...

How much can one trust the claims and competence of totally unknown people, and that too for no obvious gains or compelling reasons? Not much, as doing so would border on plain stupidity or true adventurism, right? Some years ago, when I was visiting Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo for participating in a summer workshop, some of us decided to take a Greyhound and go to Toronto over the weekend. We could not resist the temptation of going up the CN Tower, an imposing yet elegant structure characterizing the Toronto skyline. The tower is indeed an architectural wonder standing over 553 metres and having the world’s highest glass floor at the height of 342 metres (according to Wikipedia). Although, several assuring notices put up on the walls indicated the weight the glass floor could take (14 large hippos), the annual load checks done, etc. there was a palpable anxiety among all the tourists who had come all the way up - should I trust the claims made by the architects of this famous tower, stand on the glass floor and see the height of 342 metres below my feet OR should I just stay out of this madness because what if my weight happens to be like the last straw on the camel’s back? Finally, all those including me who decided to step on that glass floor - either gingerly on tiptoes or jumping boisterously as if jumping on one’s living room sofa - had reposed complete faith in the claims and competence of not only those who built this marvel decades ago but also trusting those faceless technicians who guarantee us such safe thrills even today.