One doesn't hear often about the famous "Murphy" whose law gives employment to folks like insurance adjusters. It said, "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, and at the most inconvenient moment." I once described my risk management job as "food services," dealing with pickles and jams. Any and every type of calamity that can strike a corporation will, at some point.

My favorite corollary is: "The more expensive the tie, the sooner you'll get spaghetti on it." There are others: "If it's new, expect something to break before long, but after the warranty has expired."

Murphy's Law is a reality check for optimists like your Iconoclast. He just bought his wife a new car. It's one of those with every possible safety device, and even parks itself. Not being in control is scary — do I really trust all those alarms and flashing lights to tell me when another car is beside me, or when backing out of a blind parking space? It is like they tell airplane pilots: trust your instruments, not your senses.