As the season's first major heat wave envelops the eastern U.S., there will be many cases of heat exhaustion or heat stroke and, unfortunately, some heat-related deaths. Humans are more prone to heat-related illness than other animals for two reasons: we are intelligent and impatient.
Other animals are guided primarily by instinct. When excessive heat develops, they limit their activities, retreat to a cool den and wait for conditions to improve. Humans, on the other hand, are focused on time and take pride in a tough-minded approach to adversity. Unwilling to put off chores, reschedule events or demonstrate "weakness," they often remain active through the heat of the day, sometimes challenging nature by exercising in the face of extreme heat and humidity. "Just do it now" is their motto.
Of course, many heat-related deaths occur in individuals who are too frail or too young to care for themselves and, in those cases, other humans must accept responsibility. For the rest of us, common sense should be enough to keep us out of trouble. Unfortunately, pride and impatience often get in the way.
