History & Rules

Maturity

The candidate must be capable of sound judgment.

Humans are generally capable of sound judgment, except those with mental handicaps that render them unable to fully comprehend the ramifications of their actions.

A vociferous majority argues that children also fit into this category, citing the vast gulf between ignorance and stupidity. An equally clamorous minority contends that children are the best candidates for a rusty chromosome award, since they obviously have not reproduced. Some children have stated that restricting children from vying for this laudable award is yet another encroachment on their civil liberties.

I appreciate that parents are responsible for raising their offspring and teaching them to make responsible decisions. Therefore children under sixteen are not eligible to win a Darwin Award. However, a few have been included as nominees, when their actions can be considered foolhardy by even their young peers.

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