Famous British wit and barrister George Carman frequently used comedy to criticize human nature. One of his well-known quotes describes how people often pretend that problems don't exist in order to avoid them.

Carman's comparison of ostriches to those who bury their heads in the sand creates a striking image. He contends that although an ostrich may appear to conceal its head by driving it into the ground, this does not actually render it invisible or impervious to harm. Rather, the remainder of the bird is left vulnerable and exposed.

This analogy draws attention to a widespread human tendency for people to try to avoid facing challenging circumstances or realities. They think that by acting as though problems don't exist, they will somehow go away on their own without any intervention. Carman's metaphor, however, makes clear that this strategy is misguided and frequently results in more complicated issues later on.

People who avoid dealing with their problems are still at risk, much like an ostrich's body is visible even though its head is hidden in the sand. The fundamental problems only fester and become more complicated over time; they don't go away.

Carman essentially promotes proactive problem-solving techniques as opposed to avoidance. He advocates the notion that confronting challenges head-on is far more beneficial for both professional and personal development than denying their existence.