Canaries were used in coal mines to detect dangerous gases. Today, the phrase “live like a canary in a coal mine” refers to serving as a warning to others. It is also used to describe a harbinger of the future, such as a melting glacier in Alaska. Companies use a similar strategy for future growth or reduction.
The life of a real canary in a coal mine could be described in three words: “short but significant”. Early coal mines didn’t have ventilation systems, so legend has it that miners would bring a caged canary to new coal seams. Canaries are particularly sensitive to methane and carbon monoxide, making them ideal for detecting any buildup of dangerous gases. As long as the bird kept singing, the miners knew their air supply was safe. A dead canary signaled immediate evacuation.
Even as gas sensing technology improved, some mining companies continued to rely on the canary method well into the 20th century. Other animals were occasionally used, but only the canary had the ability to detect small concentrations of gas and react instinctively.
Today, the practice of using a bird to test the air supply has become part of the coal mining lore, but the ideology behind it has become a popular expression. The phrase “live like a canary in a coal mine” often refers to serving as a warning to others. The real canary had little control over his fate, but continued to sing anyway. In a sense, living this way indicates a willingness to experience the dangers of life without compromise.
In another sense, many economic and political analysts use the phrase to describe a harbinger of the future. A melting glacier in Alaska, for example, can be described as a canary in a global warming coal mine. A small event in an isolated area may not seem particularly noteworthy, but it could offer the first tangible sign of the development of a larger problem. In a political sense, a country’s delegation abruptly leaving a meeting could be described as a canary in a coal mine for future negotiations.
Some large companies also use a similar strategy for future growth or reduction. For example, a small company may be used to test the waters for a new product line. Even if the company posts only modest profits or losses, the parent company can assess the feasibility of the product without risking a large investment. By closely watching all the early indicators, industries can avoid major bankruptcies down the road or benefit from a leap ahead of the competition.
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