Minds are like parachutes... bumper sticker

A full-sentence sticker. No symbol to decode; it makes an argument and lets you take it or leave it.

Durable vinyl. Made for the outside of a vehicle, or a window, a laptop, or a case.

Standard bumper size. Sized for a bumper, a window, a laptop, or a notebook.

• Vinyl bumper sticker, weather-resistant
• Reads: Minds are like parachutes, they only function when open
• For vehicles, windows, laptops, and similar smooth surfaces
• SKU: EBMIN

There is a version of open-mindedness that is really just credulity, and it is worth distinguishing the two. The line does not ask you to believe everything; a parachute that never closes is no use either. It asks you to stay open long enough to actually consider a thing before deciding about it, which is harder than either believing or dismissing, and rarer.

For a practice built on things that cannot be proven, that is a genuinely useful discipline. Hold the question open. Decide slowly. It is good advice on a bumper and better advice at an altar.

1. Clean the surface thoroughly and let it dry before applying.
2. Peel and place it carefully, smoothing outward from the center to avoid bubbles.
3. Choose the spot with some care, since removal can be difficult.
4. Keep it clear of wipers, sensors, and anything that needs to move.

• My Other Car Is A Broom Bumper Sticker: the funnier one, for the same bumper.
• Love Heals Bumper Sticker: the plainspoken one.
• Laughter and Cries Bumper Sticker: another argument on a bumper.
• Om Bumper Sticker: a sacred symbol, for those who prefer one.
• Magnetic Bumper Sticker Holder: for those who would rather not commit to the paintwork.

Who said it?

The line is usually credited to Thomas Dewar, the Scottish whisky distiller, though it has been repeated so widely that the attribution is loose.

What is it made of?

Weather-resistant vinyl, made to survive being on the outside of a car.

Does it need cleansing?

No. It is a vinyl sticker. Do not put salt on it.

How do I apply it?

Clean and dry the surface first, then peel and smooth it outward from the center. Choose the spot deliberately, since it will not come off cleanly.

Will it survive a car wash?

Applied properly to a clean surface, yes.