Imagine a smoke alarm in a cozy little house. When the house was first built, the alarm was perfectly calibrated. It knew the difference between danger and safety. It only went off if there was real smoke or fire—an actual threat. It was designed to protect, not panic.

But over time, things began to happen in that house. A candle left burning too long. Times when someone forgot to turn off the stove, or the wiring sparked in the walls. One day, a real fire broke out—it was terrifying, and it left a deep mark.

After that, the alarm changed. It became hypersensitive.

Toast too brown? Alarm activated.

A hot shower with steam? Alarm activated.

Lighting birthday candles? Alarm activated.

Even when there was no real danger, the alarm screamed. It wasn’t broken. It had simply learned. Learned that danger can come from the small, ordinary things. Learned that safety is unpredictable. And now, it was trying to protect at all costs.