RULES - some are agreeable and some only cause revolt. Why?

[Chronopolitano]

Speaking generally, not about this or any forum rules.

We find some rules to be rational and good for everyone.
And then there are rules that COULD BE ok if followed, but we just don't wanna go along with em.
Just don't WANNA! Just because.

What makes them different?

Example:

Agreeable: No smoking inside the building, or Signal before you change lanes. (Not that people do this, but nobody thinks it's a bad idea per se.)

Don't WANNA: No Eating at your Desk... or No Texting& Driving.

[dbakiva]

Reminded of this:

“If they give you ruled paper, write the other way.”
― Juan Ramón Jiménez

[Martin]

No Texting& Driving.

I can understand that one. I see enough idiots swirling from left to right across the road because they are sending messages...In NL police were talking about confiscating smartphones after an accident to check whether they were using the thing just before the crash...

[hanshananigan]

A desire for autonomy flows from our every-man-for-himself survival instinct. However, we also have social instincts that foster prosocial behavior, as mutual support enhances mutual survival in most situations. Not just an instinct, but we are social creatures and we understand that my actions affect my brother and vice versa, and it may be in our best interests to agree on rules that are in everyone's best interest. We enjoy autonomy but are generally ok with giving some up to follow rules that facilitate survival.

We get a spidey sense tingle when our life is in danger (or resources needed to sustain life). We also get a warm fuzzy feeling with some prosocial behaviors. These feeling/senses motivate us toward things that should enhance our chance of survival. Other stuff that doesn't seem all that important is just ignored.

There is a layer of perception and thoughtfulness on top of those instincts, of course. We perceive that turn signals are good because it enhances safety. It seems like a fully rational decision. However, the decision to follow that rule is associated with discomfort in ambiguity, not knowing what the other guy is going to do.

[gnuyork]

No texting in driving is just common sense. Those that do it are just selfish, plain and simple. But I do see it a lot, and the compromised driving that goes along with it.

[hanshananigan]

No texting in driving is just common sense. Those that do it are just selfish, plain and simple. But I do see it a lot, and the compromised driving that goes along with it.

It is common sense, but on balance, most folks feel a stronger compulsion to text (i.e., prosocial behaviors such as connecting with others or getting work done) than an inherent feeling of danger. It isn't until you run off the road a few times or miss a traffic light that one really makes the connection that texting can be dangerous. Drinking and driving is the same process.

[hanshananigan]

Note also that not using turn signals, or more obviously, driving on the wrong side of the road, are behaviors that have clear potential for harm. In contrast, texting/drinking and driving infer that other behaviors will follow, such as inattentiveness, not staying in one's lane, etc. The "dangerousness" attributed to texting and drinking by an individual is a function of perception, that is, to what degree to texting and drinking increase the changes of dangerous outcomes, i.e., inattentiveness and poor driving. That is why PSAs try to convey that texting/drinking leads to crashes and deaths of kids on prom night. There is no inherent "spidey sense" that tells our bodies that texting is dangerous (though, accidentally swerving of the road does).

[RayMac]

Just my opinion, but any community which relies on a set of Rules to keep order is participating in a collective fail. Rules cater to the lowest common denominator, and if everyone acts as responsible adults the Rules don't need to come into play at all, except for unintentional mistakes by newer folks.
To sum up, if you find the general Rules of any society unreasonable to follow, perhaps you should consider a different society that's more to your taste and deportment.
As far as texting and driving goes there is such a potential to kill yourself and others I don't see how any reasonable motorist would even attempt it. It's like drinking and driving..beyond the Pale really.

[Chronopolitano]

I ended up seeing some movies that I never would have chosen to see, but only because there was so much vocal opposition to it.
So in a way, while there was no rule involved, I did have the FU attitude to those who wanted me to NOT see it - and it's the same attitude one has when snubbing a rule.

And how often do people do things like this:
You see a sign "No spitballing from balcony" and all of a suddenly you think, "Hmm.. never would have occurred to me to do that, but now, I think I will."

[Raza]

Funny, I don't ever, have never, and will never text and drive, but I so dearly miss smoking in buildings.