Rules and Responsiblity

[Danny Muffin]

"The rules don't have to make sense. We just follow them. That's our responsibility." – some jagoff I work with.

You come across this kind of thinking (or rather lack thereof) rather often. At least I do. That somehow blind adherence to a set of rules is what RESPONSIBLE people do. This strikes me as really stupid.

Okay, so being responsible is having some sort of obligation. But what is that obligation? I suppose we are constantly bombarded all day every day with the message that we are obligated to be obedient meat bags. But is this really an acceptable choice to people? Is it really that fucking outlandish to, oh I don't know, actually stop to think about what we're doing once in a while? As far as I know they haven't yet amended the DSM to include 'proclivity to ask questions' as a sign of mental illness. But clearly there must be something wrong with me because I thought that being responsible might just possibly be an obligation to being a rational, thinking, decent human being.

Wait a minute what the hell am I saying? Jeez, listen to me ramble. I must be overworked or something. Sorry boss man, I'll be a good drone and go back to my desk. But would you do me one little favour? When I come to you because your stupid project doesn't make any sense don't tell me what the rules are. When I ask why don't tell me 'because those are the rules'. That's not an answer. Or if you are going to, then at the very least don't pretend that you are being responsible while you abdicate your obligation to use your goddamn head for a minute.

But hey, at least you can get a refund on your brain since you haven't voided the warranty by taking it out of the packaging and using it.

[Doktor Howl]

"The rules don't have to make sense. We just follow them. That's our responsibility." – some jagoff I work with.

You work at Dachau?   

[Danny Muffin]

Nah, it's much worse. Urban development.

[Doktor Howl]

Nah, it's much worse. Urban development.

Oh, you bastard.

We're busy trying our damnest to fuck with some jackasses like that, here in Tucson.  Fuckers found out they can basically just ignore the "no streetlights" rule in place for the observatory, as long as they are polite enough to not actually bruise a councilman's tonsils with their penis.

[Danny Muffin]

Light pollution? That's ninny shit. We specialize in working over development bylaws so that people can build their very own DREAM HOME. Oddly, most peoples dream home seems to be an ugly, boxy, coffin located ever further into an expanding morass of ring road freeways and overpasses.

I'm being flippant, but it is actually remarkable how pliable bylaws are when the right people want an exception.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

"The rules don't have to make sense. We just follow them. That's our responsibility." – some jagoff I work with.

You come across this kind of thinking (or rather lack thereof) rather often. At least I do. That somehow blind adherence to a set of rules is what RESPONSIBLE people do. This strikes me as really stupid.

Okay, so being responsible is having some sort of obligation. But what is that obligation? I suppose we are constantly bombarded all day every day with the message that we are obligated to be obedient meat bags. But is this really an acceptable choice to people? Is it really that fucking outlandish to, oh I don't know, actually stop to think about what we're doing once in a while? As far as I know they haven't yet amended the DSM to include 'proclivity to ask questions' as a sign of mental illness. But clearly there must be something wrong with me because I thought that being responsible might just possibly be an obligation to being a rational, thinking, decent human being.

Wait a minute what the hell am I saying? Jeez, listen to me ramble. I must be overworked or something. Sorry boss man, I'll be a good drone and go back to my desk. But would you do me one little favour? When I come to you because your stupid project doesn't make any sense don't tell me what the rules are. When I ask why don't tell me 'because those are the rules'. That's not an answer. Or if you are going to, then at the very least don't pretend that you are being responsible while you abdicate your obligation to use your goddamn head for a minute.

But hey, at least you can get a refund on your brain since you haven't voided the warranty by taking it out of the packaging and using it.

FUCK YES.

[P3nT4gR4m]

I'm being flippant, but it is actually remarkable how pliable bylaws are when the right people want an exception.

It's remarkable how pliable any laws are when the right people want an exception.

When I say "remarkable" of course what I mean is "depressing"

[Danny Muffin]

It's remarkable how pliable any laws are when the right people want an exception.

When I say "remarkable" of course what I mean is "depressing"

Well sure. I just mentioned planning bylaws because it's something I have first hand experience with. Want to build something that doesn't conform to the bylaws? Just ask nicely and they'll make an exception for you. If a developer asks really really nicely, the city might even create a special control district and write a batch of regulations to suit.

But eh, I work in geomatics and I'm not directly involved with stuff like that. If I actually was working in Dachau I'd be the tailor or something similarly menial.

[Placid Dingo]

Who's the master and who's the slave, right?

You have laws. You have humanity. ONE of these was made to serve the other. It seems like we get it backwards an awful lot.

[Doktor Howl]

Who's the master and who's the slave, right?

You have laws. You have humanity. ONE of these was made to serve the other. It seems like we get it backwards an awful lot.

People might misbehave.

[Luna]

Who's the master and who's the slave, right?

You have laws. You have humanity. ONE of these was made to serve the other. It seems like we get it backwards an awful lot.

People might misbehave.

One can hope.

[P3nT4gR4m]

Who's the master and who's the slave, right?

You have laws. You have humanity. ONE of these was made to serve the other. It seems like we get it backwards an awful lot.

People might misbehave.

I wouldn't be misbehaving if they'd just fuck off with the stupid laws so really it's their fault I'm misbehaving

TBH I don't really mind - makes me feel all glamorous, being an outlaw like Jesse James

[Doktor Howl]

Who's the master and who's the slave, right?

You have laws. You have humanity. ONE of these was made to serve the other. It seems like we get it backwards an awful lot.

People might misbehave.

I wouldn't be misbehaving if they'd just fuck off with the stupid laws so really it's their fault I'm misbehaving

TBH I don't really mind - makes me feel all glamorous, being an outlaw like Jesse James

That's because you're a Scotsman.  What did Churchill say?  "Edward attempted to bring law and order to the Scots.  The Scots wanted neither."

Hell, it's why you bastards are allowed to play bagpipes and foist your "food" off on unsuspecting tourists.