Principia Discordia

Principia Discordia => Or Kill Me => Topic started by: Danny Muffin on May 15, 2012, 09:19:43 PM

Title: Rules and Responsiblity
Post by: Danny Muffin on May 15, 2012, 09:19:43 PM
"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.
Title: Re: Rules and Responsiblity
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 15, 2012, 09:21:27 PM
Quote from: Danny Muffin on May 15, 2012, 09:19:43 PM
"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?   :lulz:
Title: Re: Rules and Responsiblity
Post by: Danny Muffin on May 15, 2012, 09:37:51 PM
Nah, it's much worse. Urban development.
Title: Re: Rules and Responsiblity
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 15, 2012, 09:44:02 PM
Quote from: Danny Muffin on May 15, 2012, 09:37:51 PM
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.

Title: Re: Rules and Responsiblity
Post by: Danny Muffin on May 15, 2012, 10:06:31 PM
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.
Title: Re: Rules and Responsiblity
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 16, 2012, 06:46:41 AM
Quote from: Danny Muffin on May 15, 2012, 09:19:43 PM
"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.
Title: Re: Rules and Responsiblity
Post by: P3nT4gR4m on May 16, 2012, 09:16:56 AM
Quote from: Danny Muffin on May 15, 2012, 10:06:31 PM

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"
Title: Re: Rules and Responsiblity
Post by: Danny Muffin on May 17, 2012, 06:51:09 AM
Quote from: P3nT4gR4m on May 16, 2012, 09:16:56 AM
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.
Title: Re: Rules and Responsiblity
Post by: Placid Dingo on May 17, 2012, 09:15:48 AM
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.
Title: Re: Rules and Responsiblity
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 17, 2012, 01:58:56 PM
Quote from: Placid Dingo on May 17, 2012, 09:15:48 AM
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.
Title: Re: Rules and Responsiblity
Post by: Luna on May 17, 2012, 02:13:46 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 17, 2012, 01:58:56 PM
Quote from: Placid Dingo on May 17, 2012, 09:15:48 AM
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.
Title: Re: Rules and Responsiblity
Post by: P3nT4gR4m on May 17, 2012, 02:23:28 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 17, 2012, 01:58:56 PM
Quote from: Placid Dingo on May 17, 2012, 09:15:48 AM
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 :kingmeh:

TBH I don't really mind - makes me feel all glamorous, being an outlaw like Jesse James :evil:
Title: Re: Rules and Responsiblity
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 17, 2012, 02:25:26 PM
Quote from: P3nT4gR4m on May 17, 2012, 02:23:28 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 17, 2012, 01:58:56 PM
Quote from: Placid Dingo on May 17, 2012, 09:15:48 AM
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 :kingmeh:

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

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.