When I am driving I often find myself wondering a number of things about the drivers on the road with me, but most frequently: why is their time more valuable than mine? Or, why do they think (insert driving rule) doesn't apply to them?
After driving frequently enough, I found myself realizing that one bad driver (by bad I mean the practice of negligence for driving laws or even just common courtesy), can literally ruin a commute.
This thought itself brought me to obsess about a philosopher, whose name escaped me, that I learned about in a college course forever ago. Finally, after googling philosophy to death, I realized it was Brad Hooker and theory of rule consequentialism.
This theory basically says "follow rules' because they are the law rather than use reasoning that justifies you doing something because as one person, it won't impact those around you.
Take for example (non-driving related) there is a drought which stipulates you cannot water your lawn for two weeks - don't be the one idiot in the neighborhood that thinks it's okay to water your lawn because you are the only one doing so BECAUSE everyone in the neighborhood could actually use that same logic. Rather, don't water your lawn because it is a rule.
Back to driving. One person who neglects to use the left lane for passing while driving 10 MPH below the speed limit WILL EFFECT the other drivers around him. If the left lane is a passing lane, use it as that OR if you are a pokey driver, stay out of the left lane. This one person has the power to make a few hundred other drivers 10 minutes late to work.
Get my drift? Perhaps if we applied Hooker's theory to all aspects of our lives, there would be less corruption, less annoying commutes and less daily annoyances.
When it comes down to it, it's just common sense because, in all reality a law is a law, and none of us are above the law.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
How about I stick you on my bumper?
You know what really, I mean really drives me nuts? People who put their stance on abortion on their car via bumper sticker. I know, bumper stickers are used as a form of expression - whether it be political or religious or to make sure the people behind you know you're kid isn't the biggest idiot in the school. But, when it comes to abortion, what is the purpose?
Think about it. Abortion is the taboo subject for politicians to make a statement about - mostly because it's not grey enough. People in America are either pro-life or pro-choice. period.
In fact, people are typically extremely passionately pro-either, never luke warm on the topic. You either think women have the right to choose or that every heartbeat is of equal importance. So, why put it on your bumper?
In fact, it seems almost insanely idiotic to put a pink sticker on your bumper that detests pro-choice. For one, your bumper stick is NEVER, I mean NEVER going to be that one deciding factor that changes someone to switch from their stance on abortion to yours. It just isn't.
Second, you are going to piss someone/multiple people off. Because people have such strong feelings on the subject, obviously, as with debates on the topic, the view opposite of theirs gets them extremely moody. So, unless you seek to inspire road rage or perhaps hope to have a teenage girl post-abortion kick your bumper, it seems there is no utility in displaying it.
Third, it's tacky. It just is. Conception/pregnancy are private, personal topics. You don't need to make some public affirmation saying you approve or disapprove about it. No one knocks on your bedroom door while your mid-coitus to voice their opinion about it...because it's private and done in the privacy of your own home...just as your beliefs about it should be kept.
In sum, it's dumb. Declare your redneck heritage, your disdain for the president or your breed of dog via bumper sticker, but don't mess with something so sensitive and private - it doesn't do good for ANYONE.
Besides, I figure half the people with these bumper stickers are evangelical Christians. The same ones who preach pro-life because of their belief in each human life having equal value. Those same people are the ones who have made many of the decisions to go to war. Soldiers' lives don't count? No, they do. Hypocrisy and idiocracy don't bode well together.
Think about it. Abortion is the taboo subject for politicians to make a statement about - mostly because it's not grey enough. People in America are either pro-life or pro-choice. period.
In fact, people are typically extremely passionately pro-either, never luke warm on the topic. You either think women have the right to choose or that every heartbeat is of equal importance. So, why put it on your bumper?
In fact, it seems almost insanely idiotic to put a pink sticker on your bumper that detests pro-choice. For one, your bumper stick is NEVER, I mean NEVER going to be that one deciding factor that changes someone to switch from their stance on abortion to yours. It just isn't.
Second, you are going to piss someone/multiple people off. Because people have such strong feelings on the subject, obviously, as with debates on the topic, the view opposite of theirs gets them extremely moody. So, unless you seek to inspire road rage or perhaps hope to have a teenage girl post-abortion kick your bumper, it seems there is no utility in displaying it.
Third, it's tacky. It just is. Conception/pregnancy are private, personal topics. You don't need to make some public affirmation saying you approve or disapprove about it. No one knocks on your bedroom door while your mid-coitus to voice their opinion about it...because it's private and done in the privacy of your own home...just as your beliefs about it should be kept.
In sum, it's dumb. Declare your redneck heritage, your disdain for the president or your breed of dog via bumper sticker, but don't mess with something so sensitive and private - it doesn't do good for ANYONE.
Besides, I figure half the people with these bumper stickers are evangelical Christians. The same ones who preach pro-life because of their belief in each human life having equal value. Those same people are the ones who have made many of the decisions to go to war. Soldiers' lives don't count? No, they do. Hypocrisy and idiocracy don't bode well together.
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