Anarchy on the Streets

04/23/20156 Comments

The traffic lights went out in Amsterdam and the world didn’t end. Portishead liked their lights-out test so much they took the traffic lights out permanently. Other cities around the world have tried (successfully) to make restriction-free roads…but still people are afraid of anarchy on the streets. Today James broaches the conversation on spontaneous order by taking you for a ride on the streets of Japan.

SHOW NOTES
What happens when the traffic lights suddenly go black?

Spontaneous Order

Equality Streets

Interview 720 – Martin Cassini on Equality Streets

Roads unfit for people

Roads FiT for People

Portishead traffic lights set to stay out after trial

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Comments (6)

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  1. lromert says:

    One has to wander, is the purpose of some of the rules they make us follow just to remind us that we are slaves? Apart from the makers of traffic lights, it hard to answer the cui bono question in this case. And traffic seem to flow better, less exidents etc.

    I thought about the same thing last time I was flying. How many ridiculous rules do you have to follow each time you fly to another country? Show passport, show tech, have water confiscated, stand in line, don’t cross lines,a camera in the face sometimes, “naked-scanner” etc. And on the plane: tech off, belts on, table down, bag under seat. Have those meausures stopped many lifes? Or are they, perhaps, worried that people will forget that they are not free men when they look out over the clouds?

    Are some of the rules just to remind us our serfdom?

    • El Duece says:

      “Are some of the rules just to remind us our serfdom?”

      Yes, making people feel small and powerless is part of the game. But keep in mind most of that is instituted from the top and the actual agents in the middle may not be so over-zealous. I’ve met cool cops, nice TSA agents, and helpful tax collectors. I really do believe most people can be swayed towards decency and reason if left to their own common sense. That’s probably why the top try to hire sycophants or weaklings. Make of that what you will.

    • ccuthbert2001 says:

      YES. That is what school prepares us for,

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQvMIVGYPRQ

      what the 1040 and TSA are all about. I’d say, “Go to the head of the class,” but your are over 100 years late.

  2. arcadia11 says:

    “Or are they, perhaps, worried that people will forget that they are not free men when they look out over the clouds?”

    lol. good line, iromert. poetic. and very likely so.

    i think all of the rules are to remind us of our serfdom and to train us through mindless obedience.
    though i hear it doesn’t work on everyone : – )

    a

  3. ccuthbert2001 says:

    James, did i detect that you are driving a hybrid car? Are you math challenged, too?????? I’m bitterly disappointed.

  4. Knarf says:

    As far as I can see, the typical urban roadway intersection set-up with red lights and red light cameras, performs its intended* functions quite well. It generates fines which the municipality and red light camera company share (not to mention, not that I would, the kickbacks certain officials receive from red light camera companies), the fined drivers pay higher premiums to mega-insurance companies, and last but not least, politically-connected ambulance-chasing lawyers receive sustenance from the personal injury and wrongful death cases spawned by intersections festooned with red light cameras and the inevitable shortened yellow timing.

    So some town in Europe took out some traffic lights, big deal. This is America, where BUSINESS is what it’s about. Go forth good citizen – bend some sheet metal, break some bones, and pay up…sucker.

    *If you actually believe government EVER intends to make a given situation “better”, how in the heck did you end up here?

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