Global warming and Social Dilemma #7 are the two major issues of our time. And while I still need a few more weeks to solve the polar icecap "issue," I believe that I've got Social Dilemma #7 in the bag. This social dilemma is found everywhere, but is totally avoidable...just like mayonnaise. What is #7? Glad you asked. Okay...you're walking towards someone and you're about about ten yards away. All of the sudden, you both panic because there is a serious chance of collision. Then you do that weird, "which way ya goin" dance and you both look like complete losers. Eventually, you pick a course that avoids bodily contact, because that would be totally humiliating.
I've fallen victim to this dilemma many a time, but it recently dawned on me...why don't we just follow the rules of traffic? You know, default right. If you and I are walking towards each other and I don't want to run right into you, because you would feel like you just ran into a brick wall...just go right. If we both go right, there is no chance of collision, and you won't have the humiliation of a 63 pound dude knocking you to the ground.
This seems like a REALLY simple solution. Am I missing something?
-Trav
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Social Dilemma #7
Posted by The Avilas at 10:53 PM
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14 comments:
what if you are on a collision course with someone from england? or a democrat?
...just like mayonnaise.
that was good.
"63 pound dude" - tee hee hee hee.
Ahhh, I always leave the Avila's smilin'. Tank u.
totally agree. you are completely on point. and no, you are not missing anything.
~Cheryl
wow. 10 yards is a loooong distance. you could move out of the way like 20 times before they even get to you in that amount of time.. or wait for them to pass... or spend that whole time over analyzing what you could do and then still run into them.... yea that's probably your best option.
the first mistake always made in this situation is the two colliders make eye contact. bad move. as anyone who rides a motorcycle can tell you, you will go where you look.
so, avert your eyes, head down,
angle to the right.
if the knucklehead homes in on you and runs you down, you have the perfect justification to get all up in his face with your 13 year old girl physique.
or, you can just pick yourself back up, brush the dirt off your pants, and keep walkin'.
totally your call.
uncle pat
Uncle Pat knows his stuff. One thing I've learned from walking the streets of busy cities is to look past people and just veer slightly to the right - or if you want to go left because of a mud puddle then veer left hard and make it obvious which way you are going. But never acknowledge that they are there or you have the funny which-way-are-you-goin' dance.
I always try to do the walk on the right thing, but then there are always those "English" walkers who walk on the wrong side. In those situations, I usually just stand still and let them do their thing.
Or you could always pretend like its bumper cars and just bump people on purpose. That might lead to some unnecessary insurance issues though, so I guess I'm back to the stand still.
si - english people and democrats are all screwed up. when approaching either, i just step right into the street. i'd rather try my luck with oncoming traffic than an english democrat.
skylana - unfortunately, you're right. while trying to avoid awkward situations, they still seem to run right into me.
uncle pat - good call. the motorcycle technique. i like the idea of not making eye contact. i used to use that technique in college when all the scandalous Cal Poly girls were walking by. i just stared at my shoes. oh, and it's the body of a FOURTEEN year old girl, thank you very much.
I am delayed, and commenting on the wrong post, but I just wanted to say Happy Anniversary, and have so much fun on your get away. I think it is great that you guys will get some alone time. I can't believe it's been 5 years since your beautiful wedding! Man, I miss our hang outs when we were newlyweds! Love you guys!
~Kelly
HaHa. this happened to be twice today in big meeting at work. I was trying not chuckle out loud.
Well, I am not English, but I am a Democrat; and really quite sane and together. Not screwed up at all. I actually know and love some (shudder the thought) Republicans.
This is Kelly's Mom who sometimes finds your blog fun and family always very cute.
Oh crap. Did I just offend Mrs. Ryan? I hope you know that I was joking when I said that Democrats are screwed up. I've hung out at your house with Rob and Kelly and can say from experience that you and your husband are VERY pleasant, amazing folks..and most certainly NOT screwed up. Sorry. But, "sometimes fun" that's not a great vote of confidence ;)
I can't speak to solutions to this devastating problem, but I can tell you that Koreans have the same Social Dilemma (running into each other) but for a different reason - as far as I can tell, nobody here pays the slightest attention to where they or anyone else is going. Either that or everyone is engaged in one big game of chicken (like the kind they played in Footloose, but on foot). Either way, bad stuff.
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