this post was submitted on 04 Oct 2026
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Try to figure out why you would have that be a rule if you don't get it though. There are some rules that you will never get explained why, but if you think from their perspective it can actually become clear of, yes this might be a kind of arbitrary rule in some cases, but it shows that you are capable of figuring out and following arbitrary rules.
Like how, I forget which band it is, puts in their contract that all the brown or green or whatever M&Ms have to be put into a separate bowl, because one time the people did not read or follow the setup instructions and people almost fucking died. They can walk into the dressing room and immediately see if the instructions have been followed based on a bowl of M&Ms
That's why it's a disability. I literally have to know why I'm doing something or it becomes a ridiculous slog.
I am not capable of following arbitrary rules that I know are arbitrary, because they are arbitrary and I’m not a robot. That’s stupid as fuck.
Edit: I really don’t understand the downvotes. Do most people honestly agree with this dog shit sentiment of just shut up and do as you’re told? That’s fucking gross.
Edit: Do you guys not know what arbitrary means?
I also don't understand why you're downvoted. Arbitrary rules are bullshit, and the majority of rules that exist are absolutely arbitrary.
Lemmy, home of the rebels and revolutionaries, obviously.
Proves a point I make a lot. 90% of every demographic of anything is fake. They can call themselves leftists but sticking feathers up your ass does not make you a chicken. Just a bunch of fucking reactionaries, no more, no less.
Very few rules are arbitrary. A rule may be bad, or no longer relevant, but there must have been a reason someone went to the trouble of making it. Once you can figure out that purpose, you can accept or reject it. But until then, you must consider the possibility that your knowledge is simply incomplete.
I explicitely said not to just shut the fuck up and do what you are told. Either all rules are arbitrary or none are, as all rules are to achieve a specific goal and there is no logical way to get an aught from an is statement. Figure out the goal and decide from there, as in the example given: goal make sure that we don't die to them not following our instructions, so make one extremely arbitrary rule that would be one of the first things people like you would skip because they don't see the point in making sure that everything is set up exactly right. A decent number of rules are exactly like that, a quick vibe check to see at a glance if you are going to do the "arbitrary rules" that don't have an obvious reason but never the less have an actual important reason behind them.
Something not being obvious does not equate to it being arbitrary. If it’s arbitrary then it literally has no importance and is unnecessary. That’s what arbitrary means. You are very much just saying shut up and do as you’re told.
Arbitrary in this case means it doesn't specifically matter but it still can overall. Like what specifically you choose to eat is arbitrary, but that you eat at all is important.
No. My god. No, thats not how that fucking works. That not at all what is being discussed. This isn’t about eating your fucking vegetables. You guys act like authoritarianism and theocracy don’t exist. There are a lot of rules that people insist exist only to practice making you follow rules. You people are fucking sheep.
Edit: To be clear to all the reactionaries, not every rule is arbitrary, sure, I’m talking about the actually arbitrary rules that you blank slates insist don’t exist. If you’ve ever worked a corporate job you know exactly what I’m tqlkimg about.