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If we completely rejected government authority and social structures, our world would probably go up in flames. However, rebelling against the rules once in a while doesn’t hurt anyone, as long as the consequences are minimal. In fact, dabbling in some light anarchy can feel empowering and boost self-confidence.

The subreddit ‘First World Anarchists’ is full of examples of people who live for a bit of trollish rule-breaking. From doing the opposite of what signs are telling them to eating pizza on pineapple (not the other way around), scroll down to find some inspiration to keep your rebellious fire burning.

While you're at it, don't forget to check out a conversation with Nick Chater, professor of behavioral science at Warwick Business School and author of The Mind is Flat, who kindly agreed to tell us more about our nature and rules.

#1

A Black Man Drinking From A White Only Fountain In 1956

A Black Man Drinking From A White Only Fountain In 1956

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    #2

    Doing It Right

    Doing It Right

    nathanemke Report

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    Silly-Rabbit
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oddly specific signs. My question is in regards to the cat. Definitely looks like a sign a cat would post, so they could get snuggles...

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    #3

    Cats Never Follow The Rules. That Sign Is Pointless

    Cats Never Follow The Rules. That Sign Is Pointless

    EmperorHenry Report

    “We all feel the oppressive presence of rules, both written and unwritten – it’s practically a rule of life. Public spaces, organisations, dinner parties, even relationships and casual conversations are rife with regulations and red tape that seemingly are there to dictate our every move,” writes professor of behavioral science Nick Chater. 

    “We rail against rules being an affront to our freedom, and argue that they’re “there to be broken.”

    #4

    This Cat Rebels Against The Airport System

    This Cat Rebels Against The Airport System

    20195780 Report

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    However, as a behavioral scientist, he believes that it’s not really the concept of rules and our restriction of freedom that makes us want to break them. It’s rather that people feel that some rules can’t be explained in a reasonable way.

    "We object when we feel obliged to follow rules that we wouldn't have agreed to—​e.g., that we think are unjust or simply pointless. And breaking those rules can feel like an expression of individuality," he tells Bored Panda.

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    This can be beneficial, especially when "the rules are excessively rigid, unjust or bureaucratic—and perhaps imposed by one group (perhaps the majority) on another," says Chater.

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    #11

    That's A Lot Of Anarchists

    That's A Lot Of Anarchists

    Pumuckl4Life Report

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    Debby Keir
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's because it's a sewage pipe, pumping effluentout into the sea/lake (yes, United Utilities, I'm looking at you)

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    On the other hand, we tend to abide by the rules, which we find logical. Just like the rules of English or language as a whole. We might think of liberating ourselves from it, but this new-found freedom would not make us ‘unchained.’ Conversely, it would turn us into incoherent creatures who would be hard to understand. Then we wouldn’t be able to communicate with others, and that’s not something a person commonly desires.

    #15

    You Don't Tell Me Where To Walk!

    You Don't Tell Me Where To Walk!

    Pumuckl4Life Report

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    Even though we might feel tempted to protest some rules, they’re hard-wired into our DNA. We simply absorb complex language systems and social norms without really asking too many questions, saying, “It’s the way we do things around here.”

    #16

    Found This Blanket At My Friend's House

    Found This Blanket At My Friend's House

    AvalieV Report

    #18

    Not Pictured: A Lot Of Husks Behind The Sign

    Not Pictured: A Lot Of Husks Behind The Sign

    ilslh Report

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    Two_rolling_black_eyes
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Its been Olathe sweet corn season for the last month and every place that sells it from the roadside stand to the mega grocery marts has trashcans for the husks. You have to pull down the husk to see if the kernels were fertilized or you're buying a useless cob.

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    That's why Chater believes that it's not really possible for rules to cease to exist. "Humans spontaneously invent rules all the time, both to get along (rules for sharing, helping, telling the truth) and making life fun (rules for games)."

    #19

    @ My Local Walgreens 💀

    @ My Local Walgreens 💀

    FloofyMarshmellow Report

    #20

    Ha Ha! No One Will Stop Us From Stickering Whatever We Please!

    Ha Ha! No One Will Stop Us From Stickering Whatever We Please!

    RippyADMB Report

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    Evan not Hansen
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Plot twist: this sign was put up by someone who wanted to collect furry stickers

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    #21

    Do Not Touch

    Do Not Touch

    Fancykiddens Report

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    Turanga Leela
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's not rebellious, that's just f*cking stupid and arrogant. Makes my blood boil.

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    Rules allow us to live (for the most part) in harmony with each other without going into chaos and disorder. “Without some rules – and some tendency for us to stick to them – society would slide rapidly into pandemonium. In fact, our species’ ability to latch onto, and enforce, arbitrary rules is crucial to our success as a species,” concludes Chater.

    #22

    First Thing I Did

    First Thing I Did

    BlackRoseRaider Report

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    Abel
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Free computers, kids!. I am giving them away in my van in the back alley behind your school!"

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    #23

    No Bicycle Parking On This Street

    No Bicycle Parking On This Street

    CatPlastic8593 Report

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    Verena
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is why every city in the Netherlands has nice huge trucks equipped with bolt cutters, for cleaning out the streets on regular basis. If not claimed, they are auctioned off 4 times a year, this is why every Dutch person can afford two or more bicycles. Usually you have three: One rickety one in case somebody visits, one barely functional for going shopping/visiting friends/going to the beach/enjoying nightlife/leaving at the train station and a nice one, for sports or weekend trips. 99% there is a (free) bike parking round the corner.

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    #24

    This Camera Man Will Not Be Stopped

    This Camera Man Will Not Be Stopped

    G14mogs Report


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    #28

    Don’t Tell Me How To Live My Life

    Don’t Tell Me How To Live My Life

    lazyeye888 Report

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    Cole E
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tell that to the copy and print centers at the Office Depot stores I've worked at!

    #29

    Finally Get To Join Your Outlaw Gang!

    Finally Get To Join Your Outlaw Gang!

    franklin_p Report

    #30

    On The Wall Is Written "Do Not Park Backwards"

    On The Wall Is Written "Do Not Park Backwards"

    Colonel_Thunder Report

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    #31

    Drinking German "Breakfast Juice" At 19:35 In The Evening

    Drinking German "Breakfast Juice" At 19:35 In The Evening

    Relevant-Team Report

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    Hans Georg
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If OP stood up not long ago, it would be still breakfast. At least in Germany. Doesn't matter what time it is.

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    #33

    Whoever Gave The Name To This Pink Peony

    Whoever Gave The Name To This Pink Peony

    Winter_Drawer_9257 Report

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    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Blue Rose so named as it is a deep rose colour with a bluish tinge. This is a lovely paeony with a gorgeous scent. Will grown in a pot too.

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    #35

    Nobody Tells This Bird Where It Can Be

    Nobody Tells This Bird Where It Can Be

    A_Is_For_Azathoth Report

    #36

    Connecticut License Plate

    Connecticut License Plate

    rpodovich Report

    #38

    I Drop Bossy Signs Like Sucker MCs

    I Drop Bossy Signs Like Sucker MCs

    BartKing Report

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    #39

    Rebel Dog Gets It

    Rebel Dog Gets It

    omegajakezed Report

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    #40

    Anarchist Pumpkin

    Anarchist Pumpkin

    SheetsGiggles Report

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    Kangaroo
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ve recently started buying pumpkins for food - for my entire childhood, they were just Halloween decorations or pie, so it’s kind of fun to learn how to cook them different ways. So I grabbed some pumpkin in late July and made some delicious curry 😊 highly recommend! Pumpkin soup is surprisingly hearty and delicious too!

    #41

    The Way I Cut My Birthday Cake

    The Way I Cut My Birthday Cake

    1zeye Report

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    Turanga Leela
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If it's your own cake, then sure, but don't do that s**t to other people's cake.

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    #42

    No Subir = "Don't Climb"

    No Subir = "Don't Climb"

    Matingas Report

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    #44

    I Did It

    I Did It

    Harambesic Report

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    Laserleader
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My first card laminated, because my mom's had been and she never read the back of the new cards. I did sign it before laminating though.

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    #45

    My Coworkers Get It

    My Coworkers Get It

    capnlatenight Report

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    Ke Rider
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You just need to move the one on the right a bit more to the right and it'll be in compliance.

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    #46

    Try And Stop Me!

    Try And Stop Me!

    kcdirtracer Report

    #47

    No Picnic Table

    No Picnic Table

    SchwillyMaysHere Report

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    #48

    Found In Japan

    Found In Japan

    buddyinjapan Report

    #49

    Become Ungovernable

    Become Ungovernable

    phenwulf Report

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    #50

    I Don't Have To Listen To You, You're Not My Real Dad

    I Don't Have To Listen To You, You're Not My Real Dad

    Dan_Berg Report

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    #52

    Wendy’s Joining The Anarchists

    Wendy’s Joining The Anarchists

    italianshark Report

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    #53

    I Just Put A Sign That Says "No Exit" On The Only Door Of My Toilet, So Now Everyone Leaving The Room May Feel A Little Anarchy

    I Just Put A Sign That Says "No Exit" On The Only Door Of My Toilet, So Now Everyone Leaving The Room May Feel A Little Anarchy

    GoedekeMichels Report

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    #54

    And There’s Nothing You Can Do About It

    And There’s Nothing You Can Do About It

    Maskay57 Report

    #55

    Someone Flat Out Daring Them To Check The Cameras

    Someone Flat Out Daring Them To Check The Cameras

    Rendigs Report

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    #56

    “Strawless,” You Say? 😈

    “Strawless,” You Say? 😈

    The_MadStork Report

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    #58

    This Is How This Works Right?

    This Is How This Works Right?

    Jembers1990 Report

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    #59

    Don’t Tell Me What To Eat

    Don’t Tell Me What To Eat

    Lopatron Report

    #60

    Ain't Nobody Got Time For That!

    Ain't Nobody Got Time For That!

    GenSaltyPants Report

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    #62

    Samsung AirPods

    Samsung AirPods

    wavecopper Report

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    I AM A LOLLY SNEK (she/her)
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Text translates to "Add emojis, names, initials, and numbers. You can even engrave your Memoji."

    #63

    Unhinged

    Unhinged

    Yeyo666 Report

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    #64

    Definitely Not The Right Color

    Definitely Not The Right Color

    lordofthebrocean92 Report

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    #66

    Someone Clearly Ate Subway At This Hungry Jack's

    Someone Clearly Ate Subway At This Hungry Jack's

    MARio23038 Report

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    #67

    Put Out The Watermelon Display Boss!

    Put Out The Watermelon Display Boss!

    InDaRed Report

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    #68

    They Start 'Em Young Nowadays

    They Start 'Em Young Nowadays

    snorkiebarbados Report

    #70

    S***ty Beer Inside An Even S***tier Glass

    S***ty Beer Inside An Even S***tier Glass

    reddit.com Report

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    Lene
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a Dane I would like to inform the world that Tuborg and Carlsberg are probably the worst beers in Denmark. We have so many fantastic breweries here and I hope that all beer-drinking people in the world will discover at least some of them. Tuborg and Carlsberg are sh1t beers!

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    #71

    Yeah, I Did It!

    Yeah, I Did It!

    RipRapRob Report

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    #73

    I Did It

    I Did It

    Craft_Master06 Report

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    #74

    How Else Am I Supposed To Open It, Though? Brute Strength? They Made Me Do This

    How Else Am I Supposed To Open It, Though? Brute Strength? They Made Me Do This

    Pir8Life Report

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    Nikki Gross
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It only says no box knives, but that doesn't say anything about using scissors.

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    #75

    Its Called The Future

    Its Called The Future

    CorbinC2000 Report

    #76

    My Favorite Tea To Drink In The Afternoon

    My Favorite Tea To Drink In The Afternoon

    StackedCrooked Report

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    I need a nap.
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I drink English breakfast at all times of the day except breakfast. It just makes me warm and fuzzy inside to know I’m píssing off at least one Brit, somewhere out there.

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    #77

    Oh No They Didn't

    Oh No They Didn't

    poeticinverse Report

    #78

    No Drinks

    No Drinks

    lost-on-the-highway Report

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    #79

    Where's Your God Now?

    Where's Your God Now?

    Ohiobound03 Report

    #80

    These Oranges Know What’s Up

    These Oranges Know What’s Up

    J5Screwed4Life Report

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    #81

    That'll Show 'Em!

    That'll Show 'Em!

    White_Dynamite Report

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People who leave shopping carts in the parking lot instead of returning them are a different breed.

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    #82

    Drinking Coke While Wearing A Dr. Pepper Shirt

    Drinking Coke While Wearing A Dr. Pepper Shirt

    nlwfty Report

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    Silly-Rabbit
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Makes me wonder what the taste would be like if the true powers of cola combined Pepsi, Coke, and Dr. Pepper would be??

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    #83

    Help Me Touch

    Help Me Touch

    Acceptable-Pop-7123 Report

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    #84

    Saw A Guy Plating His Food On A Buffet Tray

    Saw A Guy Plating His Food On A Buffet Tray

    MrTerrificPants Report

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    Barbara Wilcock
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Filmed for the oh so clever and intelligent inster and Tick tocks 🙄🤢

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    #85

    Went In Anyway

    Went In Anyway

    _meatpaste Report

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    #86

    Pouring Starry Into A Coke Glass

    Pouring Starry Into A Coke Glass

    nlwfty Report

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    #87

    I Put A Quartz Dial On A Mechanical Movement Because Why Not

    I Put A Quartz Dial On A Mechanical Movement Because Why Not

    ExpertTaste6303 Report

    #88

    On An Airplane And They Just Announced, "Laptops Should Not Be In Seat Back Pockets For Your Safety."

    On An Airplane And They Just Announced, "Laptops Should Not Be In Seat Back Pockets For Your Safety."

    rabidstoat Report

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    Nikki Gross
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's for safety dumbass, not because they want to inconvenience someone. Let them hit turbulence or they recline the seat in front of them and then complain when something bad happens to you or your precious laptop....people are stupid.

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