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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

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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

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

We all know cats will do the opposite of what they are told to do. This sign must be a cunning ploy to lure cats there.

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

that sign is clearly photoshopped. BP needs to be better about posting fake images.

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

Our neighbours cats come over & poo in our garden. I sprinkled some cat repellent stuff around a few days ago. Today there was 3 cats in our yard when I got home 🤣

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

Well, the cat is not sitting so he’s following the rule

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

Perfectly OK - the cat is laying on the grass, not sitting, and maybe the sign only pertains to black cats.

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

This reminds me of when my neighbour complained about our cat peeing in her yard. She said she was going to sue us AND our cat. Good luck lady because A. You can't sue a cat, and 2. Our cat died like a year ago so whichever cat is in your yard, it's not ours!

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

The stray my wife feeds left me a "present" in my cone flower container. (I took a pic and sent it to my wife but no comment yet) so I want this sign. LOL, I love cats!

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

Tigerstar dosnt care about rules anyways! He's probably plotting to take over the clans

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

Unless you live somewhere that mice and rats are destroying your grain, outdoor cats are not a good thing. They adopted the human idea of killing things for fun and wipe out native small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Please keep your pet cats inside. I've personally witnessed the carnage of two cats that caused the local extinction of a species of salamander when they climbed over the fence around the breeding pond and killed over 1000 adults.

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

The problem really is in residential areas in countries they aren't native to , put them in the wild areas of countries they are native to and they'll do fine.

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“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

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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

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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!

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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

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#18

Not Pictured: A Lot Of Husks Behind The Sign

Not Pictured: A Lot Of Husks Behind The Sign

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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 💀

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#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!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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#28

Don’t Tell Me How To Live My Life

Don’t Tell Me How To Live My Life

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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!

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#30

On The Wall Is Written "Do Not Park Backwards"

On The Wall Is Written "Do Not Park Backwards"

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Note: this post originally had 88 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.