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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

-_Anonymous__- Report

#2

Doing It Right

Doing It Right

nathanemke Report

#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

#5

Yay, Loophole!

Yay, Loophole!

Pumuckl4Life Report

#6

Coyote In San Francisco

Coyote In San Francisco

the_walrus_was_paul 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.

#7

Anti Doggo

Anti Doggo

Taskmasterreal1 Report

#8

Anarchist Tricycle

Anarchist Tricycle

GardenHead90 Report

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#9

R/Norway's Got The Spirit

R/Norway's Got The Spirit

gheeboy Report

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.

#10

Too Late

Too Late

Slygirl997 Report

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#11

That's A Lot Of Anarchists

That's A Lot Of Anarchists

Pumuckl4Life Report

#12

I Did Not Find Out

I Did Not Find Out

YBtheOutlaw Report

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.

#13

Give No Fox

Give No Fox

i0nlymeow4u Report

#14

Suck It!!

Suck It!!

neuroticsmurf Report

#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

#17

Where's Your God Now

Where's Your God Now

builtCake Report

#18

Not Pictured: A Lot Of Husks Behind The Sign

Not Pictured: A Lot Of Husks Behind The Sign

ilslh Report

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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#21

Do Not Touch

Do Not Touch

Fancykiddens Report

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

#23

No Bicycle Parking On This Street

No Bicycle Parking On This Street

CatPlastic8593 Report

#24

This Camera Man Will Not Be Stopped

This Camera Man Will Not Be Stopped

G14mogs Report


#25

[insert Title Here]

[insert Title Here]

dynamiteSkunkApe Report

#26

My Grocery Store Gets It

My Grocery Store Gets It

WiJaMa Report

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#27

Where Is Your God Now

Where Is Your God Now

codefluence Report

#28

Don’t Tell Me How To Live My Life

Don’t Tell Me How To Live My Life

lazyeye888 Report

#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

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