I have had some very funny conversations with friends about Rule Nazis over the last couple of days. The reason is because, as soon as you mention the topic, people start sharing stories about their experiences with Rule Nazis. Everybody seems to have at least one good story to tell of a meaningless rule being applied over-zealously.
Here is something to think about from the real world, however - Physics is the ultimate Rule Nazi. Physics has its rules, and it is going to apply those rules with unrelenting precision and consistency. A case in point can be seen at this YouTube channel:
See also:
Low Clearance can be a real challenge for a truck driver. Especially inexperienced drivers of rental boxtrucks seem to be quite oblivious to the warning signs and flashing "overheight" warning lights at this railroad trestle in Durham, NC. So frequently do trucks crash into the 11-foot-8 clearance trestle, that the railroad company installed a crash beam in front of it. This massive steel I-beam bears the brunt of the impact, protecting the structure that supports this fairly busy railroad track. Believe it or not - they already had to replace the beam once!
Physics doesn't really care if you are "only one inch over" 11-foot 8-inches. Physics does not apply common sense or bend the rules. Physics has its rules and it applies them. Like this:
Because physics is so unrelenting and so consistent, human beings spend a lot of time and energy trying to soften the Nazism of physics. And to do that, they often use the laws of physics. For example, what is an Airbag?
An airbag is a system that uses the laws of physics (plus a little chemistry) to protect people from the laws of physics.
What is a crash barrier?
It is a system designed to use the laws of physics to protect people from the laws of physics.
What is an ejection seat?
It's a... you get the idea.
See also:
- 20 of the world's most amazing Close Calls caught on camera! -or- How Luck Works
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