CopyRight @ 1996
move to belief FREEWAYS ?
This is another model, that is to describe some behaviors.
Consider a word like altruism. It means acting to help another.
In terms of genetics, it is extremely important, but from the
same point of view, it must be considered whether the act of
altruism "harmed" or cost the person acting altruistic or if
their assistance did not cost them. Also the idea of altruism
inherently relates to genetic relatedness. In any case, there is
great limitation to our ability to describe small, but
significant nuances to beliefs and behaviors. Consider the
meanings and consequences of any type of aggressive behavior.
Violent, active, exploitive, opportunistic, direct, indirect,
consequential,.. unconsequential.. in a social context. Some kind
of simplified model of social interactions must be developed.
There is a model where hundreds of simple social intractions can
be examined in a short period of time. Any transportation system
will serve, but after doing time on Sepulveda Pass, the system
used for this description is a freeway. This model is very
different than the previous one about cars reflecting genetics.
This model is to describe interactions that can be used to
reflect just about every social interaction. Some people go
faster and some people go slower. Most people go with traffic,
some do not care. Things are very different when the traffic is
heavy or light. The model can be used to examine consequences of
actions under different levels of load. It shows that an
aggressive / opportunist action that would be unnoticed under
conditions of low load, may be aggressive / exploitive and quite
consequential in a system with greater competition.
Have you heard of a snake? There is always rocket man there
on your left. There are dummies, crazies, clutzs and
conservatives. How about a Boston. That is where a line of left
turners travel bumper to bumper such as to prevent the cars going
straight, with the legal right of way, from proceeding. It is an
excellent analog, useful for understanding or communication, of a
particular interaction of societies. Consideration of this model
can be a great aid in conceptualizing some social interactions.
Sometimes, passing a person on the highway does not
interfere with their progress. Especially if the highway is not
crowded. If the pass is done carelessly or when competing for
limited space, it slows the person down. This is a model of
aggressiveness. Sometimes an agressive action does not effect
others. Sometimes it does. When resources are limited, the
meaning of aggressive goes from active to competitive or
exploitive. Funny little model, but worth thought.
FREEWAY MODEL
I grew up in L.A. during the period of time that included much of
the maturation of the the freeway and its associated traffic.
Sepulveda pass was partly two lanes. It is now ten plus lanes and can
take near an hour to cross if traffic is heavy. In that time, the
driving habits have visably developed. People have learned how to
make their trip smoother and efficient, in the face of some truely
nutsy traffic. People change lanes less frequently. Observation
shows that the different lanes generally move nearly equally. There
seems to be little advantage to much lane changing. Since the nature
of heavy traffic is movement in pulses, any lane moving will soon stop
and a stopped lane will soon be moving. Only an excessive number of
very fast, excellently planned moves is going to make any qualitative
difference in position. We have all tested that. A smooth, straight
drive produces the destination almost as fast as any manuervers that
are even vaguely legal. Strategy, planning of route, can help though.
Traffic is a social interaction and it illustrates social
behaviors in other social circumstances. One individuals actions,
effect others. Freeways, like society, has laws that regulate these
interactions.
On a freeway, in the context of what the traffic load is at the
time, all different forms of social interaction can occur quickly in
simple schematic form. Situations could be catagorized.
Behaviors
a. Simple non-social activite "aggressive"
Active driving on a non-crowded freeway.
b. Active exploitive ( of situation ) social "aggressive"
Taking advantage of an opening on a medium load freeway.
c. Active, aggressive, exploitive "aggresssive"
Can only be social - cutting off someone to gain motion.
d. Active, aggressive, exploitive, terratorial "aggressive"
Obstructing traffic.
e. Conformity
Driving with traffic.
f. Non-conformity, anti-social
Causing obstruction by ignoring the flow of traffic.
g. Non-conformity, social
Not with flow of traffic, but avoiding causing obstruction
By staying in slow lane
h. Failure of social behavior
Not "aggressive" active enough to be able to drive the high
energy system.
i. Stupidity
Intentional or unintentional - self explanitory.
Consequential, mistake, habit
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