Rules  #
Wednesday, 17 May 2006 08:33AM
I was watching a reality show recently that involved "modern" people recreating a Victorian household. Some were servents and some were rich. It was all taken very seriously.

Based on this show I conclude that in Victorian times in England, rich people sat around doing absolutely nothing while poor people wiped their asses for them.

Sure, the rich owned businesses and probably made "decisions" every now any then between naps or ranty diary entries, but it appears they didn't even have to do that.

And yet... the people on the show who's task it was to be the upper class rich people were having a horrible time. Why?

The rules! So many rules. Twenty different pieces of cutlery for meals, particular ways to wear clothes, changing clothes three or four times a day, making sure seating positions were organised so particular Lords were not offended.

Lots of rules that don't appear to make any real sense.

Rules that appear to have been created simply so that the rich had something to do.

I think humans have a natural ability to create rules out of nothing and follow them as if their life depended on it. Often they don't realise they're even doing it.

When you really think about it, it's pure insanity.

Remember all of this next time you plan a wedding.

Or watch an election.