Friday, February 01, 2013

Keeping fit

I liked this idea from a splendid new book by James C Scott:
One day you will be called on to break a big law in the name of justice and rationality.  Everything will depend on it. You have to be ready. How are you going to prepare for that day when it really matters? You have to stay 'in shape' so that when the big day comes you will be ready. What you need is 'anarchist calisthenics'. Every day or so break some trivial law that makes no sense, even if it is only jaywalking. Use your own head to judge whether a law is just or reasonable. That way, you'll keep trim; and when the big day comes, you'll be ready.
And you don't even have to wear Lycra.

1 comment:

asdf said...

"Every day or so break some trivial law that makes no sense, even if it is only jaywalking"

Laws against jay-walking are sensible. Maybe not paying your taxes ...