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One of the things I've noticed over the years is that some people cannot think outside the little lines that are set for them. These lines are either set for them by others, or they set them up themselves. For example, parking cars.

I usually get to my workplace early. I'm the guy that opens the doors, turns on the lights, and makes sure the scrubs have their coffee ready to go when they get there. As such, I usually park in the first spot in the area the big tech campus reserves for our small company. When I'm not there, people panic - not because they can't get in and turn the lights on themselves, but because something changed and they get nervous. I had one guy give me a five-minute dissertation on how he thought it was a holiday and he wasn't sure and blah blah blah until someone else pulled in...dude, I don't care. Yesterday, I came in later because I was rolling into town after going to a couple of shows over the weekend, and someone told me that he didn't see my car out there. I happened to park farther down the row outside of the reserved area because I came in at noon...and this dude literally parked beside me. (It also fucks people over that I have cars of different make, but are very similar in color and style.) I told him a couple of times that I came in late and our spots are full, but it was just blank stares as he repeated his "I didn't see your car" line.

So people are unable to think outside these little boxes they've set for themselves. I'm starting an experiment today...I'm going to start parking in different places, just to fuck with people. A psy-op on a micro scale, so to speak. Today, I've parked outside of the reserved area, in the next row over. Probably for the rest of the week, I'll park in my normal spot. Next week, maybe Tuesday, I'll park in the upper lot where you can still clearly see my car, but not in a reserved spot. Monday would have the best effect, but I don't want to abuse that one because after two days, people are just unable to think at all.

I'm going to keep track of how many frantic people I get telling me they didn't see my car out there, and how deep they go in their panic. I'll let you know.

One of the things I've noticed over the years is that some people cannot think outside the little lines that are set for them. These lines are either set for them by others, or they set them up themselves. For example, parking cars. I usually get to my workplace early. I'm the guy that opens the doors, turns on the lights, and makes sure the scrubs have their coffee ready to go when they get there. As such, I usually park in the first spot in the area the big tech campus reserves for our small company. When I'm not there, people panic - not because they can't get in and turn the lights on themselves, but because something changed and they get nervous. I had one guy give me a five-minute dissertation on how he thought it was a holiday and he wasn't sure and blah blah blah until someone else pulled in...dude, I don't care. Yesterday, I came in later because I was rolling into town after going to a couple of shows over the weekend, and someone told me that he didn't see my car out there. I happened to park farther down the row outside of the reserved area because I came in at noon...and this dude literally parked beside me. (It also fucks people over that I have cars of different make, but are very similar in color and style.) I told him a couple of times that I came in late and our spots are full, but it was just blank stares as he repeated his "I didn't see your car" line. So people are unable to think outside these little boxes they've set for themselves. I'm starting an experiment today...I'm going to start parking in different places, just to fuck with people. A psy-op on a micro scale, so to speak. Today, I've parked outside of the reserved area, in the next row over. Probably for the rest of the week, I'll park in my normal spot. Next week, maybe Tuesday, I'll park in the upper lot where you can still clearly see my car, but not in a reserved spot. Monday would have the best effect, but I don't want to abuse that one because after two days, people are just unable to think at all. I'm going to keep track of how many frantic people I get telling me they didn't see my car out there, and how deep they go in their panic. I'll let you know.

(post is archived)

[–] • 2 pts

Funny bird man usually speak about electronics, now he speak about cars. Why is this happening to me?

[–] • 1 pt

You have to think outside the lines you’ve set for yourself

[–] • 1 pt

No birds are speaking to you, they aren't real.

[–] • 2 pts

People rely on routines to automate a lot of their day. If that routine is broken, it forces them to spend extra energy, which is noticed if it's unanticipated.

[–] • 1 pt

The one dude told me he almost turned around and went home because my car wasn't in the lot. If you're so unsure of if you're supposed to be at work on Monday, then maybe you need to, I don't know...anything else?

[–] • 1 pt

Sounds like you are foundational in so many people's daily lives, one certain and trusted element in the chaos of life. I might accept that as a compliment.

[–] • 1 pt

It's time to make a little chaos. Not much, however, just a little inconvenience and panic.

[–] • 1 pt

It is shocking just how little people actually think in a given day.

They have low levels of overall awareness (even the "smart" ones). If something is not as expected they don't know how to process it.

Its like the line from The Dark Knight where the joker says something along the lines of "If I tell everyone I am going to blow up a school but then I blow up a hospital they all lose their minds". Its because even if something horrible happens as long as it was "according to plan" then they just expect it. If something else happens they can't understand or process it.

[–] • 1 pt

A little chaos and disorder is good for people. When people fall in to a pattern too tightly what happens is exactly what you describe here. Good job being that mild agent of chaos. Your experiment will ultimately be good for your fellow employees. I suggest that on a few days you park entirely outside the lot.

[–] • 1 pt

There are multiple lots on campus here. I could park on the other side of one of the buildings where no one from my company parks or comes in to. I may do that.

[–] • 1 pt

I was going to say your co‐workers are mentally retarded, but this sounds like autism. They may be on the autism spectrum.

Maybe they got a bit too much aluminum and mercury in their childhood vaccines.

[–] • 0 pt

I have no idea what's going on with some of these people.

Sportsball probably taking up too much of their limited braincells.