Social Alert Hats

[ysabetwordsmith]

I noticed that there are social alert hats that say things like Privacy Please and Do Not Disturb.  That could be useful when going out in public.

Comments

[siliconshaman]

Assuming people pay attention to them... I have t-shirts that do the same thing, I have yet to notice they make much difference. Some people automatically assume that it doesn't apply to them, some are so oblivious that a 12ft high neon sign wouldn't be enough.

But those would probably work better in Terramagne however.

Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

They work much better in Terramagne. Part of that is exposure, though -- if they were more common here, I think more people would respond appropriately.

[siliconshaman]

Point.. that works as a self re-enforcing feedback loop in either direction.

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

Yep. There's something in game theory that bears on this. (Sorry, I don't have a reference handy) Basically in any group you need an ecosystem of actors, so that you can have soft hearted people AND people that can take sudden brunt damage without bullies taking out the sweethearts. That was the broad brush. It's sort of herd immunity.

[siliconshaman]

I think I sense some research in the future.. that sounds interesting.

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

Good!

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

Sadly, I've known people that would consider it a challenge.

[(Anonymous)]

I wonder if there's any way to make them understand that yes, it's a challenge - but it's a challenge to do what the hat (or whatever) says, so doing the opposite is failing the challenge on purpose.

(Maybe ask why they did that? And/or say it appears that failing it is easier for them, so maybe they could try harder next time?)

... I have my doubts that anything reasonable would really work, unfortunately. And trying might even make things worse... :(

-edorfaus

[we_are_spc]

Get at the kids. Kids tend to yell at their parents if the adult does something wrong.

Trying might make it worse at first, but if you try enough times, it may well turn it around. I'd rather do that, than not try at all.

-Trausio~

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

It's true that children at certain ages are pretty good educators because they've not been compromised about fairness. That's how America figured out AIDS didn't require isolation colonies.

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

Yeah. Decent people would like a heads up to better be decent but bullies love to find their targets quick and easy.

[mount_oregano]

To be honest, if I saw a pretty hat like that, I'd think it was a logo for some business or something. I don't follow fashion, so it could be the latest big-name design label for all I know, or a slogan for a new movie or the title of a hit TV show. I'd assume it's pop culture. I wouldn't get that it's a request for me to moderate my behavior.

What would clue me in to the difference?

Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

I don't look for a difference. I just avoid people wearing things like that.

However, if was concerned about such distinctions, I would look at the person's body language; or if they were speaking, listen to voice tone. People who want to interact and people who don't will behave differently.

Re: Well ...

[zeeth_kyrah]

True... and yet, I have listening skills, and apparently certain disadvantaged people see a big "PRIEST" sign over my head. I end up giving them a little positive attention to be polite, and it ends up a whole bus ride that's usually them feeling better but me feeling worked.

At least the gods are mostly nice about it when I grumble.