The
Way We Do Things in BooklandOur System of Social Norms
For most of the history of human social organization, behavior has been regulated by more or less official sets of norms. Violators would be dealt with at the whim of a monarch or his agents, frequently in an arbitrary manner.
Sharing of power with legislatures begat the rule of law. We Booklanders hold the rule of law as the highest principle of government.
At the same time, we believe that systems of laws in many countries are so comprehensive that they deliver the message that one can and should do whatever is legal. Legal technicalities are invoked to justify what should be considered avarice. Rampant fraud, corruption of public discourse through the exercise of self-serving "public relations," and prurience are the result in many "developed" countries.
In an optimocracysuch as Bookland, the commissions are responsible for both laws and official social norms. The difference between a law and a social norm is that the latter prescribes no punishment for violation but rather puts forth a standard of behavior that should be observed by residents and visitors.
A Sampling of Official Norms
1. Avoidance of Waste
The climate controlled portion of residences in Bookland may subsume an area as follows:
Basic dwelling for one adult occupant: 75 square meters
Second adult occupant, additional 50 square meters
Each additonal adult occupant 35 square meters
Each child 22 square meters
Families with disabled members or other exceptional requirements may require more space. There are no specific guidelines and certainly no forms to be filled, fees to be paid and permits to be issued. If your neighbor is violating the letter and spirit of the standard you are entitled - and expected - to say something about it. That is the beginning and end of the sanctions.
This of course means no bureaucrats reviewing permit applications. For that matter we have a rule in Bookland: jobs that can be done by software shold be done by software; it is demeaning and dehumanizing to have humans doing such jobs. This has reduced government office space to a total of 50 square meters.
To avoid the economic problems experienced by other nations [link to WSJ story about over-leverage, the thrift disaster, etc.], Bookland requires all students to pass courses, economics.
Our Values
1. Marriage
Click here to see whether you're married to a Booklander.