Woonerf: modern day paradox

The Woonerf. A system of controlling traffic that would not even be considered an attempt at managing traffic. Ironically, it is the direction many countries are headed, and research has provided us with statistics that prove it is the right direction. This is the epitome of a modern day paradox that surprises many because the state of chaos that they expect does indeed occur, but to the benefit of society.

What is the Woonerf? Many may ask. It is a traffic management strategy started by the Netherlands where the use of traffic installations is removed in order to promote the use of "common sense" and personal awareness of drivers and pedestrians or any other road users to improve the overall safety on the roads. On Woonerf roads, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings are removed, and all roads are shared between pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles.

However, laws regarding the punishments meted out to drivers who injure cyclists and pedestrians still stand. Thus, all 3 parties stand to lose out in the event of an accident. A motorist would have to pay fines or be sent to jail for knocking down cyclists and pedestrians, and cyclists and pedestrians would be injured should they be involved in traffic accidents. With such a situation, all 3 parties would aim to reduce traffic accidents as it is not beneficial to any of the 3. Also, since they do not have any traffic installations to rely on anymore, they would be forced to observe the traffic conditions as well as the other road users around them in order to ensure that they are able to avoid traffic accidents.

The principle of the Woonerf is to reduce the reliance of people on traffic rules and installations. With traffic rules and installations already an integral part of societies, many have come under the impression that traffic accidents can be avoided so long as everyone follows traffic rules. But that in itself is the mistake. We assume that everyone will follow traffic regulations simply because we do. And because of our reliance on such a "perfect" system, we are unable to react appropriately when we are faced with individuals who decide to break these established rules. With the implementation of the Woonerf, jaywalking and running red lights has become legalised. It is not uncommon for people to hold activities on roads which are shared with cars. With so much happening and so little "attempts" at managing traffic, road users are left to "negotiate" with each other on who gets the right to use roads and who doesn't. A pedestrian who sees an oncoming speeding car would not cross the road, and a car travelling at slower speeds would allow pedestrians to cross. This is opposed to a system where a car would continue driving past a traffic light even if a pedestrian decides to jaywalk, simply because the system has given him the right of the way, or a pedestrian who crosses a junction without concern for speeding cars simply because the "green man" is up.

The Woonerf has much to show us. More than the way of managing traffic, the Woonerf has actually shown us how seemingly "perfect" systems have the potential to fail because systems, no matter how complex or how comprehensive they can get, are nothing more that "dead" objects meant to serve an inflexible role. That is also why the justice system has to have judges and lawyers who "operate" the system of rules set by a country. It is a wonder that few people have thought about injecting more life into a system like those in traffic management, which can arguably be referred to as the "heart" of nations, transporting people from one place to another. But as the Woonerf has already shown us, people have already begun to see the failures of systems when they lack a human presence. Perhaps, we would soon find ways to improve on other systems as well when we find out more of them that are failing to reap the desired results simply because they lack the human touch that has dwindled since the industrial revolution and the "rise of machines" that has replaced some roles once played by humans.

The meaning of zero (beyond its mathematical significance)

Just a random thought, but the number zero, is a really peculiar number isn't it? After much thought, this number and what it stands for is more than just another number in the number line.

The number zero, is neither an integer or a real number. It is neither positive or negative. It is neither odd nor even. For such a number, it is nothing more than a symbol of non-existence in the language of numbers. It is a presence meant to mark the absence of numbers. But yet its presence means so much more in larger numbers where a zero means more than just the absence of any other numbers. It represents a jump in the value of numbers preceding it by 10 times the value of the next digit in the number, while also signifying that the particular spot it is situated holds no value.

Zero is more than just a an absence. It is a balance, where neither positive or negative of a number is in excess. It is the thin line where any number to its left on the number line would be of the same magnitude as that of any number equidistant to zero from the right, though the 2 numbers would be opposite in direction on a vector diagram.

The symbol of zero itself is an interesting one. Shaped as a circle (though often drawn as an ellipse or oval), it is a shape without a beginning, and without an end. A symbol of eternity that, in some cultures is favoured during times events marriages. A puzzling fact that any number, no matter how insignificant it is, when divided by zero, a non-existent presence (which is in itself a paradox), would give a number so large it can only be an infinite string of numbers that run as long as eternity represented by the character used to denote zero.

Fear: what are we really afraid of?

Quite some time ago, I was asked a question that got me thinking about the logic behind such a saying. An ex-literature student asked, "what do you gather from the saying 'there is nothing to fear but fear itself'?" Not the best question to ask a science student, but of course, I tried my best to come up with a satisfactory answer. However, rethinking it, I feel there is much more to this saying than the mere need to comprehend it that I felt at that point in time. Or perhaps, its significance goes way deeper, becoming an explanation of our behaviour and how we treat challenges that come our way.

So what does this saying mean? I do not claim to have the best and most accurate interpretation, but from my understanding, it means that when an individual performs an arduous task, it might not be the nature of the task that prevents individuals from completing it, but rather, the emotions associated with completing something of that nature. Yes, it is not about what happens, but how we react to what happens. And more often than not, it is our pessimism that leads us astray. To put it into context, we can say that the saying "there is nothing to fear but fear itself" means to say that often, it isn't the daunting nature of the task that prevents us from completing it, but the fact that we become paralysed by the thought of performing such a task that we do not even dare to take the first step to complete it, and even if we do, we often get so nervous about the thought of taking up such an endeavour that we make mistakes that we would not do under normal circumstances.

Indeed, if one did not experience fear, one might not be clouded by emotions so much so that he or she is unable to see or comprehend the situations he or she is in. However, we should also bear in mind that without fear, our other emotions might no longer be in check, and we might fall to our vices since there is but nothing to fear, not even consequences. In the end, fear is a double-edged sword that has the potential to do good as well as do harm to people who feel it. And it is my belief that there is no individual who has never experienced such an emotion in their life. Certainly, what a person fears depends on his or her values and goals, but there cannot be anyone who knows no fear. After all, fear is at times what drives us to improve on our weaknesses. But we should bear in mind that fear should be used to drive us in positive ways, and not serve as another obstacle on an already painful journey ahead.

This post is dedicated to all students taking the A-levels in due time (starting from PW oral presentation tomorrow): To all students, if you feel fear (or all other emotions related to it in any way) in the exams, remember, there is nothing to fear but fear itself. Clear your mind of all emotion and see the present for nothing more than facts. Good luck and all the best for your endeavours. May you succeed in what you undertake.