Philosophy: in and out doors

Self-tutoring about control and rebellion: the tutor mentions assigned doors.

Numerous songs mention the idea of taking the opposite door you’re meant to. People seem fascinated by someone who does so. Yet, is there a wider reason behind the interest?

Most doors seem two-way. Yet, sometimes, one encounters a door that’s labelled “in” or “out”. It’s an opportunity to be defiant – or just to mess up. I know at least one place in town where I wish I could exit by the “in” door because of where I park.

While “in” and “out” doors are meant to regulate traffic, the additional opportunities they afford – to mistakenly take the wrong door or else take it in protest – complicate the environment because they demand more concentration than non-labelled doors. Some people don’t notice, others do but don’t care, but the spectator can’t necessarily tell the difference. Moreover, some might argue that not noticing a door is an “out” door is more a sign of anarchy than noticing it but not obeying.

Today, I witnessed a totally-normal, middle-aged woman almost exit through the same “in” door I’ve been tempted to leave by many times. “Oh,” she said, then turned to the other one. “But I just wished I could have left that way.”

I don’t imagine the store which has the “in” door so many people would like to exit by is aware of that preference among their customers. Yet, to some people, one door is obviously the “in” door, and one the other, regardless of the labelling.