My Dear Friend of Democracy,
🚦 Why do you sometimes cross the street when the light is red?
The best way to stop you from doing this is probably not through heavy fines, warning glances or admonishing appeals.
The best method is the prospect that it will soon turn green.
At least, that's my recent experience in Chișinău. There, EVERY traffic light has a countdown display (including many "car" traffic lights, by the way). And there, in Moldova's capital, nobody crosses the street early. Absolutely nobody. And I've seen it for myself: When you know the light will turn green in 27 seconds, there's simply no impulse to start walking when it is still red.
And I think this example goes beyond the traffic light issue: Transparency is crucial in so many areas of social interaction. When you know how long something will take, why something is the way it is, and when things are likely to improve, your willingness to accept what's happening increases significantly.
Why?
Because we humans are free beings. We don't want to be forced into situations (not even having to stop at a red light). However, we are all the more likely to accept what is necessary if we not only recognize this necessity but also know the point in time when we will be free to go about our own business again.
The countdown timer should become commonplace. Not just at traffic lights!
See you in Democracy,
Johannes Eber