Watch out, here comes the weak! Harmonising powers in unbalanced systems
The original article by Morinosuke Kawaguchi appeared on April 7, 2009 in DIME magazine:
“ジャングル大帝」にクルマ社会の理想像をみる“
In unbalanced power systems there always are winners and losers, strong and weak. While this might be a natural and even required property in many cases, a better harmonization of power may be sought for others.
An example would be the traffic systems on our streets. The power imbalance comes from large variety of vehicles “competing”, from the big powerful trucks to the small and ill-protected mini car. In an accident, the latter will always lose against the stronger traffic participant, resulting in severe injuries to driver and vehicle.
Source: Morinosuke Kawaguchi
It would be illusionary to advise all cars to be of the same size in order to balance the system. Instead, Kawaguchi points at nature and draws from the story “Kimba, the White Lion” by manga legend Tezuka Osamu. Kawaguchi explains that weaker creatures often resort to warning signals in order to protect themselves from larger, more powerful animals that might, say, accidently step on it. Think of the wasp and its stripes in that respect. Such warning signals and patterns are deeply imprinted in our memory, and the brain recognizes the signs very rapidly.
Conversely, features following the baby schema are sending soothing signals to the brain and reduce stress in the viewer. Japanese cuteness (“kawaii”) used in otaku culture very much follows the baby schema and is probably one of the strongest “no danger from me” signals.
As a result, smaller, weaker cars need to be designed to send out warning signals that the brain picks up so they would be more accounted for on the street. Trucks, on the other hand, would be designed to have a milder, cuter appearance in order to reduce stress they cause on weaker traffic participants.
This will not reduce the damage caused in traffic accidents per se. But it helps to reduce the number of accidents in this unbalanced system. And contributes to a gentler traffic flow and reduces road rage.
