Civilization is a convention. An agreement by similar parties to exist in a peaceful manner, following rules agreed upon by most. Honorable people follow even rules they disagree with, at least until/unless they are personally morally or ethically unjust. Everything we do is a by convention, mostly on an honor system to follow laws and to get along. The reality is, the authorities are neither required, nor able, to make sure that every law or agreement in our societal convention is followed. This leads to an inherently dangerous condition called freedom.

I am not going to extrapolate further except to give you some very real truths.

Every rule is followed only by those who believe it is morally ethically right and just.

Your morals and ethical code are personal. Someone else sees them as a weakness and a way to exploit you. “Never ascribe your morals to someone else, at best, you’ll be disappointed, at worst, it will get you killed.” – My Dad

There are people, many of them, who find great joy in disrupting societal conventions, some for profit, most for the feeling of power it gives them.

When the convention breaks down, no one is coming to save you. You will have to save yourself, or you will die. Act accordingly.