DH111's Rule 17b

If a person were to exist, this person would know this rule in due course, no matter how ridiculous it sounds. And then it passes through generations until eventually it gets forgotten and discarded.

Father: Hey, have you read DH111's Rule 17b yet?
Jimmy: No, I don't wanna Dad!
Father: Do you wish not to be happy, knowing DH111 is protecting you?!
Jimmy: Okay, okay! Jeez...

by DH111 June 25, 2024

Theory of Iron Rule of Oligarchies

A political science principle, sometimes called the "Iron Law of Oligarchy," stating that any large organization, including democratic states and revolutionary movements, inevitably develops a ruling elite (an oligarchy) that consolidates power, serves its own interests, and becomes detached from the rank-and-file. Democracy and egalitarian ideals inevitably decay into oligarchic control because complex administration requires specialization, which leads to concentration of knowledge and power.

Theory of Iron Rule of Oligarchies Example: A grassroots political party starts with radical democracy and rotating leadership. Within a few years, a small group of full-time organizers (the Oligarchy) controls the finances, messaging, and candidate selection. The Iron Rule has manifested: the need for efficiency and expertise created a permanent, self-perpetuating leadership class that now values its own power over the party's original ideals.

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 4, 2026

Top Gear Rule

When doing an activity with friends, if one should fall behind for any reason, they are left to fend for themselves.

When Ben’s chain broke, Adam and Charlie invoked the Top Gear Rule and kept biking down the trail.

by The4thMusketeer February 11, 2026

5 year rule

A rule that says a couple should not have kids within the first 5 years of their relationship or marriage.

Damien: I love our kids, but they are too much trouble

Tasha: I know, it's hard work

Damien: We should've followed the 5 year rule, and not have them very early in our marriage

Tasha: Agreed

by chanceplan314 October 11, 2024

90/20 Rule

90/20 Rule is definition of doing something for 90 minutes and then jerking off for 20 hours.

Example:
Bro: Yo bro, what you doing?

You: Learning dawg, so fucking boring
Bro: Well remember the 90/20 rule.
You: What's that?
Bro: 90 minutes of work, 20 hours of jerking off.
90/20 rule can be used on anything.

by zuot December 26, 2024

Girl 10% Rule

Women (or girls) are required to leave at least 10% of their food behind on their plate, no matter the quantity or volume of food involved.

She left part of that bagel behind. It's the girl 10% rule in action!

by Semaj55 January 17, 2025

Kelly’s Rule of Inquiry

If you ask the top people for their opinions first, you won’t get effective advice from the people below them.

A group of people can be asked to make a decision and will march off in a direction they never would have taken by themselves.

When doctors are preparing to perform brain surgery on your wife, pull the top surgeons and physicians into a breakroom with residents and other medical staff and ask the people on the lowest rungs of the profession for their opinions on the surgery first.

Source: Astronaut Mark Kelly, husband of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, in 2014 at the annual Visitor Industry Luncheon at the Sioux Falls Convention Center
“I learned you do not want to ask the space shuttle commander, the flight director, the chief engineer or program manager his opinion first. If you do, you don’t get effective advice from the people below them.”

At Los Alamos, visitors Niels Bohr and brother Harald obeyed Kelly’s Rule of Inquiry by running their ideas on the current work by Richard Feynman before asking anyone higher up.

by WhatwasIsaying January 25, 2025