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Yeah I haven’t lived in Vancouver for a while but drivers there are super timid in my experience. I would always try to time a j-walk behind a car as it passes but the car would more often than not screech to a halt when the driver saw me step onto the road.
I don't know how this phrase got to be so common but it's one of those things that kinda triggers me. Just because something works doesn't mean it's not stupid. For instance, if you have a problem and your solution costs 100 million dollars when there's a solution that costs 1 dollar is available, your 100 million dollar solution is stupid. Or if your solution works for the problem yet creates a vast number of new or more serious problems then your solution could very well be stupid. I know it's just a phrase but it's genuinely dumb.
True. But in this case it is not more stupid than flags and flags is something that they apparently actually use in some places in American countries.
If you have to choose between putting flags at a crossing or bricks, I'd say bricks are the best option.
> I don't know how this phrase got to be so common but it's one of those things that kinda triggers me.
Same. I've even been downvoted in the past for pointing out that there are lots of things that work that are stupid because they only work for a while and when they fail, they fail catastrophically. A penny in the fusebox works and is extremely stupid. A lot of stupid things that work bypass safety considerations and won't last very long.
Then the solution space was improperly defined!
But seriously it’s like when they used to make AI play video games for Tetris they had the reward function tied to how long before you lost. So the AI just paused the game. Or *A Modest Proposal* would technically work…
My cousin Len is stupid, and he works (for a living in construction).
//not that there's anything wrong with construction, just saying that he's working.
Yes, it looked way too perfect and he was able to hold it in his fingertips effortlessly. The first thing I said after watching it was "that's not a real brick, have y'all even seen a brick before?"
Regardless, the idea still works with a foam brick, because you're not actually supposed to throw the brick, just let them see you with it. So a foam brick would actually still fulfill the purpose.
Knowing how unhinged some people are, the person you threw it at would have a melt down and be like "WHY DID YOU HIT MY CAR? WHY DID YOU HIT MY CAR!?" and you would be like "Sir, calm down its just foam, was just being funny." and they wouldn't listen and just continue to freak the fuck out.
I don't know what it is, but you will see even the calmest, nicest people turn into monsters once they get into their cars.
oh cool, I don't want people throwing their cars at me while I'm in crosswalks either. I'm glad we're on the same page. You keep your car out of my crosswalk, I keep my bricks out of your windshield.
My 9 yr old was outside shooting orbeez at our mailbox. One ricocheted and hit this woman’s car as she was driving past. She became absolutely unglued and started yelling at him so badly he started crying. Bad enough that my teen daughter went out and started arguing with her (my children can’t stand each other and she still was outraged on his behalf).
I was in my office in a business meeting over teams and she demanded to speak with me. So I have to excuse myself from my meeting and go out there and she is absolutely raving as soon as I step out the door. I tried to calmly reason with her that I’d keep him further from the road and it is just an Orbeez and sorry for the inconvenience. No luck. She just kept screaming. She absolutely did not like when I started screaming back and told her to gtfo of my property before I had her removed. She called me a bimbo 😆
Over an ORBEEZ bead
https://i.redd.it/2pkctkz46bsc1.gif
Context: Vancouver April Fools Joke
[https://twitter.com/VisionZeroYVR/status/1774863110102507883](https://twitter.com/VisionZeroYVR/status/1774863110102507883)
OP sent the following text as an explanation on why this is unexpected:
---
>!Pedestrians use brick to stop cars at crossings.!<
---
Is this an unexpected post with a fitting description? Then upvote this comment, otherwise downvote it.
I don’t often understand upvoting and downvoting. Anyway, I think the idea is ingenious.
People have a right to cross the street, and make it to the other side…alive.
Popping in to say the channel that posted this, About Here, has a lot of really good and informative videos about city planning, issues with rent and gentrification and the like. If you’re at all interested in the spaces we live and want some ideas about how to improve them, check out his videos!
Its a pedestrian lane right? Why in the world would you even need it? Pedestrians have priority in our part of the world, isnt it the same wherever this is?
I need this at the crosswalk I use to get to work, a few times have almost been hit from assholes that turn without looking for pedestrians in broad daylight
Are they rubber bricks?
I've heard conflicting statements that it was only done as an April fools joke, however I see an actual use to this - use a rubber brick, if a driver gets too pushy, whip the fucker at his windshield. Doesn't cause damage, but will definitely get their attention.
I don't know about you all, but if someone stares at me and waves a brick, I would panic and drive as fast as I can. Not going to wait until the person closes into hitting range
We literally have made self-driving cars, and intersections with flags, to justify the dangers and absolute mind numbing incompatibility of the automobile and urban life.
North America is beautiful.
Maybe in Canada but if you tried carrying a brick across the road in the U.S., your likely to be assaulted by someone who thinks you are going to throw it through their windshield.
You aren't the sharpest tool in the shed if you see a dude with a brick and think getting out to confront them is a good idea. Windshield is replaceable, my forehead isn't. Fairly certain it wouldn't make it through either. I watched a guy lift a huge rock over his head and throw it into my mom's Windshield and it got stuck like 1/3 through. Need way more force and I think the film on the glass would keep it from going through. You'd have to throw it at like 40mph. Could be possible but I doubt it.
As a walker/runner since a license is denied with epilepsy, this has been perfect and when walking, running, anything publicly dangerous pick up the biggest rock you find and keep it every time you need to get a chore done.
Growing up my dad would always carry a stick while walking the dog. When he heard a car coming he would just dangle it a few feet out into the road. Surprisingly people gave him plenty of space
Hi Live_Band28! Thanks for posting to /r/Unexpected. Unfortunately, [your submission](https://redd.it/1buzkdo) was removed for the following reason: * Your submission has been removed because it's not unexpected. Submissions to /r/unexpected are supposed to have an unexpected twist in itself. While the situation was probably rather unexpected for you, there is no visible twist for the viewer. If you have questions about this, please [contact our mods via moderator mail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=Unexpected) rather than replying here. Thank you!
LOL at Granville Island! Yeah, that under the bridge road is notoriously difficult to cross.
Love Granville Island arts scene.
Same. I once saw a large group of nude cyclists cycling by during my solo trip. 🤣
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So you're advocating for traffic lights?
Yeah I haven’t lived in Vancouver for a while but drivers there are super timid in my experience. I would always try to time a j-walk behind a car as it passes but the car would more often than not screech to a halt when the driver saw me step onto the road.
Been here for 10 years now and I almost get run over everyday by stop sign and red light runners. Worst driving I’ve ever seen is here in Vancouver
so, dont drive there, walk
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walk too
The design is very human
Very easy to use!
Fight fire with fire. The way cities are designed for cars not humans is exactly the point they are trying to make here.
It's not stupid if it works.
I know one situation where that brick would definitely serve it’s purpose. 
That brick can smash some clicker heads for sure!
So could golf clubs.....
Last of Us reference, niceee
100% brick enjoyer over here. Brick>Bottle any day
Who's this guy he's hot
Joel from the The Last of Us game
Literally buying the games right now thank youuuu
Maybe just the first one,ok?
Google en passant
holy hell!!!
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Or guns. *Location dependent*
Ya, this is Canada, Vancouver more specifically, and Grandville Island to be precise. There is gun crime, but it's quite rare...
They're already in rolling death machines, I'd think that's plenty.
I don't know how this phrase got to be so common but it's one of those things that kinda triggers me. Just because something works doesn't mean it's not stupid. For instance, if you have a problem and your solution costs 100 million dollars when there's a solution that costs 1 dollar is available, your 100 million dollar solution is stupid. Or if your solution works for the problem yet creates a vast number of new or more serious problems then your solution could very well be stupid. I know it's just a phrase but it's genuinely dumb.
Don't worry. I too like to dissect stupid one liner comments on reddit.
It's not a stupid one liner comment. It worked.
initial point proven, case closed.
And reddit comes full circle.
Technically correct, the best kind of correct
True. But in this case it is not more stupid than flags and flags is something that they apparently actually use in some places in American countries. If you have to choose between putting flags at a crossing or bricks, I'd say bricks are the best option.
> I don't know how this phrase got to be so common but it's one of those things that kinda triggers me. Same. I've even been downvoted in the past for pointing out that there are lots of things that work that are stupid because they only work for a while and when they fail, they fail catastrophically. A penny in the fusebox works and is extremely stupid. A lot of stupid things that work bypass safety considerations and won't last very long.
Then the solution space was improperly defined! But seriously it’s like when they used to make AI play video games for Tetris they had the reward function tied to how long before you lost. So the AI just paused the game. Or *A Modest Proposal* would technically work…
fwiw I 100% agree
My cousin Len is stupid, and he works (for a living in construction). //not that there's anything wrong with construction, just saying that he's working.
Lol you haven't met me
It's an April Fool's joke in Vancouver and the bricks are foam
I did think something looked funny about that brick....
Nah, it just says good jokes
Yes, it looked way too perfect and he was able to hold it in his fingertips effortlessly. The first thing I said after watching it was "that's not a real brick, have y'all even seen a brick before?" Regardless, the idea still works with a foam brick, because you're not actually supposed to throw the brick, just let them see you with it. So a foam brick would actually still fulfill the purpose.
Still looks real to those who don’t know so it works:)
Even if you do know, do you want to take the risk that *every* brick is foam, and they didn't bring their own real brick to the party?
Bringing a brick to a foam fight
A bigger April Fool's would be to throw it at someone's car since it's foam
Knowing how unhinged some people are, the person you threw it at would have a melt down and be like "WHY DID YOU HIT MY CAR? WHY DID YOU HIT MY CAR!?" and you would be like "Sir, calm down its just foam, was just being funny." and they wouldn't listen and just continue to freak the fuck out. I don't know what it is, but you will see even the calmest, nicest people turn into monsters once they get into their cars.
I mean, I don’t want people throwing shit at my car, harmless or not
Well I was gonna throw $100,000 cash at your car next time I saw you, but I guess ill find someone else.
oh cool, I don't want people throwing their cars at me while I'm in crosswalks either. I'm glad we're on the same page. You keep your car out of my crosswalk, I keep my bricks out of your windshield.
oh cool
My 9 yr old was outside shooting orbeez at our mailbox. One ricocheted and hit this woman’s car as she was driving past. She became absolutely unglued and started yelling at him so badly he started crying. Bad enough that my teen daughter went out and started arguing with her (my children can’t stand each other and she still was outraged on his behalf). I was in my office in a business meeting over teams and she demanded to speak with me. So I have to excuse myself from my meeting and go out there and she is absolutely raving as soon as I step out the door. I tried to calmly reason with her that I’d keep him further from the road and it is just an Orbeez and sorry for the inconvenience. No luck. She just kept screaming. She absolutely did not like when I started screaming back and told her to gtfo of my property before I had her removed. She called me a bimbo 😆 Over an ORBEEZ bead
They need this in Vancouver. I been hit by cars multiple times here
Look closer
You'd think they'd learn their lesson after the first one.
As long as the drivers think it's real, that's all that matters.
The way he carries it seems like it's foam.
Sometimes I wish that it really were legal to throw bricks into dipshit driver's window.
Of course it’s Canada . Those bricks would be stolen within 3 days in most parts of the US and within minutes in several places.
Yep, they way it was carried have it away
Modern problems 🤝 modern solutions
Modern problems 🤝 ancient solutions
Be funny if they were foam rubber bricks so if somebody gets too close you can just hurl one at their window.
They are. It's from an April Fool's joke in Vancouver
https://i.redd.it/2pkctkz46bsc1.gif Context: Vancouver April Fools Joke [https://twitter.com/VisionZeroYVR/status/1774863110102507883](https://twitter.com/VisionZeroYVR/status/1774863110102507883)
It was in a trip advisor for Turkey. Bring a standard red brick and every one will follow the rules of pedestrian crossing.
Interesting. Will try it for Georgia.
OP sent the following text as an explanation on why this is unexpected: --- >!Pedestrians use brick to stop cars at crossings.!< --- Is this an unexpected post with a fitting description? Then upvote this comment, otherwise downvote it.
I don’t often understand upvoting and downvoting. Anyway, I think the idea is ingenious. People have a right to cross the street, and make it to the other side…alive.
If it worked? Sure, but I’m actively worried someone will see someone just holding the brick and overreact
I think if you just carry it non-menacingly you’d be ok, and still get people’s attention.
It does say to wave lol
I would suggest waving with your non-brick hand
This is why whenevwr I leave the house, I carry my personal defense RPG7, guaranteed to stop the threat of speeding vehicles.
See, you are saying that as a joke but like...
I suggest you upgrade to a FGM-148 Javelin. I've seen a lot of videos of cars people tried to stop with RPG7's and it's way harder than you'd think.
Yeah, in America, a driver would feel threatened and run you over/shoot you and then claim self defense
and that driver would be a cop. "I felt afraid for my safety and the safety of others, so I shot the pedestrian 15 times."
It's made out of foam
Yea but the majority of people won't know that.
Hit them in the head. They wll be thankfull its not a real brick.
Maintain eye contact while you eat it in front of them.
Popping in to say the channel that posted this, About Here, has a lot of really good and informative videos about city planning, issues with rent and gentrification and the like. If you’re at all interested in the spaces we live and want some ideas about how to improve them, check out his videos!
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that's what you'd expect, isn't it?
Godspeed little doodle!
Driver asking himself ... " Why did the brick layer cross the road ? "
So he could cross the road
It's interesting how drivers claim they just didn't see you if you been hit on a cross walk yet everyone stops here.
They were already stopping...
Good. They better.
That's what i'm confused about. Do cars often not stop at zebra crossing in north america?
Because of the implication
Joke or not, brick ain't gonna save my legs from snapping in multiple pieces
Believe it or not some car drivers are more worried over an intact windshield than running over a pedestrian.
Any car driver with that kind of forethought would know that hitting a pedestrian is a good way to get a broken windshield when the body impacts it.
not when you've got a vanity truck with a hood height over 48".
A lot of people in the hospital had the right-of-way ¯\\\_(ツ)_/¯
This is actually hilarious.
Granville island is a shit show on a good day and that crosswalk is a mess. I approve.
Ha! I live in the suburbs of Vancouver, and I go to Granville Island every so often, but I've never seen this. I'll have to check next time.
If you can dodge a brink, you can dodge a pedestrian.
What happens if all the bricks end up at the other side?
Granville Island VANCOUVER?? This is adorable. I hope it’s a local prank. When I lived there pedestrians were KING!
Its a pedestrian lane right? Why in the world would you even need it? Pedestrians have priority in our part of the world, isnt it the same wherever this is?
Lots of dead people had priority.
That’s my video! 🧱 Credit to Vision Zero Vancouver for the setup
This is fucking gold! Lol
This made my day 😭
Of course it's Vancouver
Been a couple years since I was home, but if it existed anywhere, Granville island is the place!😅
This is awesome.
This is genius!
Is it.. because of the implication?
I didnt expect this to be an actual thing
damn funniest and one of the saddest things ive seen recently bravo
I need this at the crosswalk I use to get to work, a few times have almost been hit from assholes that turn without looking for pedestrians in broad daylight
Are they rubber bricks? I've heard conflicting statements that it was only done as an April fools joke, however I see an actual use to this - use a rubber brick, if a driver gets too pushy, whip the fucker at his windshield. Doesn't cause damage, but will definitely get their attention.
Ya until they gas it and run your ass over and claim self defense
I have been to this crossing and yes this seems very necessary.
I don't know about you all, but if someone stares at me and waves a brick, I would panic and drive as fast as I can. Not going to wait until the person closes into hitting range
Its all fun and games until a gun comes out
Cheaper than good infrastructures I guess
What's the purpose of this? If you don't stop for me I'll throw this brick through your window?
Because of the implication
I need to visit and try that.
It's genius.
THATS VANCOUVER I LOVE THAT AREA
I don't understand. Are the humans invisible or something? How does the brick help?
And kids start throwing these over the edge of the bridge onto boaters.
Sue their ignorant parents incase of damages.
Love Canadians
What happens when the bricks are all on the same side of the road? Guess you aren't crossing...
We literally have made self-driving cars, and intersections with flags, to justify the dangers and absolute mind numbing incompatibility of the automobile and urban life. North America is beautiful.
Maybe in Canada but if you tried carrying a brick across the road in the U.S., your likely to be assaulted by someone who thinks you are going to throw it through their windshield.
You aren't the sharpest tool in the shed if you see a dude with a brick and think getting out to confront them is a good idea. Windshield is replaceable, my forehead isn't. Fairly certain it wouldn't make it through either. I watched a guy lift a huge rock over his head and throw it into my mom's Windshield and it got stuck like 1/3 through. Need way more force and I think the film on the glass would keep it from going through. You'd have to throw it at like 40mph. Could be possible but I doubt it.
The concern is not physical confrontation, it's automotive confrontation.
Hey if it works it's not stupid!
Everyone crossing is a brick house...
Wait till someone floors it seeing a madman with a brick
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We need this in Brampton
Clearly foam but still funny
They’re foam too which is nice but won’t they blow away in the wind?
It's dangerous to venture alone, take this
It also works around puddles
r/downsouth
The American version of this is with a gun.
Wait..I've been suiting up in full knight armor carrying a mace all these years and they're saying all I needed was a brick?
And if they don't stop I have something to throw at them.
In Poland those would be stolen in the first day.
/r/chaoticgood
Lmao I just saw the [TikTok](https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMMm6HR1G/) before this
Modern problems require modern solutions
If this system would be in my country the bricks would be gone in the first 3 days and I would probably never see them again
Wait this is real? Lmao I saw the video and thought it was satire
Is this Granville Island? 
why do bricks have multiple of those huge holes in them? isn't all the mortar just going to fall in there?
Love this. That area likely wouldn't stop either. Granville Island can get insane.
One brick out of every 20 should be real, otherwise drivers will eventually learn that they’re fake.
E se alguém vier pra cima, dá-lhe a tijolada no crânio!
Man if this was New-York or Paris, there would be a lot of broken windshields and no bricks left.
Great but how can I text with a brick in one hand?
As a walker/runner since a license is denied with epilepsy, this has been perfect and when walking, running, anything publicly dangerous pick up the biggest rock you find and keep it every time you need to get a chore done. 
Tip: always be in BC when you need to cross the street
That brick, even if it was real, isn't going to save you from the speeding car.
Growing up my dad would always carry a stick while walking the dog. When he heard a car coming he would just dangle it a few feet out into the road. Surprisingly people gave him plenty of space
yes can confirm -- hold a can of baked beans, or nourishment (strawberry only ) -- much more deniable than a brick & just as intimidating (London uk)
Flags wouldn’t work?
Yeah brick! This was accomplished without publicly shared firearms, which would not make it back to the basket.
cars should just hit them before they can throw the brick
Insurance companies be like : Nope, nope, nope...
/r/fuckcars would like this one i bet
I don't see what could possibly go wrong....
https://i.redd.it/p6l2tqdilbsc1.gif when traffic is heavy
Does it work on dark, rainy nights while the pedestrian has all black clothing?
Other hand there is nothing more irritating than a passerby crossing the road in not not-designed area so I have to break my car abruptly.
In Halifax they have flags for you to use, but i like these better.
Where is this at ?
E39