It may be that I grew up in a smaller town suburb on the east coast. Rarely were doors ever locked.  On cool summer nights, doors were left propped wide open.  Now I live in a city, and that seems to be absolutely unheard of.

Theft, or personal attack I know is a real thing and a real issue.  I wouldn’t want to be naive and allow myself to be victimized.  But I don’t think locking everything constantly is the answer.  Security is an grand illusion. (as someone who knows a locksmith AND lock pickers) Locks keep people honest, and for most, they give people the illusion of security.  This should be clear to anyone that has had their place broken into or their locked car driven away.

The value of a lock is measured in
-Will it make you feel safe
-How long will it deter an aggressor
Which is more important?  I don’t think it matters.

Did you know lock companies will actually sue locksmiths or lock pickers for informing consumers about the reality of their locks. About how they can be broken, or rating them on their level of security (usually rating them in seconds until lock is disabled)

The point here is, anyone who wants to get beyond a system of “security” (like a bolt on door) bad enough.  Will get in, your feeling of safety is based on the laziness of an aggressor.  The other point here is who wants to live like that?  Who wants to be afraid of their neighbors?  Do you think it’s right that your neighbors are afraid of you?  You don’t deserve it, they probably have no reason to fear you.  You’re a good person, right?

Have you ever visited a friends house, that maybe you’ve never really just walked in the door before, You always knock, they answer?  One time they don’t answer.  You try the handle; it’s unlocked. How many times has this happened and immediately you feel guilty.  You feel like you are doing something wrong.  caught INTRUDING comes to mind.  But your intentions are totally fine, you just came to hang out.  Maybe your friend is in the wash room and its really hot standing there outside.  I think locking doors all the time is what gives good people this immediate feeling that they are doing something wrong.  It’s warped.

Yes, using locks could very well keep some bad person out.  Don’t assume everyone is awesome.  But just be aware of how locking doors might affect your outlook towards your fellow man.

Here’s another really interesting article on this topic at WIRED.com with videos of masters bumping locks, and talking about “security”

The first section of this video next is about a guy locking himself in a cabinet, its not really related, but is interesting. The second half of this video is about the exploration of lock smithing and the psychology of people who have been locked out of their own places.

-Keegan
08/12/09