Harambe wrote:
gottarun215 wrote:
This is a great way of describing what's going on. +1
So we need to find better ways to benevolently manipulate the dumb people into taking basic precautions for their own health and the health of their community?
I prefer the easier solution of: trust people to make the right choice and give them freedom. If enough people are too dumb to make the right choice, roll out the mandates.
This is a loaded term, of course, but you definitely feel that the smart should treat the dumb "paternalistically." I don't know if you are a parent, but you just described a pretty common parental philosophy: try to persuade your children to do what's right (and if this succeeds, everyone is happy), but if they are too "dumb" (immature, irresponsible..) to get with the program, you lay down strict rules. Many times, that alienates the kids and they resent their parents. So you may end up with parents getting the kids to behave the way the parents want them to behave, but it negatively impacts the relationship.
So if you're saying, "While you're living under my roof, you will follow my rules!" I find that to be rational. But If you're also going to tack on "And you're gonna like it!" ... well... not that part. And if you can't understand why the kid is hacked off, there's might be some who perceive a lack of empathy.