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Another way of looking at this is these executives didn't necessarily agree to the "social contract," they were simply born into it. There is frequently a rath

Another way of looking at this is these executives didn't necessarily agree to the "social contract," they were simply born into it. There is frequently a rather pervasive attitude that life is competition and any rules were made to be broken. Also, many would disagree that welfare makes the "world better for everyone." A more competitive outlook would say welfare simply encourages dysgenics on a massive scale and multiplies problems.

mirimir 11y ago
> Another way of looking at this is these executives didn't necessarily agree to the "social contract," they were simply born into it. There is frequently a rather pervasive attitude that life is competition and any rules were made to be broken. All criminals think that way. > It is related that Cherry Nose Gio, rescued from drowning, spit in the lifeguard's face: "Crumb! Worka fora living.” The Place of Dead Roads by William S. Burroughs
- tedunangst 11y ago
  Hardly limited to criminals. "I never agreed to the social contract" is a pretty frequent sentiment on HN, too.
  - sharemywin 11y ago
    Hard to want to do business with someone that's looking to screw me over at every opportunity. That's the problem with america today a handshake don't mean what it used to.
jondubois 11y ago
I think some level of welfare is necessary. When you're born into poverty, you have very little control over your life - Getting out of it is nearly impossible. Society should account for this. People born into poverty also didn't agree to any "social contract" - They were screwed from the beginning.
Terr_ 11y ago
Their parents initially accepted the contract for them, since obviously newborn babies can't be fully-autonomous legal entities. Most "executives" are part of a socioeconomic class who could have left for a different society/jurisdiction if they had wanted to. Staying and then quietly flaunting the "contract" is, if not "fraud", at least acting in bad-faith.

mirimir 11y ago

> Another way of looking at this is these executives didn't necessarily agree to the "social contract," they were simply born into it. There is frequently a rather pervasive attitude that life is competition and any rules were made to be broken. All criminals think that way. > It is related that Cherry Nose Gio, rescued from drowning, spit in the lifeguard's face: "Crumb! Worka fora living.” The Place of Dead Roads by William S. Burroughs

tedunangst 11y ago
Hardly limited to criminals. "I never agreed to the social contract" is a pretty frequent sentiment on HN, too.
- sharemywin 11y ago
  Hard to want to do business with someone that's looking to screw me over at every opportunity. That's the problem with america today a handshake don't mean what it used to.

jondubois 11y ago

I think some level of welfare is necessary. When you're born into poverty, you have very little control over your life - Getting out of it is nearly impossible. Society should account for this. People born into poverty also didn't agree to any "social contract" - They were screwed from the beginning.

Terr_ 11y ago

Their parents initially accepted the contract for them, since obviously newborn babies can't be fully-autonomous legal entities. Most "executives" are part of a socioeconomic class who could have left for a different society/jurisdiction if they had wanted to. Staying and then quietly flaunting the "contract" is, if not "fraud", at least acting in bad-faith.