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>If every time you took an ambulance you were forced to sign over 80% of your wealth or be left to die in the streets in a 'voluntary exchange', that would be e

by pliny 11y ago

>If every time you took an ambulance you were forced to sign over 80% of your wealth or be left to die in the streets in a 'voluntary exchange', that would be exploitation. What is wrong with this scenario? If there were no ambulance service I automatically choose "Die" (which is, apart from matters of inheritance, always the wrong choice), but if there is the ambulance service I can buy my life for the relatively meagre price of 80% of my wealth, then having neither children nor wife I would take that deal ten times out of ten.

crdoconnor 11y ago
I presume you're familiar with the term "false dilemma" and how it applies to your post?
- pliny 11y ago
  I don't see the false dilemma, I think you're hinting at a third choice where the ambulance company charges a price that is not extortionate, but if that was part of the hypothetical then, sure, I would have chosen to get my emergency care from the company that charges less (but it's not, the GP postulated that all ambulance companies charge 80%). Either way it's not exploitation, even if there's a company that charges prices that always bankrupt their patients, I still choose broke over dead, and if I wanted to choose dead I can do that too.
logfromblammo 11y ago
All prices, everywhere, are limited in some way by the cost of a torches-and-pitchforks mob to storm the chateau. I'd pay the price on the spot, because I like not being dead. But afterward, I think I'd try to rob that guy to get my 80% back, and maybe some of the 80% from some other people. That's not a "thank you so much, you're my hero" price. That's a "better watch your back" price. When too many people start to see you as a parasite upon their community rather than a foundation pillar for it, they will certainly reduce their rate of cooperation with you, and some may retaliate. You may have to acquire a taste for other people's spit in your restaurant food, for instance. And worst of all, you may motivate someone to launch a business in direct competition with yours. Then, if your choice is 80% to the dirty exploiter or waiting a few more minutes for a Medic-Uber to pick you up take you to the hospital, you would almost have to be gushing blood from a major artery to accept the former.

by pliny 11y ago

crdoconnor 11y ago

I presume you're familiar with the term "false dilemma" and how it applies to your post?

pliny 11y ago
I don't see the false dilemma, I think you're hinting at a third choice where the ambulance company charges a price that is not extortionate, but if that was part of the hypothetical then, sure, I would have chosen to get my emergency care from the company that charges less (but it's not, the GP postulated that all ambulance companies charge 80%). Either way it's not exploitation, even if there's a company that charges prices that always bankrupt their patients, I still choose broke over dead, and if I wanted to choose dead I can do that too.

logfromblammo 11y ago

All prices, everywhere, are limited in some way by the cost of a torches-and-pitchforks mob to storm the chateau. I'd pay the price on the spot, because I like not being dead. But afterward, I think I'd try to rob that guy to get my 80% back, and maybe some of the 80% from some other people. That's not a "thank you so much, you're my hero" price. That's a "better watch your back" price. When too many people start to see you as a parasite upon their community rather than a foundation pillar for it, they will certainly reduce their rate of cooperation with you, and some may retaliate. You may have to acquire a taste for other people's spit in your restaurant food, for instance. And worst of all, you may motivate someone to launch a business in direct competition with yours. Then, if your choice is 80% to the dirty exploiter or waiting a few more minutes for a Medic-Uber to pick you up take you to the hospital, you would almost have to be gushing blood from a major artery to accept the former.