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Isn't that the exact point of a free market? It only works if we have a method of handling externalities, the one our society has chosen is the courts. Politics
by frgtpsswrdlame 9y ago
Isn't that the exact point of a free market? It only works if we have a method of handling externalities, the one our society has chosen is the courts. Politics don't even have to get involved. Your company ruined my air, now pay me; your company ruined my beachfront property, now pay me.
- briandear 9y agoFarting cows ruin the air. A baby exhaling ruins the air. Volcanos ruin the air. What percentage of temperature is directly and certainly caused by oil? Not “50 years from now” but right now. You can’t sue for something that hasn’t happened yet. There’s a thing called standing. Also, you can’t prove a harm happened until it actually happened. This isn’t pre-crime.
- great_idea 9y agoWell, you can't sue a volcano, and a baby exhaling does definitely not ruin the air in any significant sense. Cows do, though—we should definitely sue people raising cows for ruining it for everyone.
- BFatts 9y agoYeah, babies exhaling (and all people too) are producing CO2 which is a greenhouse gas. So, yeah, it is significant enough to pay attention to. However, without killing off a bunch of people we can't eliminate this problem. So, I suppose it's easier to sue farmers and oil companies than individuals - let's all get on board! yay!
- damnstraight 9y ago> Yeah, babies exhaling (and all people too) are producing CO2 which is a greenhouse gas. Compare this to the methane emissions of a single cow. You're being reductive to the point of being offensive.
- pcardh0 9y ago"Now pay me" reminds me of Goodfellas
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]