I think this idea is a serious, highly consequential error (when broadly accepted). It's the corrupt and criminal who say, 'everybody does it'.[0] If you study

I think this idea is a serious, highly consequential error (when broadly accepted). It's the corrupt and criminal who say, 'everybody does it'.[0] If you study the professional practice of propaganda, you'll find that they use this argument too - it covers for them and attempts to paralyze their targets (which is commonly the true aim of propaganda - confusion and paralysis). There are very important, consequential differences between people and between organizations; some should be trusted, some supported, ignored, opposed, shunned, and some should be jailed. It's all the difference between a just, functional, prosperous and free society on one hand, and on the other hand a corrupt one where such things are despairingly accepted as inevitable. We can do and have done much better than that. [0] To avoid any doubt: The parent commenter is not a criminal; the ideas are the same.