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This is one of those comments that will later be quoted in some Buzzfeed article about why HN is a soulless libertarian shit hole. And, quite frankly, I’d have

This is one of those comments that will later be quoted in some Buzzfeed article about why HN is a soulless libertarian shit hole. And, quite frankly, I’d have to agree. The only redeemable counter argument is: it never got taken seriously, just downvoted, so it’s not representative of the tone of discussion. Although it’s awfully close to some of the other threads here, I’m happy we collectively chose to draw the line at an argument honestly comparing computer repair to health care. (I can’t even believe I’m typing this; please don’t ever ask me to explain that again).

humanrebar 9y ago
That's a very irrational thought process, but thanks for not leaving me in the dark. I was just comparing the aspect of non-experts making big decisions based on expert advice. I wasn't saying a wiped hard drive is the same as cancer. But it's also not true that any health problem (getting the flu, cutting your finger pitting an avocado) is worse than any computer problem (losing the only copy of your dissertation, getting phished for thousands of dollars). Part of the way out of the dialectic gridlock we're having is to stop treating every health issue like it's both confusing and life threatening. But there are certainly edge cases. Nobody wants people dying of cancer due to bad advice or lack of funds. > I’m happy we collectively chose to draw the line at an argument honestly comparing computer repair to health care People not listening to people isn't the most human (or soulful) option on the table.
- nothrabannosir 9y ago
  I see what you mean. To be honest, my problem with the original comment was the lack of clarification and contextualisation. When it comes to sensitive issues (like health and people losing their actual lives), I think it's not OK to forego acknowledging the human aspect and focus on numbers or economic theory alone. A good point can be made poorly, and it can hurt and alienate a lot of people in the process. Flatly "telling it like it is" does not always benefit mutual understanding or societal healing; it risks driving us further apart. Which is an ironic thing for me to say, because I put my foot in my mouth every other day. I guess it really does take one to know one :)
cgmg 9y ago
What you're saying is you don't have a proper response, and therefore choose to disparage the comment in some imaginary meta-context. Buzzfeed? Seriously? Who cares what Buzzfeed thinks?

humanrebar 9y ago

That's a very irrational thought process, but thanks for not leaving me in the dark. I was just comparing the aspect of non-experts making big decisions based on expert advice. I wasn't saying a wiped hard drive is the same as cancer. But it's also not true that any health problem (getting the flu, cutting your finger pitting an avocado) is worse than any computer problem (losing the only copy of your dissertation, getting phished for thousands of dollars). Part of the way out of the dialectic gridlock we're having is to stop treating every health issue like it's both confusing and life threatening. But there are certainly edge cases. Nobody wants people dying of cancer due to bad advice or lack of funds. > I’m happy we collectively chose to draw the line at an argument honestly comparing computer repair to health care People not listening to people isn't the most human (or soulful) option on the table.

nothrabannosir 9y ago
I see what you mean. To be honest, my problem with the original comment was the lack of clarification and contextualisation. When it comes to sensitive issues (like health and people losing their actual lives), I think it's not OK to forego acknowledging the human aspect and focus on numbers or economic theory alone. A good point can be made poorly, and it can hurt and alienate a lot of people in the process. Flatly "telling it like it is" does not always benefit mutual understanding or societal healing; it risks driving us further apart. Which is an ironic thing for me to say, because I put my foot in my mouth every other day. I guess it really does take one to know one :)

cgmg 9y ago

What you're saying is you don't have a proper response, and therefore choose to disparage the comment in some imaginary meta-context. Buzzfeed? Seriously? Who cares what Buzzfeed thinks?