4 ms·

Survival is inherently 'selfish', selfishness is the fundamental basis of organic life.

Fnoord 8y ago
That doesn't justify this behavior. If I were in a trolley problem and would have to decide between my own life or my daughter's I would die to save her life. Likewise, if this society does things which endanger my daughter's life I'd like such threats eliminated. I'm convinced this is one of the destructive examples, especially if it becomes popular or the norm.
- monkeynotes 8y ago
  Your daughter's life is pretty closely tied to the survival of your genes. This sort of philosophical debate has been discussed for centuries though.
- brokenmachine 8y ago
  So if your daughter was cycling, would you want her to have flashing lights so she can be seen by drivers?
  - Fnoord 8y ago
    Of course not, she'll be seen by normal lights.
    - monkeynotes 8y ago
      Well, according to some research flashing lights are more likely to be noticed: https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/pdf/iesna01a.pdf https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/pdf/iesna01a.pdf > Flashing lights will be perceived as having higher brightness than steady-burning lights, up to a flash frequency of about 15 flashes per second. Such brightness enhancement can aid in conspicuity, and several rear lighting systems have been designed to have a flash rate between 5 and 9 flashes per second in order to maximize their perceived brightness. I think deep down we all know this anyway, which is why we want flashing lights if we are on a bike amongst traffic. Why on earth would emergency vehicles and maintenance vehicles use flashing lights if they were equally effective to steady lighting? Your daughter's bike would be far more noticeable with flashing lights.
      - Fnoord 8y ago
        That paper is about rear lights on snowmobiles, in snow (in upstate New York). My daughter doesn't have blinking lights on the back of her snowmobile. It barely even snows here. If it snows, the roads can be dangerous for bicyclists due to weather conditions. I'd rather bring her to school myself in such a situation, or buy her public transport instead. Blinking lights in traffic serve to warn us about danger. Bicyclists are just normal cyclists; so the other users of traffic get warning fatigue via your method. A reflector (legally required to be on a bicycle on the back) is going to adequately help them. As a runner, I also wear clothes which contain reflections.
        brokenmachine 8y ago
        I think the general idea that flashing is more noticeable than steady can be taken from the paper. Seems like common sense to me. I'm a cyclist and I'll stick with my flashing lights, thanks. I have steady lights as well so drivers can track my motion. Whatever it takes for those oblivious and distracted SUV idiots to actually notice that I'm there. I've had a few very close calls already, I guess those poor long-suffering drivers must have had warning fatigue. /s I'm a driver as well and I don't find flashing lights on bikes very distracting while driving. What's much worse are the cyclists with no lights, which makes it difficult to judge their position, or even to notice their existence at all.

That doesn't justify this behavior. If I were in a trolley problem and would have to decide between my own life or my daughter's I would die to save her life. Likewise, if this society does things which endanger my daughter's life I'd like such threats eliminated. I'm convinced this is one of the destructive examples, especially if it becomes popular or the norm.

monkeynotes 8y ago
Your daughter's life is pretty closely tied to the survival of your genes. This sort of philosophical debate has been discussed for centuries though.
brokenmachine 8y ago
So if your daughter was cycling, would you want her to have flashing lights so she can be seen by drivers?
- Fnoord 8y ago
  Of course not, she'll be seen by normal lights.
  - monkeynotes 8y ago
    Well, according to some research flashing lights are more likely to be noticed: https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/pdf/iesna01a.pdf https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/pdf/iesna01a.pdf > Flashing lights will be perceived as having higher brightness than steady-burning lights, up to a flash frequency of about 15 flashes per second. Such brightness enhancement can aid in conspicuity, and several rear lighting systems have been designed to have a flash rate between 5 and 9 flashes per second in order to maximize their perceived brightness. I think deep down we all know this anyway, which is why we want flashing lights if we are on a bike amongst traffic. Why on earth would emergency vehicles and maintenance vehicles use flashing lights if they were equally effective to steady lighting? Your daughter's bike would be far more noticeable with flashing lights.
    - Fnoord 8y ago
      That paper is about rear lights on snowmobiles, in snow (in upstate New York). My daughter doesn't have blinking lights on the back of her snowmobile. It barely even snows here. If it snows, the roads can be dangerous for bicyclists due to weather conditions. I'd rather bring her to school myself in such a situation, or buy her public transport instead. Blinking lights in traffic serve to warn us about danger. Bicyclists are just normal cyclists; so the other users of traffic get warning fatigue via your method. A reflector (legally required to be on a bicycle on the back) is going to adequately help them. As a runner, I also wear clothes which contain reflections.
      - brokenmachine 8y ago
        I think the general idea that flashing is more noticeable than steady can be taken from the paper. Seems like common sense to me. I'm a cyclist and I'll stick with my flashing lights, thanks. I have steady lights as well so drivers can track my motion. Whatever it takes for those oblivious and distracted SUV idiots to actually notice that I'm there. I've had a few very close calls already, I guess those poor long-suffering drivers must have had warning fatigue. /s I'm a driver as well and I don't find flashing lights on bikes very distracting while driving. What's much worse are the cyclists with no lights, which makes it difficult to judge their position, or even to notice their existence at all.