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I didn't do a very good job here, and my last line really should have been omitted. I agree with your original post, and this one too (will upvote both) but I

I didn't do a very good job here, and my last line really should have been omitted. I agree with your original post, and this one too (will upvote both) but I am really wary of the potential for abuse that trying to help people become 'better' people can become. A really ugly actual example from about 1969: "Because homosexuality has been considered an endemic and deep-rooted condition since times of antiquity, hopes for its alleviation, until very recent times, have been faint. But lately, since other resistant mental aberrations have been overcome by new methods, somewhat drastic treatments are being used and advocated for the homosexual in some quarters." And I emphasis, this is just one example, I could produce others in other fields. All I'm saying is be very careful about the meaning of 'better'. Anyway, I do actually agree with you overall.

jammygit 7y ago
Alberta used to perform forced sterilization upon people with physical and mental disabilities. I don’t want the government going near people for their own good https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/alberta-apologizes-for-forced-sterilization-1.169579 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/alberta-apologizes-for-forced...
- tempguy9999 7y ago
  I don't agree. Your absolute statement of denial is to me as dangerous as an absolute endorsement of gov't involvement. Read this <https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/11/nathan-filer-schizophrenia> https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/11/nathan-filer-s... Extract, slightly edited: " A colleague of mine explained his options, such as they were. But that’s the bit that stayed with me. "Do I have to beg you? [he had asked]" It’s why I struggled to keep my hands from shaking as he was eventually held down on his bed and I administered the injection. He didn’t put up a fight. We weren’t preventing and managing violence and aggression. From Amit’s perspective, I don’t doubt we were perpetrating it. In that moment, however good my intentions, I was knowingly participating in his suffering. " Read the story. I feel that it's likely they were doing the right thing, even against the patient's will. If that were me I'd probably agree, though not at the time (thank god that's not my life, I count myself so lucky). But taking your question in a different direction, what would you prefer, that the government does not get involved in such cases? That we leave it to, say, private (profit-driven) companies? Fuck no, never.

jammygit 7y ago

Alberta used to perform forced sterilization upon people with physical and mental disabilities. I don’t want the government going near people for their own good https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/alberta-apologizes-for-forced-sterilization-1.169579 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/alberta-apologizes-for-forced...

tempguy9999 7y ago
I don't agree. Your absolute statement of denial is to me as dangerous as an absolute endorsement of gov't involvement. Read this <https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/11/nathan-filer-schizophrenia> https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/11/nathan-filer-s... Extract, slightly edited: " A colleague of mine explained his options, such as they were. But that’s the bit that stayed with me. "Do I have to beg you? [he had asked]" It’s why I struggled to keep my hands from shaking as he was eventually held down on his bed and I administered the injection. He didn’t put up a fight. We weren’t preventing and managing violence and aggression. From Amit’s perspective, I don’t doubt we were perpetrating it. In that moment, however good my intentions, I was knowingly participating in his suffering. " Read the story. I feel that it's likely they were doing the right thing, even against the patient's will. If that were me I'd probably agree, though not at the time (thank god that's not my life, I count myself so lucky). But taking your question in a different direction, what would you prefer, that the government does not get involved in such cases? That we leave it to, say, private (profit-driven) companies? Fuck no, never.