4 ms·

> I believe people are not idiots and are capable of judging their own interest... I feel like this is often the crux of the argument against any kind of gover

> I believe people are not idiots and are capable of judging their own interest... I feel like this is often the crux of the argument against any kind of government regulation. "The people are smart enough to not be duped!" And in many cases it's easier to create chaos / scam people than it is to defend yourself against it. Just because some people seem capable of defending themselves / cutting through the fraud doesn't mean everyone who can't are idiots or children. I'll give you an example. There used to be a ton of "Anti-Virus" apps on the iOS App Store. Due to how iOS is built, these apps literally weren't even able to do anything—they were all pure scams. But... people purchased them, not knowing about it. Many of us on HN would recognize immediately that these were scams, because technology like this is in our wheelhouse, so to speak. But it's likely someone in your family (a non-idiot) who's used antivirus software on computers before, and was comfortable with that arrangement, would easily be duped into buying one of these apps. Your analogy would have you advertise or endorse these products, then turn around and mock any "idiot" who purchased them. That's, to me, classic unethical behavior. I can't fathom how this is defensible to anyone with a modicum of empathy.

A4ET8a8uTh0 7y ago
You do have a point, but I think your analogy does not hold. US schools do have educational system focused on presenting how US election system is supposed to work under ideal circumstances. By default, citizen should know wtf they are voting for. It may be a system issue, but that is a separate conversation. Apps, otoh, are relatively new. There is no class out there on avoiding scams ( though there probably should be ). I also disagree with unethical part. He is spending his own money. How is that unethical?
- the_gastropod 7y ago
  > He is spending his own money. How is that unethical? 1. I was referring to your example scenario where you're taking his money and disingenuously working to support his campaign. 2. I'm not sure why you're suggesting "spending your own money" absolves you from unethical behavior. If I bought a bunch of worn-out tires and hired some kids around the neighborhood to start a tire fire in the nearest park, that'd be absolutely unethical (and probably illegal as well), despite the fact that I funded the operation myself.
  - A4ET8a8uTh0 7y ago
    1. My bad. I genuinely misunderstood your stance. Are you suggesting that by taking money from him in a manner that is not sincere is not ethical? Is it unethical, because I am taking money under false pretenses, sway opinion of a few, or some other reason? 2. I never claimed to be absolved. Then again I do not believe I committed a sin either. You may be pushing your analogies too far. Lets stick to the facts available to us.

A4ET8a8uTh0 7y ago

You do have a point, but I think your analogy does not hold. US schools do have educational system focused on presenting how US election system is supposed to work under ideal circumstances. By default, citizen should know wtf they are voting for. It may be a system issue, but that is a separate conversation. Apps, otoh, are relatively new. There is no class out there on avoiding scams ( though there probably should be ). I also disagree with unethical part. He is spending his own money. How is that unethical?

the_gastropod 7y ago
> He is spending his own money. How is that unethical? 1. I was referring to your example scenario where you're taking his money and disingenuously working to support his campaign. 2. I'm not sure why you're suggesting "spending your own money" absolves you from unethical behavior. If I bought a bunch of worn-out tires and hired some kids around the neighborhood to start a tire fire in the nearest park, that'd be absolutely unethical (and probably illegal as well), despite the fact that I funded the operation myself.
- A4ET8a8uTh0 7y ago
  1. My bad. I genuinely misunderstood your stance. Are you suggesting that by taking money from him in a manner that is not sincere is not ethical? Is it unethical, because I am taking money under false pretenses, sway opinion of a few, or some other reason? 2. I never claimed to be absolved. Then again I do not believe I committed a sin either. You may be pushing your analogies too far. Lets stick to the facts available to us.