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That's like saying people get utility from using heroin.
by lonelappde 6y ago
That's like saying people get utility from using heroin.
- Karunamon 6y agoIn the economic sense of the word "utility", yes, they do. "Total satisfaction received from consuming the good or service". People wouldn't do drugs if they didn't get some benefit out of them, whether it be a high or something else.
- James_Henry 6y agoI think lonelappde understands that and is saying that just because something gives you utility and it maximizes some sort of current idea of utility, it doesn't make it good and doesn't necessarily maximize you cumulative lifetime utility. People who do drugs usually admit that they don't get some sort of lifetime benefit out of them. There is often regret. Social media use is often similar (and yes, this is social media and I should know better than to waste my time on HN). Some people get notoriety, money, etc from their use of social media, but most don't and even those that do may regret it or could have been fairly or just as successful without it. (Cal Newport makes some great arguments along these lines.)