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I would argue a decent metric is human hours. For example, if a safety protocol costs n people x hours in return for saving y lives, then we can strike a balan
by aeternum 6y ago
I would argue a decent metric is human hours. For example, if a safety protocol costs n people x hours in return for saving y lives, then we can strike a balance. In general I'd argue that n * x ~= y * (human life expectancy in hours).
You could apply this to things like airport security and check how the sum of all the time passenger spend in line compares to the lives saved. My guess is especially in the airport example the lines have taken more human life than terrorists.
- ljf 6y agoThat isn't really how terrorism works though is it? 'they' want the population to be fearful doing normal things - it isn't just the life lost but the changes in behaviour people have to make. Similarly if I died of covid now, it isn't just the 40ish years of life ahead I lose, but the impact on my wife, children and wider family. I've seen friends lose 72 yo grandfathers - who could have provided years ahead of fun and good memories with their grandkids.
- aeternum 6y agoMy point is life is still being lost, the life lost is just being amortized over many people so it doesn't feel as bad.