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I don't think this is true. I highly doubt I'm a psychopath, but in my life I've still done things that required the threat of violence to stop me. For example,

I don't think this is true. I highly doubt I'm a psychopath, but in my life I've still done things that required the threat of violence to stop me. For example, a while ago I was ticketed for speeding. I didn't like getting ticketed, so I am now more careful while driving, and while I like to think I was being safe before, I'm honest enough to admit that it's probably better for society that I drive more slowly. And you know what? If the ticket didn't come with some threat of forceful punishment for no payment, I probably wouldn't have paid it, and I wouldn't be afraid of getting another one. I also wouldn't pay taxes voluntarily, at least not nearly as much as I pay now. I do these things because I am scared of the law. I don't think I'm unusual, and I don't think I'm a psychopath. So unless the threat model is only serious crime, I don't think psychopaths are the only issue. I think most people are not good players once a community grows large enough to afford anonymity.

truckerbill 6y ago
What's your motivation for thinking in that way?
pdonis 6y ago
> while I like to think I was being safe before, I'm honest enough to admit that it's probably better for society that I drive more slowly. Why do you think this? Have you ever actually been in an accident caused by the speed at which you were driving? Have you ever had a close call? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, then you shouldn't have needed the ticket to make you drive more carefully; you already had much better feedback. If the answer to both of those question is no, what makes you think the government bureaucrats who drafted the speeding laws are better than you, the person who is actually driving and seeing the road and whatever hazards are there, at judging a safe speed to drive? > I also wouldn't pay taxes voluntarily, at least not nearly as much as I pay now. Would you pay them if you could link them directly to benefits? Goods and services provided to you by the government? For example, suppose you were told that if you didn't pay taxes, you would not be able to call 911 and have the police or an ambulance come if you were in danger or needed medical assistance? Or that the US military would not protect you if a foreign country tried to invade? I think most people's aversion to paying taxes is because they believe most of that money does not actually provide a net benefit, but gets wasted on things that either benefit no one, or cost more than the benefits they deliver. > I think most people are not good players once a community grows large enough to afford anonymity. You have anonymity right here on HN. You seem to be having a reasonable discussion and being a good player.

truckerbill 6y ago

What's your motivation for thinking in that way?

pdonis 6y ago

> while I like to think I was being safe before, I'm honest enough to admit that it's probably better for society that I drive more slowly. Why do you think this? Have you ever actually been in an accident caused by the speed at which you were driving? Have you ever had a close call? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, then you shouldn't have needed the ticket to make you drive more carefully; you already had much better feedback. If the answer to both of those question is no, what makes you think the government bureaucrats who drafted the speeding laws are better than you, the person who is actually driving and seeing the road and whatever hazards are there, at judging a safe speed to drive? > I also wouldn't pay taxes voluntarily, at least not nearly as much as I pay now. Would you pay them if you could link them directly to benefits? Goods and services provided to you by the government? For example, suppose you were told that if you didn't pay taxes, you would not be able to call 911 and have the police or an ambulance come if you were in danger or needed medical assistance? Or that the US military would not protect you if a foreign country tried to invade? I think most people's aversion to paying taxes is because they believe most of that money does not actually provide a net benefit, but gets wasted on things that either benefit no one, or cost more than the benefits they deliver. > I think most people are not good players once a community grows large enough to afford anonymity. You have anonymity right here on HN. You seem to be having a reasonable discussion and being a good player.