4 ms·

> the question reduces to something like "is society entitled to the brain cycles of particularly smart people?". No, it doesn't. A conclusion that something i

> the question reduces to something like "is society entitled to the brain cycles of particularly smart people?". No, it doesn't. A conclusion that something is a drag on society is not necessarily (and frequently not) an argument for banning it. The implication only exists in a pure form if one assumes a "government knows best" sort of politics. Label it what you like, I'm not going to pick fights. I am a bit worried about this line of reasoning, though -- basically saying it isn't a line of thought that can lead to good policy, so it probably shouldn't be investigated or argued.

leetcrew 6y ago
I don't believe anyone is seriously talking about banning factorio, but I do have a hard time trusting that an affirmative answer to these questions isn't accompanied by some level of value judgement. how could I not? we are literally contemplating all the great things that could have been accomplished if nerds didn't spend so much time playing certain video games. you never hear about all the furniture that could have been moved for the elderly if people didn't spend so much time at that damned gym. frankly, I think we should not care so much about what people do with their leisure time, as long it isn't actively harming anyone (ie, not in a "what could have been" sense). if we want smart people to do more useful stuff, we should figure out how to pay them for it.
- repsilat 6y ago
  > I do have a hard time trusting that an affirmative answer to these questions isn't accompanied by some level of value judgement Sure, I'll grant "value judgement", and I don't have much of a problem with it. I think people saying X is a waste of time are often right and often misguided, and it's a useful kind of conversation in general. The comment I replied to said this was about whether people are entitled to waste time, though, which is a stronger argument that I object to.

leetcrew 6y ago

I don't believe anyone is seriously talking about banning factorio, but I do have a hard time trusting that an affirmative answer to these questions isn't accompanied by some level of value judgement. how could I not? we are literally contemplating all the great things that could have been accomplished if nerds didn't spend so much time playing certain video games. you never hear about all the furniture that could have been moved for the elderly if people didn't spend so much time at that damned gym. frankly, I think we should not care so much about what people do with their leisure time, as long it isn't actively harming anyone (ie, not in a "what could have been" sense). if we want smart people to do more useful stuff, we should figure out how to pay them for it.

repsilat 6y ago
> I do have a hard time trusting that an affirmative answer to these questions isn't accompanied by some level of value judgement Sure, I'll grant "value judgement", and I don't have much of a problem with it. I think people saying X is a waste of time are often right and often misguided, and it's a useful kind of conversation in general. The comment I replied to said this was about whether people are entitled to waste time, though, which is a stronger argument that I object to.