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The Aladdin fallacy. Everyone who steals is driven to it by desperate circumstances. But if you read the article, dire straits means the liquor aisle or the ele
by ulizzle 3y ago
The Aladdin fallacy. Everyone who steals is driven to it by desperate circumstances. But if you read the article, dire straits means the liquor aisle or the electronics section.
- kennywinker 3y agoDesperate circumstances are exactly what drives people to steal from the liquor aisle. And idk about you, but I can’t think of a better way to shoplift overdue rent than stealing from the electronics section.
- ulizzle 3y agoIt’s alcohol withdrawal, which is a desperate circumstance, but it didn’t arise out of nowhere. And overdue rent is what happens when you make bad decisions like spending your money on drugs and alcohol Have any of you ever even been in dire straits? Because those of us who have are not as tolerant and that’s not meaningless
- Spivak 3y agoPeople who are desperate steal things that are expensive and provide them some reprieve from their situation. You don't see too many heroine users among the upper crust. It's wild how people who people who've never experienced being poor don't get economics of it. You don't steal food, that's stupid because the risk/reward is terrible, when your phone breaks you steal the iPhone because that takes $1000 off your budget. I tried to bake that idea into the phrasing but it clearly didn't land.
- MichaelZuo 3y agoWhy can't those HN users also view iPhones thieves as less honourable/worthy, less deserving of sympathy, etc...?
- sixothree 3y agoDid the article not mention things like laundry detergent as well?
- seandoe 3y agoPeople who steal laundry detergent aren't washing their clothes with it. Come on now. This is organized crime.