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My impression as an outsider is that America is the kind of country where a sizeable minority of people believe it is very important they be able to ride a moto

My impression as an outsider is that America is the kind of country where a sizeable minority of people believe it is very important they be able to ride a motorbike without a helmet. Not necessarily because they personally want to ride a motorbike - but as a matter of principle. That government should govern as little as possible, that the fewer laws there are the more freedom people have, and that if you're not harming others the government should get out of your way. They would say if while riding a motorbike without a helmet you should crash and die that's tragic, but the price of freedom is that sometimes people will make bad decisions. I don't agree with this personally - but I can understand why American lawmakers would have a bias towards inaction.

echelon 2y ago
> I don't agree with this personally There are an infinite number of ways to kill yourself, degrade your health, or commit actions that lower your overall physical or financial fitness. We can't put bubble wrap around all of it. We evolved into this harsh physical world. We can be caring and educational and empathetic, but it's our universe to play in for a super short moment so long as we don't fuck it up for other people too.
- michaelt 2y ago
  Yeah my feeling is more that due to practical problems, the idea isn't universally applicable. A motorbiker who dies in a crash isn't around to tell us he's cool with it, and his distraught family often won't be cool with it. So the "yeah the consequences are fine" voice often won't get heard. A motorbiker who gets left in a wheelchair might have a change of heart, and sue someone for compensation. Who wouldn't, if millions of dollars are on offer? Drunk driving endangers other road users and I support it being illegal, but some might say a drunk driver hasn't harmed others until they've actually caused an accident. Once you start adding in statistical harms done to society as a whole, that opens up a big can of worms. I feel that legalising the supply of all addictive drugs probably wouldn't be good public policy. However, I'm in favour of beer, porn, gay rights and music with offensive lyrics under the principle that if you're not harming anyone the government should get off your back.

echelon 2y ago

> I don't agree with this personally There are an infinite number of ways to kill yourself, degrade your health, or commit actions that lower your overall physical or financial fitness. We can't put bubble wrap around all of it. We evolved into this harsh physical world. We can be caring and educational and empathetic, but it's our universe to play in for a super short moment so long as we don't fuck it up for other people too.

michaelt 2y ago
Yeah my feeling is more that due to practical problems, the idea isn't universally applicable. A motorbiker who dies in a crash isn't around to tell us he's cool with it, and his distraught family often won't be cool with it. So the "yeah the consequences are fine" voice often won't get heard. A motorbiker who gets left in a wheelchair might have a change of heart, and sue someone for compensation. Who wouldn't, if millions of dollars are on offer? Drunk driving endangers other road users and I support it being illegal, but some might say a drunk driver hasn't harmed others until they've actually caused an accident. Once you start adding in statistical harms done to society as a whole, that opens up a big can of worms. I feel that legalising the supply of all addictive drugs probably wouldn't be good public policy. However, I'm in favour of beer, porn, gay rights and music with offensive lyrics under the principle that if you're not harming anyone the government should get off your back.