4 ms·

With all respect, bad idea. The next logical step would be the ability to choose any arbitrary trait to punish for producing an unfair advantage, like being sma

by lutusp 14y ago

With all respect, bad idea. The next logical step would be the ability to choose any arbitrary trait to punish for producing an unfair advantage, like being smart (an overrated trait in many circumstances). Abraham Lincoln was both tall and smart -- such a program would have ruined him. :) Also, ideas like this only add to the power of governments. I think most people will argue there should be a limit to governmental power. People differ on what that limit should be, but I think most would agree that taxing height or some other trait goes too far.

irishcoffee 14y ago
We are in agreement, that was my whole point. =))
gwern 14y ago
> being smart (an overrated trait in many circumstances). I disagree, the advantages of being smart appear in an astounding number of contexts, from making a lot more money than everyone else to living longer to having better teeth etc (and yes, most of the many IQ correlations survive after conditioning on the obvious stuff). The real issue here is that intelligence correlates with income to such a degree that progressive income taxation (very common) may already be playing this role.