3 ms·

This is basically the mirror argument of the "if you like libertarianism so much, why don't you move to Somalia?" argument that didgeoridoo rightly calls out in

by badsock 11y ago

This is basically the mirror argument of the "if you like libertarianism so much, why don't you move to Somalia?" argument that didgeoridoo rightly calls out in this thread. You don't have to be a Marxist to point out that often where there's well-funded, universally accessible mental health and addiction treatment programs crime has dropped significantly, for instance.

oldmanjay 11y ago
I'm not arguing against social programs. I'm noting the fact that the grandest experiment in redistribution to date resulted in massive amounts of human misery.
- pavel_lishin 11y ago
  And being clever science-minded individuals, we can learn from that particular experiment and avoid some of its more egregious mistakes.
  - oldmanjay 11y ago
    Absolutely! And as clever science-minded individuals, it's important that we DO learn from it before praising the all-powerful curative nature of wealth redistribution just because it feels good.
    - badsock 11y ago
      You're both arguing against a straw man (no one in this thread has even hinted that wealth redistribution is an "all-powerful curative"), and belittling people by implying that their reasoning is based on what "feels good" rather than logic and empiricism. It would make HN better if you tried to make more substantive arguments for your position.
      - oldmanjay 11y ago
        What you responded to isn't even an argument, it's an agreement. If you feel belittled then that is on you. I have no particular obligation to ensure that you feel good about your position.
        badsock 11y ago
        If you genuinely believe that you are in agreement, I think you missed pavel_lishin's point. And while it's true you have no obligation towards my feelings, you have obligation to the quality of discussion here on HN. You have to act like those with differing opinions might have arrived at them through a lot of thought and study, not just by being overly-emotional and ignorant of economics.

by badsock 11y ago

oldmanjay 11y ago

I'm not arguing against social programs. I'm noting the fact that the grandest experiment in redistribution to date resulted in massive amounts of human misery.

pavel_lishin 11y ago
And being clever science-minded individuals, we can learn from that particular experiment and avoid some of its more egregious mistakes.
- oldmanjay 11y ago
  Absolutely! And as clever science-minded individuals, it's important that we DO learn from it before praising the all-powerful curative nature of wealth redistribution just because it feels good.
  - badsock 11y ago
    You're both arguing against a straw man (no one in this thread has even hinted that wealth redistribution is an "all-powerful curative"), and belittling people by implying that their reasoning is based on what "feels good" rather than logic and empiricism. It would make HN better if you tried to make more substantive arguments for your position.
    - oldmanjay 11y ago
      What you responded to isn't even an argument, it's an agreement. If you feel belittled then that is on you. I have no particular obligation to ensure that you feel good about your position.
      - badsock 11y ago
        If you genuinely believe that you are in agreement, I think you missed pavel_lishin's point. And while it's true you have no obligation towards my feelings, you have obligation to the quality of discussion here on HN. You have to act like those with differing opinions might have arrived at them through a lot of thought and study, not just by being overly-emotional and ignorant of economics.