[extropy-chat] SUV versus sedan versus motorcycle

[BillK]

On Fri, 20 Aug 2004 09:26:12 +1000, Brett Paatsch wrote:
>  
> But still a public road is something that is constructed as part of
> a public policy which requires some sort of legal framework to
> make it work.
> 
> If there has to be some public policy and some minimal set of laws
> or rules to make it work then what could be wrong with considering
> what that public policy (what those laws) should be?
> 

This point raised by Brett seems to be getting at the root of the
discussion.  The SUV supporters seem to be assigning a greater value
to their individual rights than to the good of the public at large
(the commons). This is the traditional contradiction between
individual rights and social responsibility.

One solution might be to move all the SUVs to New Hampshire.  ;)

Here in London, UK, we have the story of the Diana Memorial Fountain
in Hyde Park. It is a large circular granite construction with water
flowing round over little waterfalls and pools. Now what would you
expect to happen when people play around slippery, wet granite, with
water flowing around? Yes, people fall over. And the water gets
polluted by dogs, pigeons, etc.

There was panic among the administrators. Nowadays if anyone falls
over they immediately think about suing someone for millions in
damages.
So now they have set up a control system with rules and regulations to
try and stop idiots from falling over. (And protect the Parks
Department from being sued).

If we can set up regulations to try and protect people from falling
over, surely we are allowed to set laws to stop them killing
themselves and other people?

BillK