[extropy-chat] the RBL racket

[Eliezer S. Yudkowsky]

Russell Wallace wrote:
> 
> You'd put a man in _prison_ for typing words on a computer keyboard?
> 
> That puts you over the line, I'm afraid.
> 
> Sorry, but there are limits. This transgresses them.

Which of the following transgresses your limits?

1)  On your private property, releasing nerve gas to float through the 
air and slaughter your neighbors.

2)  On your private property, blasting out sounds loud enough to 
permanently damage ears and break glass in your neighbors' houses.

3)  On your private property, screaming out advertisements for your used 
cars, at 2AM, using a 110-decibel bullhorn.

4)  On your private property, screaming out your personal political 
opinions, at 10PM, using a 90-decibel bullhorn.

5)  On your private property, shouting "Beware of Peak Oil!" to every 
passersby.

Now, where does spam fall in this ranking?  In my book, it falls 
somewhere around (3).

-- 
Eliezer S. Yudkowsky                          http://singinst.org/
Research Fellow, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence