the real thing that is wrong with human nature is the tendency of some humans to do self destructive things to themselves like injesting poison into their bodies. exactly like drug abusers do. that includes smokers and drinkers.
Yes! I think this is what I try to tell Rearden, but I did not write it clear. "Notably these views are sometimes combined in systems." This is from your link Nitro.
Right. Adaptation is just as important in philosophy as it is in trading. Systems that clearly don't model reality tend to fail. The current situation is particularly dire. It seems that Capitalism is the best system when most of a people's nation are more or less of the same social standing. I am not sure... When the disparity between the poor and rich begins to grow, it is a catastrophic system in waiting. On the other hand, the key imo is not to snap the rubber-band too hard in the other direction, let we fall into fascism (as we learned by punishing Germany too harshly after WWI) or communism (as we saw in Russia after the same WW), but some sort of system that still allows for Bill Gates and other individuals that change the world while allowing for all to rise more than less. Even Social Democracies, while probably the best middle of the road system and the most humane of the "free" systems, is probably impotent. At least in modern times, it seems that real progress comes from the entrepreneurs and capitalists. The Renaissance occured without Capitalists (although Niall Ferguson argues that money was key to the Renaissance). Can something like that happen in modern times? If not, what exactly is it about our society that prevents it so? I am beginning to believe the Earth is too small a place for us all. The logical conclusion of the way humanity is heading is almost certainly mutual devastation.
You're right, and there's a solution. All we really have to do is empower heavily armed government goon squads to haul off all the smokers and drinkers to 'corrections' facilities for a few years so that they may mend their errant ways. The homes and vehicles of those who poison their own bodies should be confiscated- For their own good, of course.
the weak willed people who need mind altering drugs to cope with life have a problem with their human nature.
I think you are too harsh. It is very possible that a person has a chemical imbalance in that they need external help to maintain a centered state. For example, we have no problem recognizing that diabetics need insulin help, or that albinos can be missing the key skin receptors for making pigment. Why can't the same happen in the brain in the form of endorphins, or gawd only knows what else?
Nah, enough of that Liberal Kumbaya bullshit! All the weak-willed people need to be rounded up and put in camps, so that vhehn and all the other flawless upstanding citizens can finally live in the utopia of their own making.
i would support prohibition. the misery and destruction that booze has caused over time is impossible to calculate. smoking is mostly just self destructive to the individual. but of course i dont want to pay taxes to support your liver or lung transplant.
Of course you would! If history has taught us anything, it's that slapping prohibition laws on alcohol can completely eliminate problem drinking from society.