Let's Talk About Population Control

[JKDS]

popping by to say two things.

First

History tells us that everything we now believe to be true displaced another explanation which was quite similar, but ultimately wrong, but which we believed to be true right up 'till that one raging nerd wouldn't shut up about it. It's only a matter of time until the next raging nerd comes along and shows us how ever so slightly wrong we are, now.

Thats awesome, and I've never heard the history of science explained like that before. Its totes true though.

Before I get to my next point, heres a distraction!



Alright alright. Second point.

I strongly believe, and studies give some support to this, that we are not creatures who are maximizing our utility...but instead minimizing harm. You might say that minimizing harm = maximizing utility, but I disagree. The difference is in the means...because at the end of it all...we're not trying to obtain good things...but avoid bad ones.

[rong]

popping by to say two things.

First



Thats awesome, and I've never heard the history of science explained like that before. Its totes true though.

Before I get to my next point, heres a distraction!



Alright alright. Second point.

I strongly believe, and studies give some support to this, that we are not creatures who are maximizing our utility...but instead minimizing harm. You might say that minimizing harm = maximizing utility, but I disagree. The difference is in the means...because at the end of it all...we're not trying to obtain good things...but avoid bad ones.

This is the only reasonable alternative to utility maximization I've ever heard. It's effectively the same thing, but technically different and equally as plausible.

[a500lbgorilla]

I strongly believe, and studies give some support to this, that we are not creatures who are maximizing our utility...but instead minimizing harm. You might say that minimizing harm = maximizing utility, but I disagree. The difference is in the means...because at the end of it all...we're not trying to obtain good things...but avoid bad ones.

Sure, but still. It's one of those things where you should pay attention to the idea of utility maximizing, pay attention to the idea of harm-reduction, and pay attention to a lot of other plausible ideas. Don't get married to one easy-to-serve idea.