The problem with using danger as a form of Natural Selection , is that it fails to differentiate between the idiots and the innocent .At the risk of repeating myself , I think we need a balance .
Need for speed
- Thread starter neptune
- Start date
Innocence is often a large part of idiocy, so what does that do in placing the dividing line to get a balance? The problem is that a case can be made that there are no idiots, just people disadvantaged in life in a way that produces idiocy or anti-social behaviour.
Nature doesn't bother with such niceties, the weak die, and that includes the stupid, the innocent and the young. Indeed at times of hardship such as food shortage or severe conditions, nature preserves those capable of reproducing rather than the very young who die first. Survival of the species is the primary driver, strengthening the species the secondary one.
Our humanitarian approach meets the first condition but not the second, but here we get into the contentious subject of eugenics.
Nature doesn't bother with such niceties, the weak die, and that includes the stupid, the innocent and the young. Indeed at times of hardship such as food shortage or severe conditions, nature preserves those capable of reproducing rather than the very young who die first. Survival of the species is the primary driver, strengthening the species the secondary one.
Our humanitarian approach meets the first condition but not the second, but here we get into the contentious subject of eugenics.
Flecc , as you say , Nature does not bother with such niceties ,the weak die and that includes the stupid , the innocent and the young .You forgot to mention the old . In uncivilised countries , a person of 40 is considered to be very old. So you and I have been on borrowed time for years . Surely the aim of civilisation is to mitigate at least some of the effects of nature in the raw . For those who want to live in a place where nature is king in all its unbridled glory , there is plenty of choice . Given a free choice I would rather stay here , maybe it is not so bad after all . But unless we sometimes question the status quo , there is never any progress .
And I would fight for your right (and mine) to avoid any unnecessary* mandatory surveillance. A tachograph only records speed and braking over time. Not location data. And I would only be happy with one in my vehicle if I could take it out at any time (and it saved me a massive amount on my insurance). I would not want to see this as mandatory on all vehicles nor would I want to see the GPS tracking that was being talked about in the EU.WOW...Neptune, your posts have certainly made me think a bit.......
Tachograph in my car or motorhome.........
Micro chipped kids......
I can so see your points.......but.....I am trying hard to be honest here......no,I suppose, not in MY vehicles.....but its a good idea , it would cut insurance premiums......
Poor madeleine and all the other lost children, yes, at first thought, it could have saved them.....or would those terrible people just have removed the microchips ?
Easily done.....and can you imagine if we were all microchipped and could be tracked by the government....bad enough that they can virtually do it now courtesy of our mobile phones.
As I am getting older my anti establishment feelings are getting stronger by the day, I guess I just dont like being told what to do (my ex would probably confirm that LOL )......the idea of the government taking even more control over our lives is just horrific.
My life belongs to me......not some government official, and as long as I dont hurt anyone, I should be allowed to live it as I wish.
Sometimes I just dream of living on a deserted island somewhere (with internet of course ! )
I suppose we do need some laws for the common good......but I will admit to breaking them at times....and if the laws start to get even more punitive.....I WILL stand up and fight my corner, if I believe in something, and personal freedom is so important, then I would take it further, I just hope it never comes to that......and as for speed restrictions....well.....of course they dont apply to me, not only am I a woman, but Im an excellent driver
Bring it on........
Lynda
'The price of freedom is eternal vigilance'.
Being under mandated surveillance is not freedom unless you believe the line from 1984 'Freedom is Slavery'...
*What is unnecessary? I would say these days, a hell of a lot of it. It seem there is always more security in the name of protecting the children or to prevent terrorism being trotted out. And to decry anything to these ends is treated as support for the very things they seek to prevent. Just this last week the TSA in America were trying to quash reports that their body scanners can be very easily defeated.
Thankfully the technology to chip everybody so they can be tracked at will, doesn't exist yet (unless you are talking about mobiles, but they can be turned off and the battery can run out and they aren't mandatory). The problem with any technological solution is that it can be made to work outside of its intended specification. Take the new passports. It is possible to copy the data from over 100 meters away. If the border guards ever relied entirely on this data (without looking at the passport) it would be easy to spoof. If we all were chipped it wouldn't be long before some bored teenager or bearded researcher figured out how to decrypt the communication between chip and base station and ultimately intercept and/or reprogram it. This is all fun and games until those with blind faith in the technology decide that the chip data is enough to convict someone (i.e. in the wrong place at the wrong time) whose to say that data is reliable?
ultimately all technology is capable of being defeated , given the will , time , money and expertise . As I no longer drive , it makes little difference to me what the regulations involving cars are . I have said pretty much all I have to say on these subjects . IMO with a constantly rising population , more regulation is inevitable . If the system is without faults , then you have nothing to fear if you are doing no wrong , and yes , I know that is a big if . I reckon I have achieved my original intention of making people think , and stimulating a lively debate . Thanks for all opinions , and long may we enjoy relatively unregulated e-biking .
I can't let a thread end with the 'nothing to hide, nothing to fear' argument!
The assumption that if you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to fear is simply not true, you need only look at the results of the extradition treaty with the US.
I think that if you read my last post you will see that I qualified that with "if the system is without faults " and went on to say that this was an unlikely eventuality . The extradition treaty with the USA is obscene beyond belief . But that is another story , and perhaps a reason for a new thread . But not one that I am about to start , because it is someone else`s turn to get all the flack, !
Indeed you did. I too doubt we will ever see a perfect system that relies on people or technology or both (and that doesn't leave a lot of options short of having an Psychic Octopus sit as judge and jury
), but we can dream... (and hopefully not of having a Psychic Octopus running our judicial system) and I hope you didn't feel too put upon as a result of this thread. It's been very interesting.
It has indeed, one if the "extras" that make this forum so satisfying.
I don't dream of a perfect system. I recognise that government doesn't work, never has and never will, so the answer is to apply it minimally.
No I do not feel too put upon . People who invite controversy should expect to get it . And then some . It can get kind of lonely sometimes being a minority of one , but this is to be expected , and I am sure I enjoyed it just as much as everyone else . There may well be people who feel that controversial subjects such as this have no place on an Ebike forum.However if I overstep the mark , then I am sure the moderator will tell me to cease and desist . To sum up , it made us think , kept us entertained , and resulted in a lively debate .
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