Our Freedom of Expression Is Killing Us

[patrice]

163. I operate on the basic assumptions of rational empiricism, which include the fact that

any given statement of relationship, in this case cause and effect, applies in one degree or another to whomever a given subject is and, if we look at large groups of subjects, there will be those few of whom the cause-and-effect is strongly characteristic, there will be those few to whom the cause-and-effect is strongly ir-relevant, and by far most of the subjects will be characterized by degrees between strong and weak for those traits. That is, most people are mixes of the factors that result in the cause-and-effect, with the big majority at least theoretically clustered around 50:50, that is, situation and choice figure more often than not.

So, Manson and Son of Sam, I guess, would fall in the range of strong suggestibility, i.e. a tiny fraction of the over-all population of subjects and, therefore, not a basis for good FUNCTIONAL policy.

What to do about an environment that puts them, and those like them, at risk of horribly victimizing some innocent people? Look at them as something other than just the targets of the cause-and-effect, in this case, unlimited "free expression". Create communities that at least have a chance of recognizing what is going on with such people and responding to them in a way that reduces their dysfunctionality proactively, before problems, as much as possible. Don't cripple everyone's "free" expression, because that would be BAD for everyone else, and almost assuredly NOT work for your psychopaths anyway.