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Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by someguydave on Tuesday April 14, 2020 @09:36AM (#22865737)
> how can you ethically defend everyone not getting a minimum ration

To me, the fairest way to distribute any good is to the highest bidder. If someone is truly desperate for food, they will find a way to get the money to pay for it. I would rather that food be instantly available to that highest bidder with a true need, rather than having to jump through some kind of Soviet bread line to get their “ration”.

Are you saying it is “ethically” better to have an empty shelf with government price controls than a full shelf with prices set by your high-bidding neighbors?

With an empty shelf there is no negotiation possible, simply the will of the government bureaucrat or store manager (with a government gun to his head). They don’t have any personal knowledge of the hungry.

With a full shelf the food is right there, and it’s only money. The hungry can communicate their immediate need for food on the spot by forking over the cash.

So hell yes the capitalist system is the most ethical. Hunger is a private matter that affects individuals - not a faceless mass to be treated as robots with a government program.

Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by Nursie on Tuesday April 14, 2020 @04:39PM (#22871144)
Historically ignorant and hysterically unethical.

This is one of the saddest things I've ever seen on HN.

Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by quotemstr on Tuesday April 14, 2020 @07:04PM (#22872539)
This is why the label "ethical" has become semantically meaningless. People, as you have done here, just define "ethical" as their own point of view and "unethical" as any point of view they reject.
Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by Nursie on Tuesday April 14, 2020 @07:32PM (#22872729)
If that helps you sleep at night.

Try re-reading the post I replied to. If it's not making you feel a bit sick, might want to spend some time on introspection.

Qu'ils mangent de la brioche though I guess.

Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by quotemstr on Wednesday April 15, 2020 @03:21AM (#22875370)
So your argument is that anyone who has a reaction that differs from yours is just a defective human?

Persuasive.

Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by Nursie on Wednesday April 15, 2020 @05:08AM (#22875839)
No, my argument is that statements like this -

"If someone is truly desperate for food, they will find a way to get the money to pay for it."

Are both massively ignorant and quite sickening, and that if you aren't reacting at least a little bit to that sort of statement too, you may have a serious lack of empathy.

Anyway, good luck in life, I have no interest in carrying on a conversation on this matter any further. If you're not seeing it you're not seeing it, I just hope you never get anywhere you can make policy.

Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by quotemstr on Thursday April 16, 2020 @06:23PM (#22894186)
Your comment is pure emotion. There's no argument or information presentation whatsoever.
Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by Gibbon1 on Wednesday April 15, 2020 @05:43AM (#22875989)
A word, you are a good man. The people you are arguing with are broken.
Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by someguydave on Tuesday April 14, 2020 @08:43PM (#22873183)
Can you address my arguments? My post is based on the ethical principles of dignity and self-determination.
Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by Nursie on Wednesday April 15, 2020 @05:06AM (#22875829)
Your post is bullshit.

"If someone is truly desperate for food, they will find a way to get the money to pay for it."

Just wow. Ignorant and awful.

Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by dhhwrongagain on Wednesday April 15, 2020 @05:22AM (#22875893)
Sounds like you’re just having an emotional reaction instead of engaging his point in good faith. If you’re so empathetic, maybe you should remember that the person who made that point is a human being and not a monster.
Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by Nursie on Wednesday April 15, 2020 @05:38AM (#22875965)
There's not really a point there, just ignorance on display. People throughout history have starved in gutters for want of money for food, yet here he is espousing the idea that if you just want it hard enough, you'll find the money to eat, regardless of price gouging, shortage or whatever else. This is just factually wrong.

And if you end up going without, that's your issue. Not only that, but that's the best and fairest system, the way it should be! This is a pure expression of "Fuck everyone else, I got mine"

> maybe you should remember that the person who made that point is a human being and not a monster.

Yes, totally, because saying their posts are ignorant and cruel is totally the same as treating them like something other than human.

Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by someguydave on Wednesday April 15, 2020 @12:12PM (#22879492)
My intent, like the sister post claims, is to help the folks who are in the most dire straits, with the least access to food or money.

If we arrange the rules of human behavior, such that there is an incentive to create a surplus of food and money, then the poor will be much better off.

Those who have tried to simply make a law that says "no one is allowed to die of huger" have created monstrous regimes which led to the starvation of millions.

Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by dhhwrongagain on Wednesday April 15, 2020 @06:01AM (#22876075)
There actually was a point. His point is that, while it might seem counterintuitive, allowing suppliers to price with demand may improve the situation for the majority of people, even if that permits a minority of individuals to fall by the wayside. He’s making a plea to look at this from a systemic angle. You totally missed that because you jumped to demonizing him for even suggesting the idea.

If you’re hearing “fuck everyone else” that’s pure projection. You’re obviously putting words into his mouth. That seems cruel to me and counterproductive.

You should be more empathetic when you discuss with people on the internet, assume good faith.

Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by Nursie on Wednesday April 15, 2020 @06:08AM (#22876111)
I have assumed good faith, I have not once assumed them of being dishonest or disingenuous. I believe that they believe what they are writing. Neither am I demonising someone for suggesting the idea that demand pricing may improve supply. I'm pointing out that their statements are inaccurate and their attitude cruel. If I'm demonising them it's for their attitude to other humans.

> If you’re hearing “fuck everyone else” that’s pure projection.

  "If someone is truly desperate for food, they will find a way to get the money to pay for it."
  "The hungry can communicate their immediate need for food on the spot by forking over the cash."
  "Hunger is a private matter that affects individuals"
You can take it I disagree with your assessment.
Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by dhhwrongagain on Wednesday April 15, 2020 @06:17AM (#22876173)
Good faith is just as much about assuming good intent as it is about assuming genuineness. All of those statements are a far cry from “fuck everyone else.” The underlying intent could just as easily be “this can help more people.” It’s an unfair exaggeration that only serves to justify your indignation.
Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by Nursie on Wednesday April 15, 2020 @06:23AM (#22876198)
The underlying intent may well be that, but it is couched in both ignorance and callous disregard for others.

At this point we're just going round in circles.

Re:Economists who defend disaster profiteers are wrong by dhhwrongagain on Wednesday April 15, 2020 @07:36AM (#22876574)
> The underlying intent may well be that, but it is couched in both ignorance and callous disregard for others.

Nope, that’s just your projection. You’re callously disregarding him.