Capitalism and Common Sense
Many of the posters here are quick at crying for mob law for the black looters stealing non-essential items for life-support like PCs, TVs, etc. But from a economic standpoint it's only rational. Things like diapers and bread may be seem more directly useful than a TV, but a TV has a much higher value-density than bread or diapers. It's very short-sighted only to steal/loot/find things that are directly usable, and don't have to be refined like a TV for instance, since their value won't last long.
The only value that matters in the USA is money, so you can't complain if your capitalistic apprentices start to act economically sensible.
Jah Bootie
03-09-2005, 01:10
Stop being obtuse. What is a person in a flooded out city going to do with a TV?
Robbopolis
03-09-2005, 01:13
Stop being obtuse. What is a person in a flooded out city going to do with a TV?
I think that he's trying to say that they are just taking advantage of the opportunity to store it for sale later.
I think that he's trying to say that they are just taking advantage of the opportunity to store it for sale later.
Yes, they are stealing and breaking the law. They should focus on survival rather than let greed drive their actions.
Oh, and those same people are murdering, raping, taking hostages, bombing, and setting fire to the city. The people stealing valuable goods are mostly criminals taking advantage of the situation to profit off of others' suffering. Their behavior is neither acceptable nor justifiable.
Robbopolis
03-09-2005, 01:20
Yes, they are stealing and breaking the law. They should focus on survival rather than let greed drive their actions.
Oh, and those same people are murdering, raping, taking hostages, bombing, and setting fire to the city. The people stealing valuable goods are mostly criminals taking advantage of the situation to profit off of others' suffering. Their behavior is neither acceptable nor justifiable.
True. I'm not arguing with that. But as a rather maverick economist likes to say, morality is how we would like the world to work, while economics is how it actually does work.
They should focus on survival rather than let greed drive their actions.
There is a life after the flood, and the need for survival extends to that. So if you now have the opportunity to increase your standard of living in the mid-term future, you must use it.
True. I'm not arguing with that. But as a rather maverick economist likes to say, morality is how we would like the world to work, while economics is how it actually does work.
True, very true. However, the economics of the situation seem to make stopping these crimes far more economically beneficial to a greater number than allowing anarchy. The rationale is, at the very least, utilitarian. Of course, I believe in maintaining order at all cost, but that's another topic in itself.
Jah Bootie
03-09-2005, 01:24
I think that he's trying to say that they are just taking advantage of the opportunity to store it for sale later.
Store it where? In the house that you won't see for half a year, if then?
I have to say, if I were in there situation, having lost what little ability I had to provide myself with food and shelter, I would be hitting up the jewelry stores. Higher value and more fungible. You're gonna need that when you get to Houston or Dallas or wherever you end up penniless with the wet filthy clothes on your back.
There is a life after the flood, and the need for survival extends to that. So if you now have the opportunity to increase your standard of living in the mid-term future, you must use it.
So, if I can increase my standard of living by murdering an entire family and stealing their goods, it's perfectly acceptable because it will increase my standard of living?
Robbopolis
03-09-2005, 01:28
True, very true. However, the economics of the situation seem to make stopping these crimes far more economically beneficial to a greater number than allowing anarchy. The rationale is, at the very least, utilitarian. Of course, I believe in maintaining order at all cost, but that's another topic in itself.
No argument. At the present time, the issue seems to be ability rather than willingness. Can't get manpower into the affected areas fast enough, etc.
So, if I can increase my standard of living by murdering an entire family and stealing their goods, it's perfectly acceptable because it will increase my standard of living?
Who said anything about murdering? You don't normally have to kill someone when looting a store. Also you wouldn't want to do this, since the risk of getting caught and the consequences are much more serious than those of a simple burglary.
Who said anything about murdering? You don't normally have to kill someone when looting a store. Also you wouldn't want to do this, since the risk of getting caught and the consequences are much more serious than those of a simple burglary.
It's already happening. Criminals are murdering people and taking hostages for material gain down there.