>What's the difference between psychological and physical? Don't you
think
>emotional pain is real? Should all threats be legal if they aren't
literally
>carried out?
I would argue that a threat that causes a person to take an action
should be illegal: "I'm gonna to whup yer butt" would cause me to get some
kind of restraining order against my assailant. "I'm gonna call you names
and tell the world yer ugly" doesn't phase me in the least. I'd say that
inflicting or threatening to inflict psychological pain is simply bad
manners and shouldn't be illegal: inflicting or threatening to inflict
physical pain is why we subscribe to the social contract and so by
definition is illegal.
Note that the basis for libel is a physical one based on ones
position. Thus, we have the Clinton fiasco, while the rest of us are
relatively free to commit adultery ... within the constraints of the sexual
harassment laws. Can you give an example of when causing psychological pain
that is CURRENTLY illegal?
What if the stranger convinced the one you cared about to hurt
themselves
physically? (or in this case, let themselves die?) Is that physical
or
psychological?
How can I care enough to be hurt about someone who allows themselves
to be convinced to be hurt? That seems to be "victim's" thinking ... ala
the various "anonymous" groups. Do you blame the people selling drugs for
the people who take them? Do you blame the liquor manufacturers for the
alcoholics? Of course currently America is blaming the tobacco companies
for nicotine addiction ... but I think thats a scary trend.
I find it hard to believe you think everything is so clearly black
and white
when it clearly is not.
Of course everything is not black and white ... but it seemed to me
that you are advocating legislating things that are not black and white ...
and that is a slippery slope.
What does this have to do with memetic engineering? The world is a
scary enough place with me worrying about getting sued for selling a faulty
appliance at a garage sale ... can you imagine what it would be like if we
had to start worrying about causing psychological pain by offering a
reasonable argument for getting your navel pierced? <or even suicide>