For something to be punishable by law it must be measurable. For example, it's just as dangerous to drive whilst very tired as it is to drive while drunk but because you can't measure 'tired' but you can measure % blood alcohol one is illegal & the other isn't (granted, if you have an accident and they discover you hadn't slept for 2 days they'd nail you for wreckless endangerment, but even then they'd do it by measuring how much sleep you'd had in hours).
Is this one of the problems in society, that if something is immeasurable it can't be illegal? For example, it's next to impossible to punish someone for being antisocial even in the most extreme cases, as demonstrated by the 'neighbours from hell' scenario. If we could what immeasurable behavious should be made illegal?
Originally posted by belgianfreakI think it should be illgal for anyone who is stupid to become President of the United States.
For something to be punishable by law it must be measurable. For example, it's just as dangerous to drive whilst very tired as it is to drive while drunk but because you can't measure 'tired' but you can measure % blood alcohol one ...[text shortened]... o. If we could what immeasurable behavious should be made illegal?
Note : Although you can argue that stupidity could be measured using IQ levels, there are many examples of 'clever' people who are stupid!
Originally posted by belgianfreakYour example is flawed. Drunk drivers were being punished long before the breathalyzer test was developed. They had other tests, like making you walk a straight line, or standing on one foot and touching your nose, or whatever. They deduced that you were drunk without measuring exactly how drunk you were.
For something to be punishable by law it must be measurable. For example, it's just as dangerous to drive whilst very tired as it is to drive while drunk but because you can't measure 'tired' but you can measure % blood alcohol one is illegal & the other isn't (granted, if you have an accident and they discover you hadn't slept for 2 days they'd ...[text shortened]... neighbours from hell' scenario. If we could what immeasurable behavious should be made illegal?
A similar test for sleep deprivation might not be as effective, because getting pulled over by the cops tends to wake you up pretty well.
Originally posted by rwingettOK, bad example. When they see if you can walk a line they are measuring your abilitry to do so even though it may be a crude method. A similar idea could be used to measure tiredness (although it's a lot easier to be awake for 5 minutes than sober suddenly).
Your example is flawed. Drunk drivers were being punished long before the breathalyzer test was developed. They had other tests, like making you walk a straight line, or standing on one foot and touching your nose, or whatever. They deduced that you were drunk without measuring exactly how drunk you were.
A similar test for sleep deprivation might not be as effective, because getting pulled over by the cops tends to wake you up pretty well.
But the initial idea is still valid I thnk.
The first and biggest is "culpability of non-action by nations during obvious episodes of genecide". It can't be "measured" by definition because the killers will kill you or bar you from the scene of the crime.
The putative leaders of the world who wring their hands and stand transfixed and paralyzed should be held accountable for "crimes against humanity."
To allow the obvious when means exist to prevent the obvious is our worst crime. Because we are conflicted. The notion falsely exists that the rights of "government" are somehow more important than the rights of simple... single, individual human beings.
Sick world we live in.
Originally posted by StarValleyWylike the blind eye we all turn to China's autrosities in Tibet and the lackluster attempts to haltthe war in the Congo. Yep, it's pretty lame. Any others?
The first and biggest is "culpability of non-action by nations during obvious episodes of genecide". It can't be "measured" by definition because the killers will kill you or bar you from the scene of the crime.
The putative leaders of the world who wring their hands and stand transfixed and paralyzed should be held accountable for "crimes agai ...[text shortened]... mportant than the rights of simple... single, individual human beings.
Sick world we live in.
Originally posted by belgianfreakSo when did being anti-social become a crime? The neighbours from hell are usually doing unpleasant things - like abusive behaviour, threatening, and trespasssing which can be prosecuted.
Is this one of the problems in society, that if something is immeasurable it can't be illegal? For example, it's next to impossible to punish someone for being antisocial even in the most extreme cases, as demonstrated by the 'neighbours from hell' scenario. If we could what immeasurable behavious should be made illegal?
Originally posted by steerpikeby antisocial I mean exactly ehat you say, actions like abusive or hreatening behaviour. Trespass can me measaured, you were either on someone elses property or you weren't. But how do you prosecute 'abusive behaviour' unless it can be quantified?
So when did being anti-social become a crime? The neighbours from hell are usually doing unpleasant things - like abusive behaviour, threatening, and trespasssing which can be prosecuted.
Originally posted by belgianfreakNot sure how it works but you obtain a non-molestation order - any contact made is considered a breach of the order.
by antisocial I mean exactly ehat you say, actions like abusive or hreatening behaviour. Trespass can me measaured, you were either on someone elses property or you weren't. But how do you prosecute 'abusive behaviour' unless it can be quantified?
Once you have the order, any speech, gesture or phonecall is a breach. Easily proved in these days of digital cameras that record sound and image.