[digitaltrees]

I am pushing back against the slippery slope that all regulation is bad, or rather, that AirBnB should be allowed to ignore regulation. I am trying to demonstrate, that in principal, at least one regulation would be obviously appropriate. If we agree on that, then we can get into the process of evaluating which regulations are efficient, acceptable and balance the competing interests of maximizing utility, and promoting social good.

[eloff]

I think few would take the position that all regulations are bad, or that Silicon Valley companies should be able to ignore regulations. However, regulations need to change with the times and the technology, and this is one case where they haven't caught up. The regulations are serving to protect special interests, defeating the natural efficiency of the free market. They also serve some use, in terms of safety standards, mandating accessibility for people with disabilities, etc. Clearly they need to be revised and improved, but I don't have a lot of confidence in the political environment in the US that they will bring sanity to the situation anytime soon.