| Hmm? I think we're just talking past each other. I didn't mean to imply it was about morals -- it seems inherently amoral. His motive is clearly money. He wants to get rich. That's a fine motive and he's not killing anyone or defrauding anybody (yet). Why is it only ok to tap into a market when the legal system says it's ok? He's not even a drug dealer; drug dealers really do ruin lives. Your argument here appears to boil down to "If you think it's sane to climb Mt. Everest, I suggest you rethink your actions. You'll probably die." Except it's more along the lines of climbing a mountain no one has ever climbed before. Yes, you certainly have a point. He'll probably get caught and probably go to prison. But... So? It's his life to risk. In the meantime, you've got to respect the raw determination. We'll see if he delivers. If not, then it's just a bunch of hot air. But he's onto something. The legal system is going to have to adapt to something it has never had to deal with before outside of cartels: the ability to operate a full business completely anonymously. Even if he fails, someone else will come along and do the same thing. You want ten million dollars? Heck yeah you do. Tap into that feeling and amplify it by 100x, and that's the drive that pushes people to do this kind of thing. Really though, as long as he's not hurting anybody I don't understand why we have a right to trash on him. He hasn't stolen anyone's money yet, and he's trying to build something new. I'd like to interview him, to be honest. (I agree you weren't really trashing on him, just pointing out how crazy his plan is. That's true, but he's not a run-of-the-mill lunatic, which is sort of what your comments imply.) |
That's not rational. That is irrational thinking that is likely to result in harm coming to the actor.
That's pretty much the definition of mental illness.
They aren't even alone. They are just one example. Watch the comments about ICOs and cryptocurrency. You'll see comments that are saying the government can't stop them, them the individual.
No, the government can't necessarily stop an idea. They can't even really prevent cryptocurrency. What they can do, and do very efficiently, is stop the individual.
That is irrational thinking. It is how people end up in prison. I'd like it if, you know, HN visitors didn't end up in prison. I'm kind of fond of some of you. Prison is not a nice place, I've worked at one.
When you start mucking about with things with real-world implications, it's no longer a game. It's no longer something you can talk your way out of. It has real-world penalties. There are negative consequences.
The government can, and will, stop those who draw negative attention. They really, really hate it when you negatively impact the economy, as a general rule.
However, you're right. It is their life to risk. That doesn't actually make it sane.
It's not like they are going to go to prison rich. No, the government is going to issue fines to go along with their prison sentences. Do not taunt the men with guns. Taunting men with guns only works in video games and movies.