[rossdavidh]

It seems clear to me that the problem lies, at least in large part, with our business model. If you write a thought-provoking article that people read, reflect on, think back on numerous times during the next few weeks, etc. it does not get you as much money as if you write five clickbait articles a day.

If we were paying people based on the articles they write, that we read, which a week later we were still glad we read, the emphasis would be very different.

[pbasista]

Business model may favor such a behavior but in my opinion its ethics should be considered as well.

For example, many cars generate some air pollution. But there are some, typically more expensive ones, which produce less or no air pollution.

It may be economically beneficial to simply buy the cheapest one. But some people choose the less polluting cars anyway, perhaps also because they incorporate ethics into their decisions.

I believe that it is very beneficial to the society as a whole that there are people who are willing to make ethically correct decisions even if they would not bring them any immediate personal advantage.

The reason is that such a behavior motivates people to look beyond their own interests. It may steer the society towards a better state thanks to appreciating values that have been underestimated before.

[rossdavidh]

Sure, I try to buy organic foods, I try to recycle, etc. But, if the incentives are aligned in the wrong way, then the overall trend of society will head the wrong way.

Which is, sure, not a reason to not try your best within the existing system. But exhortations will only get you so far. We tell people not to steal, but we also have police, burglar alarms, doors that lock, etc. because we know appeals to people's better nature is not enough.

[alisonkisk]

Systems thinking is important here.

The majority of people, the majority of the time, are some combination of lazy, stupid, and greedy.

Isolated efforts to be moral and wise don't move the needle substantially.

[wizzwizz4]

People follow their incentives. Given the choice, they usually want to change those incentives so they're incentivised to be better.