[dredmorbius]

I'd met an old friend who runs a high street business, walking into their shop and chatting briefly before a random walked in off the street and said random stuff, then walked out.

My friend shrugged, turned to me, and said, "Welcome to retail".

I've related that to a few people over the years. It's a useful lesson to keep in mind. Much better to recognise this for what it is than attempt to fix, fight, or rationalise it.

[gglitch]

> Much better to recognise this for what it is than attempt to fix, fight, or rationalise it.

This is a morally and emotionally sophisticated position, and though I agree with it, it's a bitter pill.

[pixl97]

With an ever increasing amount of cameras and AI, I would expect that fighting it will start to look like facial identification blocking people from entering businesses for their past transgressions, online or off.

[dredmorbius]

What I'd meant was attempting intervention in the one-on-one case. It's simply not productive, you're better off generally either letting the wave roll over you, or making a quiet exit.

The mass-surveillance / access denial approach is a different tactic. One that has some advantages, but also very clear disadvantages and inequities.