Google Cars Drive Themselves, in Traffic

[Mr. Laser Beam]

NotRoJoHen,

I just think driving is fun, and I would hate to give it up.

Agreed, plus there's no such thing as absolute safety without losing all one's freedom, and this would be such an example.

There may not be an attainable goal of *absolute* safety, but that doesn't mean we should stop trying. Whether you agree with my strictly utilitarian assessment of driving is secondary; in the end, driving is still a privilege, not a right.

Or, to put it another way: What good is freedom if you're dead?

 

[RoJoHen]

Or, to put it another way: What good is freedom if you're dead?

I'd rather die free than live without freedom.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ What about others that could be endangered? Auto accidents don't just kill the driver or passengers. Innocent people could be harmed.

Of course this could also happen with strictly controlled transportation, I'm not denying that. But with universal personal mass transit, this would be greatly reduced, as it would be much easier for civilians to avoid the tracks.

 

[RoJoHen]

I just don't think I should be punished because other people drive like douchebags.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ That's why we're doing this: to stop other people driving like douchebags.

 

[CuttingEdge100]

Mr. Laser Beam,

Whether you agree with my strictly utilitarian assessment of driving is secondary; in the end, driving is still a privilege, not a right.

But if I drive fine, why should my privileges of driving be taken away because some other people are incapable of driving right. This strikes me as legislating to the least competent of us.

What good is freedom if you're dead?

Firstly, you make it seem as if driving is the most dangerous thing in the world -- it isn't. Secondly, what is the point of living if you have no true freedom whatsoever?


NotRoJoHen,

I'd rather die free than live without freedom.

Agreed

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

if I drive fine, why should my privileges of driving be taken away because some other people are incapable of driving right.

People don't always drive fine. Even those of us who do so now, could one day become those who don't.

Driving may not be *the* most dangerous thing in the world, but it is right up there. A car can do more damage than a loaded shotgun.

 

[Rett Mikhal]

Mr. Laser Beam,

Whether you agree with my strictly utilitarian assessment of driving is secondary; in the end, driving is still a privilege, not a right.

But if I drive fine, why should my privileges of driving be taken away because some other people are incapable of driving right. This strikes me as legislating to the least competent of us.

What good is freedom if you're dead?

Firstly, you make it seem as if driving is the most dangerous thing in the world -- it isn't. Secondly, what is the point of living if you have no true freedom whatsoever?

I've had two family members hit by vehicles while they were not in vehicles. One survived. Next time you want to say driving isn't dangerous, think about all the people who have died as a result of it.

 

[CuttingEdge100]

Rett Mikhal,

While I am personally sorry about the loss of one of your family members, I believe it is unreasonable to demand absolute safety. What do you want? To live inside some bubble?

I personally would rather not live in a bubble even if this does pose a risk to my safety.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ We're not talking about living in bubbles. This is about efficiently designed automobiles. Not even close to the same thing.

 

[Rett Mikhal]

Rett Mikhal,

While I am personally sorry about the loss of one of your family members, I believe it is unreasonable to demand absolute safety. What do you want? To live inside some bubble?

I personally would rather not live in a bubble even if this does pose a risk to my safety.

I'm not saying that, I'm just saying you can't say driving is anywhere close to 'safe', even if you, yourself are a cautious driver. The safest a road can be is dictated by the dumbest person on the road, not the smartest.

 

[CuttingEdge100]

Rett Mikhal,

Do you really think we should legislate to the dumbest and least capable?