(no subject)

[sophiaserpentia]

Guns, like drugs and money, are fleurs du mal of the archons. They yield the opposite of what they promise. But the moment you become aware of this, it reveals a fundamental aspect of human nature we don't much like to talk about -- because this awareness in itself doesn't make you want or need them any less.

Comments

[azaz-al.livejournal.com]

All drugs?

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

Heh, I suppose we could split hairs, but in any case I don't necessarily mean it in the absolutist, all-or-nothing sense. (In fact, I rarely ever mean anything in that sense, though language betrays me in that.) It is not as if guns, drugs, or money, etc., are all bad. In fact they provide benefit and even some utility. It's just a tradeoff.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Quite true.

[ziasummer.livejournal.com]

I agree in many ways. There needs to do an awareness well beyond the average sense of self to owner and to operate a firearm...or take drugs...or even have a car.  the benefits can be healthy and benefit many or costly, unhealthy and deny resources that could be useful otherwise.

[lassiter.livejournal.com]

I think one issue revolves around perceived vs. actual needs. There are situations in which someone might well need guns, drugs, or money (why does this sound like a Warren Zevon song?). But to believe that one "needs" things that are not actually necessary, and may even be harmful in a given context leads to problems. There are situations where guns are simply inappropriate (elementary schools, maybe?) , drugs are counterproductive (piloting a plane, operating a lathe), and a large amount of money will get you mugged. Mere "wanting" (as in, I want a drink, or a toke, or a couple hundred dollars to buy a toy or a hunting rifle) is fine, but if one's sense of well-being is threatened with collapse if one doesn't have the guns, or the drugs, or (excess) money, then we tend to see a lot of acting out and justifications.

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

This isn't really so much a value judgment, as in, I'm not saying these things "are bad." Just that they provide benefits with diminishing returns at a cost that can sometimes be higher than the benefit is worth, in terms of "utility." So when utilized by a person out of balance, their cost can go way up.

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)