This does not matter because in this imaginary scenario,
Timmy most likely knew with a high degree of certainty
how people would react to his "information". It is
irrelevant that many people cannot act rationally. Now,
if Timmy turns out to be mentally unstable or retarded,
we would still incarcerate him, but in a more "caring"
environment ...
Incidentally, just how would you expect people to react
rationally in this hypothetical scenario?
1. Wait and see if someone falls and shows symptoms of
infection first?
2. Wait and see when the lab tests come back and you
can get an appointment with local Anthrax expert?
3. Whip out your Ronco Anthrax detector and say "tough
shit that no one else knew to carry one; they have
no right to react"?
There is principle, and there is practice, and practice
says that people, no matter how rational they believe
they are, will, at some point in time, react irrationally.
It's all a matter of degree. 90% (or your favorite
estimate of "high") of the people out there will likely
panic when someone communicates information to them that
there is a nasty bacterium/chemical that can kill/main
them in short time, however accurate that information
really is.
You can argue about what "high" percentage really is, but
you can't argue that Timmy did not know what the likely
consequences were.
Ern
-----Original Message-----
From: Ryan Sorensen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2001 9:59 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: SSN Publishing Banned by WA Judge
> If Fred has an odd sense of humor, and tells blind people the opposite of
> what the traffic lights say, his actual speech needs to be managed.
>
> If Timmy causes mass death by screaming "Anthrax Attack" in an underground
> walkway during rush hour, resulting in a massive stampeding, crushing, and
> trampling incident, his actual speech needs to be managed.
>
> It is equally absurd to suggest that Timmy can mitigate his responsibility
> by screaming "It's my OPINION that we're having an Anthrax Attack" in lieu
> of actually stating there is one.
Who caused the action?
Information doesn't cause action.
"Timmy" produced information, whether false or true, it really doesn't matter.
That was his only act.
Producing information doesn't hurt a single person, ever.
How people respond to that information does.
Again, do make it quite clear.
Timmy caused no hurt. The people who reacted irrationally and quite idiotically did.
Tell me how this doesn't matter.
