' Wrote:I like the libertine approach in thought, but several thousand years of civilization tend to show that humanity is pretty bad at regulating itself.
With fear of sounding like an awful cynic, I'd say that's debateable.
Look at the richest parts of the world, here we suffer from "lifestyle diseases" - in other words people eating, drinking and smoking themselves to death when they have the means available to do so.
Yes, I'm sure that "technology" (because apparently that's what 3D printers are, right?) is to blame, and not the fact that, oh I don't know, anyone can buy an assault rifle for the price of a TV. It's gotta be technology.
Evil, deranged, and fanatical people are always going to find a way to harm others. Gun control, like so many other issues, are 'issues' because there is no clear answer. Take away the guns and people will simply find some other way to hurt each other.
Forgive me if I say anything ignorant here, but I'd like to point out a couple of things.
1. The machines you're referring to are incredibly expensive, especially ones that can print with anything other than plastic or wax. Making a gun with one is probably more expensive than making one conventionally.
2. If you have sufficient determination, I'm pretty sure you can make a functional firearm with simple tools and materials.
3. These machines are limited by the materials they can print with. So, no printing nukes.
' Wrote:I love watching threads that tightwalk the politics rule.
Thanks, I'm trying my hardest.
' Wrote:Yes, I'm sure that "technology" (because apparently that's what 3D printers are, right?) is to blame, and not the fact that, oh I don't know, anyone can buy an assault rifle for the price of a TV. It's gotta be technology.
While that might be true in some parts of the world, it isn't in many others.
' Wrote:Evil, deranged, and fanatical people are always going to find a way to harm others. Gun control, like so many other issues, are 'issues' because there is no clear answer. Take away the guns and people will simply find some other way to hurt each other.
Aye, but the scale has tipped significantly. Killing is much more efficient now that we have more than sticks and stones to do it with, wouldn't you agree? The "people kill people" argument is very true on one level, and very moot on another.
P.S. I just re-read Ulrich Beck's book so forgive me for polemizing and seeing risks everywhere:)