ot: Peter singer: drowning child

[Coronita]

Ok… So regarding the panhandlers. Are all panhandlers druggies and con artists?

If the answer is no, then I’m curious….
If “welfare” is abused by some (which it is), should then we eliminate it completely too?

[CA renter]

[quote=njtosd][quote=CA renter]. . .

It’s not a matter of “right” or “wrong,” it’s just what has come about as a result of thousands of years of evolution (IMHO). . . .[/quote]

Might not even require thousands of years. Very interesting experiment in Russia that resulted in domesticated silver foxes over the course of 40 generations: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2010/09/06/mans-new-best-friend-a-forgotten-russian-experiment-in-fox-domestication/

This was directed evolution (human directed breeding) as opposed to the more random form. But very interesting – especially since the selection was made only for behavior but the result was a group of foxes that had not only behavioral differences, but also differences in appearance and smell.[/quote]

Interesting. I wonder if the more docile and sociable foxes from the original group had very slight, imperceptible differences with respect to these traits.

[CA renter]

[quote=flu]Ok… So regarding the panhandlers. Are all panhandlers druggies and con artists?

If the answer is no, then I’m curious….
If “welfare” is abused by some (which it is), should then we eliminate it completely too?[/quote]

Totally subjective opinion here, but from what I’ve seen, more panhandlers are addicted to drugs and alcohol than welfare recipients. FWIW, I would fully support drug testing for welfare recipients.

[scaredyclassic]

There is a tendency to Want to justify not alleviating actual suffering and death by pointing toward false claiming recipients or by saying well that’s just our nature.

I don’t know.

I saw a panhandler in San Bernardino yesterday I wanted to give money to cause he was jovial looking and had a funny hat. I couldn’t act fast enough in my car and just waved.

I was thinking of wrapping up some care packages with cash a toothbrush some aspirin a note and maybe other stuff to toss out the window at the right moment

[scaredyclassic]

By the way what’s with people slowly crossing major roads in an aambling not looking fashion in San bernardino and stoppjngvteaffic. Happenedctwice. Really weird. Zombies? Drugs? Mental illness? Super bad ass?

Haven’t seen this style in riverside yet…

[Coronita]

I think it’s more ironic that some people show more sympathy when they hear a dog or cat getting run over on the freeway than someone dying in a car accident.

[njtosd]

[quote=CA renter][quote=njtosd][quote=CA renter]. . .

It’s not a matter of “right” or “wrong,” it’s just what has come about as a result of thousands of years of evolution (IMHO). . . .[/quote]

Might not even require thousands of years. Very interesting experiment in Russia that resulted in domesticated silver foxes over the course of 40 generations: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2010/09/06/mans-new-best-friend-a-forgotten-russian-experiment-in-fox-domestication/

This was directed evolution (human directed breeding) as opposed to the more random form. But very interesting – especially since the selection was made only for behavior but the result was a group of foxes that had not only behavioral differences, but also differences in appearance and smell.[/quote]

Interesting. I wonder if the more docile and sociable foxes from the original group had very slight, imperceptible differences with respect to these traits.[/quote]

That’s the assumption. You can see it in golden retrievers (who seem to have been bred almost to a clone army of friendly pets) to pit bulls, who’ve been bred in the other direction. I believe the emotional responsiveness of any creature (including humans) has a large genetic element.

[CA renter]

[quote=njtosd]I believe the emotional responsiveness of any creature (including humans) has a large genetic element.[/quote]

Definitely agree with this.

[moneymaker]

I tend to love (sustitute care about if you like) those that have the capacity to love me back. Is this selfish? Perhaps, but I’m pretty sure my dog loves me, although it might be pretty close contest between loving me and loving a can of cat food. Who am I kidding, the cat food would win every time.
P.S.- I do feel more benevolence toward homeless people that are caring for a pet while being homeless.

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