I swear, stupidity is going to be the death of this human species... in the face of a global pandemic, we have idiots throwing coronavirus parties and licking toilets (apparently more than one) and dry goods. We have idiots swimming in shared pools while awaiting test results, and unlicensed dermatologists telling young people that coronavirus parties are a good idea.
Meanwhile, overburdened hospitals are setting up makeshift morgues in anticipation of the rising death toll. It's like the nation is suffering from a split personality, with half of the population hunkered down while the other half is 'punking' others by putting them in danger. If this nonsense doesn't stop, we're going to have to bring back the stocks and pillory.
You're sort of kidding, but I have often thought some sort of public shaming, legally defined and applied, might be an okay idea.
ReplyDeleteThat would work in a society in which people are capable of feeling shame.
ReplyDeleteWell, if we're talking about late adolescents, a capacity for shame or embarrassment is practically part of the job description. One must be In With the In Crowd. You or I might think that a toilet licker is beyond shame, but I'd bet many intergalactic credits that he did it to cement his cred with some coterie of punks or other. I remember myself too well at that age to credit his type with independent thinking.
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