From: J. R. (jr@shasta.com)
Date: Sun Nov 29 1998 - 22:55:56 MST
From: Michael Somers <msomers@start.com.au>
<< - this is an *Extropian* mailing list - one that seeks spontaneous
ordered solutions over centralized governmental ones.>>
Doesn't extropy also seek spontaneous ordered solutions over fascistic and
child abusive parental ones? Can't extropians support a spontaneous ordered
solution to violent crime which involves curtailing the abusiveness of
parents who spawn violent criminals? Even though somewhat complex, a policy
to end violent crime (which would thereby preclude the need for the death
penalty) via ending the cause of violent crime, namely unfit parents, seems
notably extropian to me.
>
>den Otter wrote:
>
> How to deal with it?
>
> a) Compulsory psychological screening and parenting tests for everyone
who wants children (let them care for a very annoying "automatic" baby that
has, em, full bodily functions etc. for about a month. That should put off
most unprepared parents).
>
> b) No children if you can't support them financially (abuse is especially
rampant in poor families. Everyone's frustrated (nothing gets people more on
edge than financial problems, as I know from personal experience), the
parents are often drunks, the father beats the kids and his wife because
he's a dumb, frustrated asshole etc. You know the picture...)
> Ironically, those that can least afford it often have the most children.
>
> c) A special police service for abuse victims: if you're being abused at
home (or any other place for that matter), the police will install a
domestic surveillance system without the abuser's knowledge and monitor the
situation. Evidence gathered in this way will be used in court.
Incidentally, the monitoring service can also be installed if others (such
as doctors, friends of the alleged victim, school officials) point out a
household as potentially abusive).
>
> d) Tough punishments for abusers (jail time and corporal punishment).
After jail (or in the case of minor abuse after a stern warning/fine)
permanent installment of cameras in the offender's house, as a preventive
measure and to serve as evidence should abuse reoccur. The victim gets a
personal alarm, which summons the police (after checking via integral phone
and the cam system). In a libertarian scenario, this would be a PPA (but,
how does a kid pay a PPA?
> Uh-huh!)
>
> e) In more severe cases the victim would be placed in a special caring
center (with varying degrees of independence according to age, but generally
speaking a lot of freedom, according to the golden rule). Separate living
quarters for everyone, of course full surveillance (appartment surveillance
is optional, not compulsory) to prevent any abuse or other irregularities by
staff (strict selection, few or no men) or other occupants. The general feel
should be that of a vacation resort or a hotel, *not* a (pedophile &
fascist-ridden ) prison. Education is, of course, "transhuman style", with a
lot of emphasis on rational thinking, personal empowerment etc. Multiple
generations of rational, law-abiding and progressive individuals would
likely be the pleasant (side-) effect of the anti-abuse program.
>
> f) Of course, the abusers (should they ever get out of jail) would be
slapped with a perpetual restraining order, to be enforced by an electronic
ankle bracelet (or something more sophisticated). The former victim gets a
receiver that goes off whenever the abuser gets within the "forbidden" (1
mile for ex.) radius. Of course the police also get a beep. Should the
abuser somehow manage to do harm to the victim anyway (or abuse someone
else), he goes to jail (labor camp) for life (or at least a *long* time).
Should he kill his victim, he is to be executed in a most unpleasant way.
>
> g) It goes without saying that known abusers are *never ever* allowed to
have kids (again).
>
>My final response:
>
>I guess you won't be having children then den! What a relief! I'd call
what I just read above to be abuse of the highest order. Bring on the rack
and whips!
"abuse of the highest order"? How do any of den's ideas about dealing with
child abuse constitute abuse?
>
>P.S. Don't bother whining, this will be the last response I'll grant you
the benifit of receiving.
>
Well, okay by me... I don't speak for den, obviously. But I regret to report
that your response seems less extropian than den's. --J. R.
P.S. I'd like to thank all who contribute to making this list possible. This
meme pool blazes like a laser beam straight to the heart of things.
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