Re: Sunday Morning Meditation

[calin]

How can one teach somebody to do something responsibly?

Wrongdoers (and people in general if there are no taboos or inhibitions) tend to get the max out of their acquired skills. You could maybe implant some inhibitor mantra into their psyche: I send SPAM, the police knocks on my door. Repeat after me! :). I don't believe you can make responsible by teaching a grown up that is not responsible in the first place.

Some other related thoughts: Persuasion doesn't work (TM). Manipulation is 1000 times more effective. Lie, lie, mislead, pull the strings! Maybe this is all about responsible teaching.

Ah, maybe your meditation involves the m-word. IMHO, that concept should be avoided altogether when dealing with the unwashed crowds of the Innurnet, esp. spammers. You're only wasting neurons.

Another (unrelated to the topic) variation of the quote that I found on the 'net: Give a man a fish, he owes you a fish. Teach a man to fish, you give up your monopoly on fisheries!

[liz]

How can one teach somebody to do something responsibly?

By telling them what you think are reasons for doing or not doing something. And why you yourself will or won't do that thing. And hoping that when the time comes and they have to make a decision, they will make what you think is the right one.

How have you been taught responsibility? ;-)

Liz

[calin]

I don't know how children acquire responsibility. My knowledge of psychology is at layman's level. I guess something happens during adolescence. AFAIK, this is the period when moral traits develop. I don't want to elaborate because, given my ignorance in the field, I'm afraid of saying something stupid ;)

On the other hand, from my experience I can say that trying to "teach" morals to an inveterate immoral adult is hopeless. At most you can make them behave by instilling fear. Re-read my original post, keywords: grown ups, persuasion.