>> ^ant:

>> ^budzos:
Awww crap I just submitted this with a much funnier headline.

What did it say?


Bear Drives Car Into Woods So He Can Shit in It

>> ^budzos:

Awww crap I just submitted this with a much funnier headline.


What did it say?

>> ^NetRunner:
>> ^Psychologic:
^ And I suppose you also want me to stop removing the bolts from the steering wheel when I park my car? You're no fun. =P

If you're seeking out a parking spots in high crime areas, leaving the keys in the ignition, the doors unlocked (and possibly ajar), and then hiding nearby with a video camera and giggling, YES!


What if I include a note on the seat that says "do not steal car"? =)

My semi-facetious reply.

But to elaborate, I find the nature of the "trap" to be the fun part of the debate here. His setup wasn't unrealistic. Direct-drive bikes are not uncommon, nor is leaving them unattended (at least where I live). I've also seen plenty of bikes with loose bolts, including the one this guy "adjusted" (in fact I once owned a bike where that bolt wouldn't stay tight). The handle grips being slippery is less common, but the effect of that is also minimal.

If he had given someone permission to ride the bike then there would be an expectation that it be relatively safe, but there is no requirement that he keep his own bike in working order as long as he doesn't tell others that it is safe and that they have permission to use it.

If I leave a car in my driveway because I'm trying to repair the brakes, yet I have not finished the job, am I liable for someone stealing it and getting injured? People do steal cars out of driveways after all. Would disconnecting the brakes hoping someone will steal it change the situation?

Exploding pens/computers over-exaggerates the situation because a lack of maintenance doesn't make those objects dangerous (though guard dogs might). The same cannot be said for bicycles, cars, chainsaws, etc. If I steal someone's 4-wheeler and a front wheel flies off at 50Mph then it's my own fault for riding it without any assurances of proper maintenance.

If someone knowingly takes property that is obviously not theirs then they get to deal with the consequences of that property being dangerous, whether it is dangerous by mistake or by design. If that guy was worried about the bike's owner being an asshole or being mechanically incompetent then he wouldn't have taken the bike.




In reply to this comment by NetRunner:
Definitely showcases one of the differences in the way people think.

To me, the film maker's reckless endangerment of others for his own amusement/aggrandizement is morally wrong because intentionally creating a situation that is likely to harm someone is the same thing as directly doing something to harm someone. It's only made worse by the fact that it's being done for entertainment purposes, not out of any attempt to defend themselves or their property. It's about the intent to do harm to another person, just for laughs.

To others, the endangerment is no biggie because a) the guy didn't get seriously hurt (as far as we know), and b) the guy only was endangered because he did something criminal. The harm to the thief doesn't matter, because thieves apparently forfeit their right to life and limb when they steal.

The way I see things, both people here did something wrong, to the point where honest, fair minded libertarians should agree that both the thief and the film maker owe each other restitution. They might not be equal, but that has more to do with how badly the thief was harmed, not whether or not the thief was harmed in the course of stealing.

If you think the film maker is free of all blame, then I should let you know that based on your moral logic, you should defend my right to replace all the pens in your workplace with pens that will explode if removed from company property, without warning anyone.

After all, stealing is wrong, so any extra damage you incur from my additional "security" is your own fault, not mine. Oh, and any proceeds I make from the film of you blowing up when you walk into the parking lot are mine fair and square.

"Kid steals car to avoid church" would be more accurate and probably get more views.

http://www.videosift.com/video/Seven-Year-Old-Steals-Car-Gets-No-Video-Games-For-Weekend