The idea that, if you mitigate the consequences of a particular type of accident, then that type of accident will necessarily occur much more frequently, more than negating the initial benefit.
The CF assumes that human nature is perverse and seeks to equalize consequences. Hence, improved automotive technologies such as air bags, ABS, space frames, etc. will be offset (or more than offset) by careless driving, leading to increased highway fatalities.
FALSIFICATION: Empirical evidence shows that, while reducing consequences increases risky behavior, overall safety/health outcomes are better. Insurance companies with a stake in reducing claims verify this.
More generally, the CF confuses all forms of risk-taking, such as faster highway speeds, with fecklessness. Increased speed and convenience (for motorists) has utility; and there is no principle in welfare economics that says risk-taking will increase by an amount sufficient to offset the safety measures.
The CF assumes that human nature is perverse and seeks to equalize consequences. Hence, improved automotive technologies such as air bags, ABS, space frames, etc. will be offset (or more than offset) by careless driving, leading to increased highway fatalities.
FALSIFICATION: Empirical evidence shows that, while reducing consequences increases risky behavior, overall safety/health outcomes are better. Insurance companies with a stake in reducing claims verify this.
More generally, the CF confuses all forms of risk-taking, such as faster highway speeds, with fecklessness. Increased speed and convenience (for motorists) has utility; and there is no principle in welfare economics that says risk-taking will increase by an amount sufficient to offset the safety measures.
The massively overrated book *Freakanomics* (Dubner & Leavitt) includes many examples of the curmudgeon's fallacy.
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Get the pee curtain mug."Curb Your Dog" signs are often found in cities and in suburban areas where people live. These signs are gentle reminders to dog walkers to have their dogs do their natural excretory business ( ie #1/ urine and #2/bowl movements of all textures) at the curb- the physical interface between the sidewalk and street such that remnants of the dog's activities do not impact pedestrians. Although there seems to be some confusion online about the technical and legal meaning of this idea, as with most things, the simple, literal one makes most sense and is most likely to create the most good will. The best way for a dog owner to minimize negative impacts on the general community is to bring their dog to the curb, or better yet the street, so that fewer pedestrians will have to negotiate the urine puddles and and excrement smears. Even dog excrement that has been attempted to be removed by diligent owners (which is appreciated), it is often not completely removed (granted it'd take a scrubbing), and thus contributes to unnecessary yukiness on many sidewalks. Especially since curbing a dog is such a practical way towards minimizing this urban concern, curbing dogs to the curb is a win win approach. Dog lovers and dog owners love good neighbors.
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