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.
by Abu Yahya October 16, 2008
Get the curmudgeon's fallacy mug.by Metallica Owns You November 9, 2003
Get the Shadows fall mug.Related Words
He called falashio a "trouser friendly kiss".
by BlueZebra June 5, 2009
Get the Falashio mug.It a nasty school that has leaches in there food . Know for snake at the school . Get in trouble for the petties shit ever .
by May name March 16, 2017
Get the fall creek valley mug.A gang from the Latin Kings. The Falks originated from Forest Avenue in Ridgewood,Queens,New York.
Forest
Avenue
Latin
Kings
Forest
Avenue
Latin
Kings
by GAME50 October 12, 2005
Get the The Falks mug.1. When one spontaneously falls to the ground in an exagerrated, violent and impossibly hilarious way, often appearing to break every bone and dislocating several limbs.
Leland was walking down the side walk when he had a family guy fall, and broke every bone in his body, slipped a disk, and disloacted his arms.
by Nyrthak the Conqueror December 18, 2008
Get the family guy fall mug.Boy 1 - "damn that bitch gives some amazing fallacio"
Boy 2 - "yeah, and so does her mom now i know where she gets it from"
Boy 2 - "yeah, and so does her mom now i know where she gets it from"
by tooSHAY September 11, 2007
Get the fallacio mug.