We collectively have far more power than wisdom.
Power ask "can we do this?" Wisdom asks "is this appropriate?"
To look at BST only in terms of "scientific" proof or "economics"
is misleading.
Straight *economic* analysis suggests that we should allow people to
shuck or even euthanise ailing aged parents.
The Nobel prize in Economics was recently awarded to a research who
had earlier shown that slavery was economically efficient.
Few people would suggest that either slavery or abandoning our old
people is *appropriate* even it quite possible and economically
justified.
All those who focus on the lack of scientific "proof" of a problem
should remember one of the fundamental tenets of science --
THE ABSENCE OF PROOF IS NOT THE PROOF OF ABSENCE
I will freely admit that slavery and dumping our elders are in a
different category than BST, but the difference is one of degree, not
nature.
Thus, I contend, the *only* legitimate topic for discussion with BST
and other such thorny issues is "Is this appropriate?"
I have yet to be convinced that squeezing out family farms from
dairying (even if economically and "scientifically" logical) is
substantially diffenent in character than saving on medical and
chronic care bills by putting old people out in a snowbank.
After all, these are modern times. Those folks are inefficient and
just can't compete. They should get out of the way, and if they
don't go willingly, well then that's their own fault, and we should
not even waste a moment feeling guilty about speeding up the
inevitable.
So how about taking some time to THINK, people--ponder, even, and
stop trying to hide yourselves behind some sort of economic or
scientific fig leaf. It's very shallow, and probably rather harmful
to your soul.
It's what you learn after you know it all that really counts.