Amount Quote by Eliezer Yudkowsky
“Maybe you just can't protect people from certain specialized types of folly with any sane amount of regulation, and the correct response is to give up on the high social costs of inadequately protecting people from themselves under certain circumstances.”
About This Quote
Some forms of folly cannot be curbed by regulation; the best response may be to accept high social costs and let people self‑regulate.
In simple terms: Not all problems are solvable by law.
Key Takeaway
Accept limits of regulation.
Themes
ethics
regulation
human behavior
policy
Mood
philosophical
practical
Type
ethical
policy
When to use this quote
- drug policy
- financial scams
- online misinformation
- environmental hazards
Key Concepts
risk assessment
behavioral economics
public safety
legal theory
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it wiser to tolerate risk?
- What alternatives exist to regulation?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on regulation may create false security.
