Nudge instead of a push?
April 12, 2006 7:41 AM   Subscribe

The avuncular state - "A smarter, softer kind of paternalism is coming into style"
posted by Gyan (9 comments total)
 
Everybody wants to tell you how to live your own life. Sheesh. They should just mind their own business.
posted by caddis at 8:04 AM on April 12, 2006


I love the illustration.
posted by Astro Zombie at 8:14 AM on April 12, 2006


Is it just me, or does "avuncular" sound like it describes a skin condition?
posted by nebulawindphone at 8:31 AM on April 12, 2006


i was thinking 'avuncular was related to the heart, but I am not that smart and was forced to look it up.

it means 'of or pertaining to an uncle'
posted by poppo at 8:34 AM on April 12, 2006


You shoulda seen it. Mom's brother Ralph just swole up like a balloon.

...No, no, the doctor says he's fine. Tells me I've got some nasty avunculitis, though.

posted by nebulawindphone at 8:38 AM on April 12, 2006


Clearly number one needs to set up a voluntary time restriction policy that will prohibit people from reading/posting while at work.
posted by srboisvert at 9:00 AM on April 12, 2006


Avuncular is not that obscure a word.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:23 AM on April 12, 2006


That's a neat idea though. If you have a gambling addiction you can choose to put yourself on this list and be barred for life from gambling venues. It seems to me like a smart way for the state to help those who want to be helped while not taking away the freedom of the others to harm themselves. The only problem I see is that gambling doesn't really only harm yourself. It can harm your spouse/parents/kids, etc.
posted by arcticwoman at 10:31 AM on April 12, 2006


If gambling, or drunkenness, or incontinence, or idleness, or uncleanliness, are as injurious to happiness...should not law...endeavour to repress these also?

I take umbrage at being being lumped in with these degenerates. I may be an incontinent, lazy, drunken slob... but sir, I am no gambler.

Oh, wait, that's not true. Go ahead and repress me, then.
posted by team lowkey at 11:39 AM on April 12, 2006


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