• ripripripriprip@lemmy.world
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    12 days ago

    I’m all about scientific research, especially when it goes against the grain, but the idea of getting caught being a bigger deterrent than the punishment is just, weird?

    If there is no punishment, why would you be afraid to be caught?

    • BigDanishGuy@sh.itjust.works
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      12 days ago

      If there is no punishment, why would you be afraid to be caught?

      I think the idea is that the thing that stops you in the moment is “I likely won’t get away with it” more than “if they catch me there’ll be hell to pay … but only if”.

      I mean you’re (as in the informal general usage of “you”, not as the second person pronoun) not going to pull out your phone while driving, if you’re next to a cop. But if there’s no one around that even looks like an undercover traffic cop?

      Human brains are bad at thinking in long term consequences, but immediate consequences? Those we understand.

      • ripripripriprip@lemmy.world
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        12 days ago

        I see what you’re saying and understand that criminals have poor judgment, especially long term.

        I still think that there is a natural idea of consequences, even if latent. If no consequences, the only thing about getting caught is having to do whatever thing you’re doing again, ie losing time.