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Normally if the policy outcome you wish for is for X to be non-existent, then it would be more precise and explicit to say "we should ban X". The word regulate
by datadata 4y ago
Normally if the policy outcome you wish for is for X to be non-existent, then it would be more precise and explicit to say "we should ban X". The word regulate implies to some degree that we want X to exist, just in a way that is more constrained for better outcomes. Think about the mechanical meaning of the word regulate. To try to ban something under the guise of regulation makes it seem like you are wishing for a bad-faith effort to use regulation to make something fail rather than function.
- woodruffw 4y agoI think I've been very precise. But if it isn't to your liking, here's another formulation: I believe that cryptocurrencies should be banned. But then again, what if what I mean by ban is a "partial ban." Opportunities for misinterpretation abound!
- datadata 4y agoIt is not misinterpretation, and the precision matters. For example, discourse on abortion that is favorable to abortion rights would not talk about the opposition "regulating" abortion, but only in terms of banning it. With crypto, it is clearly not politically favorable to have a complete ban, so to get an effective ban under the guise of regulation is basically hoping for authority to act in bad faith.