[Dean's World] Dave Price: Thoughts From Scott Adams

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Posted by Dave Price:
Thoughts From Scott Adams
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1143418708.shtml


   If you didn't know, Dilbert cartoonist and writer Scott Adams has a
   [1]blog, which has an interesting viewpoint on things. Today, he
   answered reader's questions about his positions on various issues.
   Here's a few of the responses:

     Q. What is your opinion on the nature, constancy, and relevancy of
     time?
     A. Ask me again yesterday.
     ...
     Q. In terms of the Canada/USA softwood lumber dispute, who=E2s right?
     A. I am opposed to soft wood.
     ...
     Q. Is declawing cats humane?
     A. I wouldn=E2t put a label on it, but I wouldn=E2t do it. I=E2d rather
     lose a couch than hurt my cat. (I=E2ve lost two couches so far. No
     regrets.)
     ...
     Q. Explain your position about torture. That topic about torture
     was disturbing.
     A. I think torture can be effective in a rare situation where, for
     example, you know the terrorist has the relevant information,
     there=E2s a time constraint, and you ask a verifiable question such
     as =E2Where is the nuclear bomb suitcase?=E2 Otherwise,
     plain-old-interrogation seems sufficient to me, and more
     defensible.

   The last one has always been the obvious answer to the "torture
   doesn't work" assertion that gets tossed around pretty freely these
   days, and its an interesting in juxtaposition with the question about
   declawing cats. Irrespective of the morality and how much we might
   wish to avoid inflicting pain, there are situations in which torture
   is efficacious; really, the only question is about when torture is
   justified (if ever). And of course an entire [2]TV series was very
   successfully built around that concept.

References

   1. http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/
   2. http://www.fox.com/24/