Humans Need Proportionate Consequences

I really don’t understand what’s wrong with people these days. Lately I’m reading so many articles of people just treating animals really badly.

There was this tourist who threw a rock at a protected monk seal. And then there was another family, where the parents allowed children to throw rocks at seals on the beach. And there was another one about a man trying to push a monkey off a railing where it was just sitting down without disturbing any tourists. And he is seen in the video just laughing.

I mean, what is wrong with people nowadays?

I think it’s the non-consequence of their actions. Or consequences so minimal or dismal or inconsequential that the punishment doesn’t even matter.

The guy throwing a rock at the endangered sea lion could be heard on camera saying “I have money to pay the fine”. But having money does not give you free reign to cause suffering. I mean, what is wrong with your brain? Or heart? Is there some component or element missing that makes you act like a moron? Was there a thought process before you picked up the rock or did your limbs act of their own accord? Can we subject you to a test and give you the necessary medication so you have more feelings? Or should we just throw a rock at you? The latter would be easier and cheaper, and you’d probably remember it the next time you tried to throw a rock at something.

Last I read, this guy was arrested by federal agents and ordered to appear in court. The case is still ongoing.

Consequences should impact the perpetrators to the extent that it makes a difference in their behaviour. Sometimes this is something they realize and want to change in themselves. Sometimes this stems from fear. And fear works better in certain instances, because the consequence or punishment becomes an example to others as well.

Then there was that guy who was trampled by an elephant while hunting. Apparently he paid 40,000 USD to hunt a rare type of antelope. And for what? Food? Nope. To have a token hanging on his wall. When investigators went to his home, they found countless other animal heads on his wall.

So does money allow you to make something extinct?

His punishment was very well deserved — meted out by an elephant no less because humans didn’t have the balls to protect those without voices. Shame on us.

As for the guy who pushed a monkey off the railing, his punishment was to be banned from that particular location / tourist attraction for 3 years. What kind of stupid punishment is that? Why would he want to come back to that place now that he’s been there and almost caused harm?

Consequences need to reflect the severity of the situation and force someone to take accountability for their actions.

In my head, I’m imagining making him sit on a railing and then pushing him off. And based on the Instagram comments under this post, I’m not the only one thinking this.

But I don’t know how to change the laws and the rules so that the outcome and consequence of an action actually scares people into obedience. Because if people cannot think for themselves, then they need to obey the rules and understand the impact if they don’t.