Playing to the lowest common denominator

[Guest Peeves]

Playing to the lowest common denominator seems to be the direction the manufacturers are headed.

Warnings of HOTon coffee cups and so on suggest we're incapable of rational reasoning or of using something safely without a warning. Is it really needed, or simply for legal precaution.

Personally I shake my head each and every time I try to use my fork that won't pierce a french fry or piece of cheese...... too ^%$#@*!*&! dull. Wouldn't want anyone to seriously injure themselves on a pointy fork tine would we! :angry: :angry:

[Bonam]

Playing to the lowest common denominator seems to be the direction the manufacturers are headed.

Warnings of HOTon coffee cups and so on suggest we're incapable of rational reasoning or of using something safely without a warning. Is it really needed, or simply for legal precaution.

Legal precaution. People will sue over anything. The problem is not the manufacturers, a company will do what it has to to cover its legal liabilities. Blame idiotic individuals who filed the lawsuits and the lawyers who agreed to carry them out.

Edited March 17, 2012 by Bonam

[WWWTT]

Legal precaution. People will sue over anything. The problem is not the manufacturers, a company will do what it has to to cover its legal liabilities. Blame idiotic individuals who filed the lawsuits and the lawyers who agreed to carry them out.

If a manufacturer causes damages from the result of their product then who is responsible?

When you create/sell a product you bear responsibilty.

If someone feels that they have suffered damages then they have the right to file a claim.If the manufacturer/seller feels that the damage was the result of the consumer then they can make any counter claim or argument in court.

Maybe you guys don't like how our legal system works and consumer rights?

WWWTT

[Wild Bill]

If a manufacturer causes damages from the result of their product then who is responsible?

When you create/sell a product you bear responsibilty.

If someone feels that they have suffered damages then they have the right to file a claim.If the manufacturer/seller feels that the damage was the result of the consumer then they can make any counter claim or argument in court.

Maybe you guys don't like how our legal system works and consumer rights?

WWWTT

Oh, we understand and support consumer rights! That's not the true issue here.

Until recently the courts would make a distinction over the merits of a suit and refuse to hear anything that was obviously frivolous. Now frivolous suits seem to get heard all the time, especially in the US. This can benefit individuals like the plaintiffs and of course, the lawyers involved but the cumulative effect on society is quite negative. The money gets the plaintiff set for life and his lawyer gets a BMW convertible. Society gets bled for that money and there is less for the common weal, like hospital services.

There is a difference between satisfaction for true injury and simple greed!

Edited March 19, 2012 by Wild Bill

[Michael Hardner]

Oh, we understand and support consumer rights! That's not the true issue here.

Until recently the courts would make a distinction over the merits of a suit and refuse to hear anything that was obviously frivolous. Now frivolous suits seem to get heard all the time, especially in the US. This can benefit individuals like the plaintiffs and of course, the lawyers involved but the cumulative effect on society is quite negative. The money gets the plaintiff set for life and his lawyer gets a BMW convertible. Society gets bled for that money and there is less for the common weal, like hospital services.

There is a difference between satisfaction for true injury and simple greed!

Yes, but this is brought up as a concern because it primarily hurts corporations ... how much of a problem are frivolous suits really ?

[Wild Bill]

Yes, but this is brought up as a concern because it primarily hurts corporations ... how much of a problem are frivolous suits really ?

I dunno. I've never spilled a hot McDonalds coffee in my lap.

I will agree that the problem is far worse in the States than here. I'm just concerned if we will follow in their direction.

Also, I worry about the tendency to rule against a corporation simply for some socialist notion that all corporations are evil anyway. Something is either right or wrong, both for an individual and for a corporation. When we start ruling against corporations simply because we feel they are run by "rich bastards that can afford it", justice becomes no longer an absolute but merely an popular expedient.

I find that idea quite ironic, since I am the one who is usually criticized for considering justice to be an absolute! Once again, the Holy Words must be for everyone or they mean NOTHING, Cloud William!

[dre]

I dunno. I've never spilled a hot McDonalds coffee in my lap.

I will agree that the problem is far worse in the States than here. I'm just concerned if we will follow in their direction.

Also, I worry about the tendency to rule against a corporation simply for some socialist notion that all corporations are evil anyway. Something is either right or wrong, both for an individual and for a corporation. When we start ruling against corporations simply because we feel they are run by "rich bastards that can afford it", justice becomes no longer an absolute but merely an popular expedient.

I find that idea quite ironic, since I am the one who is usually criticized for considering justice to be an absolute! Once again, the Holy Words must be for everyone or they mean NOTHING, Cloud William!

Also, I worry about the tendency to rule against a corporation simply for some socialist notion that all corporations are evil anyway.

I cant imagine why you would worry about that. Corporations are almost above the law these days, and the government and legal system generally just cater to their every whim. They are basically special "super citizens" with more protection and special treatment than anyone else.

This is most pro-corporate environment in human history. But dont worry, its going to get even more pro-corporate in the years to come. I think we will see the end of the "class action" lawsuit within the next decade or two... And I think thas as corporations continue to become larger, more powerfull, and more internationalised they will eventually be pretty much untouchable.

If "Socialists" had any power in our society what-so-ever these corporations wouldnt even exist. But they dont. We have business government after business government after business government.

Edited March 19, 2012 by dre

[Shady]

Corporations are almost above the law these days

More nonsense. That might be your opinion, but it certainly isn't reality.

[GostHacked]

If a manufacturer causes damages from the result of their product then who is responsible?

When you create/sell a product you bear responsibilty.

If someone feels that they have suffered damages then they have the right to file a claim.If the manufacturer/seller feels that the damage was the result of the consumer then they can make any counter claim or argument in court.

Maybe you guys don't like how our legal system works and consumer rights?

WWWTT

Actually it goes to show that common sense is not common. Should I bring my electric radio into the tub with me? Maybe I should read the label ... whew that was a close one!

[GostHacked]

More nonsense. That might be your opinion, but it certainly isn't reality.

It is reality. The corps can hire the lawyers, can hire lobbyists, they can and do what they can to protect themsleves, and themselves only.

You want one company that is above the law and actually helps make the laws.... Monsantos.

[Shady]

It is reality. The corps can hire the lawyers, can hire lobbyists, they can and do what they can to protect themsleves, and themselves only.

It always amuses me when people automatically think of a corporation as some massive entity. In Ontario, you can incorporate your business for a whole $360 dollars. There are many corporations with only a handful of employees. Sometimes just one or two. So you people may want to clarify what you mean when you mention corporations. Some of us don't share your sterotypical views. Because like I said, it's not reality.

[GostHacked]

It always amuses me when people automatically think of a corporation as some massive entity. In Ontario, you can incorporate your business for a whole $360 dollars. There are many corporations with only a handful of employees. Sometimes just one or two. So you people may want to clarify what you mean when you mention corporations. Some of us don't share your sterotypical views. Because like I said, it's not reality.

You know damn well what people mean when they talk about corporations. I even gave you an example of one of those corporations.

You need to learn some reality on Monsanto.

[Moonlight Graham]

Legal precaution. People will sue over anything. The problem is not the manufacturers, a company will do what it has to to cover its legal liabilities. Blame idiotic individuals who filed the lawsuits and the lawyers who agreed to carry them out.

Agreed, legal precaution.

[bleeding heart]

Even if printing "Hot!" on a coffee mug seems silly to most of us--and it does--this is not the serious issue it is often made out to be. There are not a trillion frivolous lawsuits victimizing the poor widdle massive corporations, despite what their paid PR advisors say, here repeated by unwitting shills who think a company's damage-control PR announcements are hard, objective news.

In other news, Mitt Romney thinks that Newt Gingrich is being really mean; Walmart performs a media blitz about its Green Initiatives; and General Electric insists that selling iitself to the lowest bidders hasn't affected the quality of its products, despite what every single GE consumer has pointed out.

All objective facts that should greatly concern us.

Edited March 25, 2012 by bleeding heart