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Comment by zeroonetwothree | Hacker News Reader

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Every conceivable crime has been around since civilization began, including exploitation of children.

If your argument is that it's not a big deal or not a solvable problem, then what's the point of doing anything? Should we ignore every problem because it existed in the past?

I just don't understand what these types of comments are supposed to accomplish. It's anti-progress to the point of absurdity.

While you're not wrong, "it's always been this way" is a poor defense against the desire to make things better.

Children were put to work in the coalmines since 1700's and dying of blacklung. Somehow society has survived.

In medieval times you could rape children, and suffer no consequences. There was no age of concent. Somehow society has survived.

Feudal lord had the right to fuck your wife before you, and take her virginity, somehow society has survived.

Nuclear bombs were dropped on Japan, somehow society has survived.

1/3 of Europe has died of the plague. Somehow society has survived

This isn't to refute your overarching point, but even the oldest of stories, the 'Epic of Gilgamesh', begins with the titular character accused of not "leaving maidens to their warriors", leading the gods (and people) of Ur to try to end his reign. I think the story makes it clear - this behavior was totally unacceptable for a king, even in what the Sumerians considered "those ancient days, when bread had been tasted for the first time".

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