[thisisabore]

That's the thing, the statement "there are no good cops" doesn't mean that no individual person that is police can be an ok person, it means that police as an institution will make people bad.

My understanding is that it should be seen more as the starrtng point of a reflexion about the police (what should we therefore do?) rather than a conclusion.

[bambax]

> That's the thing, the statement "there are no good cops" doesn't mean that no individual person that is police can be an ok person, it means that police as an institution will make people bad.

Yes, that's exactly what I meant -- thank you.

[bheadmaster]

I see it as a fundamental problem of humanity - we cannot trust people to do "good" by themselves, because doing "good" often requires giving up personal benefits that would be gained from doing "bad".

The best example I know is videogames. Ever see anyone play GTA without shooting everyone on the street? In GTA, there are no real consequences for your actions, so our true nature comes out. I imagine that, in the real world, when a person has power without consequences, it starts feeling like a game of GTA to them after a while - not exercising the power available just feels "lame".

> what should we therefore do?

Restrict power, increase accountability. The only way to train (human) animals is through punishment when they piss on the rug.

[mafuy]

> Ever see anyone play GTA without shooting everyone on the street?

I disagree. The game is built to favor this behavior. If you wanted to, say, make a living in the game by selling pancakes, the scenario would not be supported to the same degree (in this case: not at all).

Look at flight simulators. Most people try to fly properly. Occasionally, people explore "what if" scenarios. But most certainly most people do not use it to practice or experience another 9/11.

[swayvil]

Voting, lying, moderating.

That's certainly a more immediately relevant answer. Here in social media land.

They are the corrupting powers and avenues of expression for this bad human nature, here.