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Why would I listen to this guy telling me that my behavior is wrong - the fact that he's an HIV/AIDS counselor means little to me. I have calculated the risks to myself, and have decided that in my risk-benefit anaylsis, the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Of course you have. It might even be true if you're selective about partners, middle-class, avoid drugs, etc.

Or you may end up a casualty of sexual hedonism.

I've heard a lot of people say similar things. Mostly before they were sterilized by STDs, or got an incurable strain of STD (both gonorrhea and syphilis now have incurable strains), or got a case of herpes to enjoy the rest of their life, or got AIDS or one of the hepatitis strains.

I wouldn't wish it on you or anyone else. But lots of people have made that bet and lost, as Mr. Celibacy undoubtedly points out in his public talks. And you know all this or you wouldn't be making a 'risk-benefit' analysis for fornication like some insurance actuary.

You could turn out a loser and you just don't care. And you don't care if you drag others down with you inadvertently. You just think your fleeting pleasure is worth the risk to you and to your partners. And, if all else fails and you get the AIDS or hepatitis, you can go on public assistance so that others can pay big money for the harmless fun you had.

I've heard it all before.

And you don't care if you drag others down with you inadvertently. You just think your fleeting pleasure is worth the risk to you and to your partners. And, if all else fails and you get the AIDS or hepatitis, you can go on public assistance so that others can pay big money for the harmless fun you had.

I was actually in agreement with you until here. Where did this come from? Who am I dragging down with me? Why would you assume I would go on public assistance for this or any other reason? What did I say to warrant this?

In other respects, you are mostly correct though. I am selective about partners and I take reaonsable precautions. My partners do the same - they are intelligent women capable of assessing their own risks for themselves. I have never lied to any of these women and I certainly don't believe I'm dragging anyone down. If I should get an STD, I would certainly make any potential partner aware of that.

And you know all this or you wouldn't be making a 'risk-benefit' analysis for fornication like some insurance actuary.

I don't understand why you would criticize me for making a risk-benefit anaylsis here. When you warn about the STDs and incurable strains of diseases here, aren't you really inviting people to make a risk-benefit analysis? Of course, you would want people to come to a different conclusion than I did, but the analysis is the same.

And, if all else fails and you get the AIDS or hepatitis, you can go on public assistance so that others can pay big money for the harmless fun you had.

only if your government is socialist, comrade.

<< which is only to say that we ought not use socialism to justify our moralism. >>