Stanley Gudgeon, aka Professor Bunyip, aka Imre writes
Being of the left, it goes without saying that John Quiggin is an enemy of pleasure — at least those that don’t involve curtailing the not-good-for-you joys of others.
(Link via Ken Parish who points out some inconsistencies in the Professor’s own position.)
On the contrary, what I want to curtail is the bad-for-me pleasures of people (speeding drivers, gun fans etc) who are happy to say I should take some risks to facilitate their fun.
As I mentioned quite a while ago, if we could find a suitable location for gun fans and speedsters to act out their Grand Theft Auto fantasies away from everyone else, I’d support it*. In fact, I’d sign up for pay-TV to watch.
*James Farrell made a similar suggestion in the comments thread
John Quiggin 
That’s right, John – they are free to do their things as long as they don’t impinge on the well-being of others.
In the US, we have many people who think it is grand to ride motorcycles without mufflers – their multitudinous 125 dB statements of independence fit into your categorization as well.
There is a world of difference between being free to do something and ensuring your freedom doesn’t infringe upon the rights of others.
D
So, you’re officially outing Imre S as Prof B, then?
Bunyip ain’t Imre. Prof Quiggan is merely facilitating some fun.
He isn’t? What a pity. So, if you know who he isn’t, do you know who he is? Or is your knowledge purely negative?
(Which begs the question: who else isn’t he?)
Who’s Prof Quiggan?
Tim,
You mean that Bunyip is Pr Quiggin, kind of Jeckyl and Hyde, alter-egoed academic act? Aaaah now that makes sense.
Pr Q(B?)
As for organising a state for watching people play out their wild fantasies of deregulated gun-, drug- and car-play, well such a Nirvana is no fantasy, it exists, and is called Texas.
(Which begs the question: who else isn’t he?)
Well I know he’s not me, and I daresay both of us are grateful for that fact.