The Cuckoo's Egg: Tools Used For Harm

"Guns don't kill people. People kill people." This statement can be generalized and rewritten as, "Tools don't do harm. People do harm." The world is full of tools that were invented to improve it. There are pencils for writing down thoughts and ideas, hammers for building houses and furniture, guns for protection and gathering food, and computers for communication and storing information. Unfortunately, the world is also full of people who would use those tools for harm. Hammers, guns, even pencils can be used to cause unneeded physical harm to others. Pencils can also be used write lies and hurtful words that can harm the reputations of others. And a computer, in capable hands, can access private, protected information that should never be shared without permission. Some might say, "We just need to take away the tools." This is a horrible solution. Without tools there would be no progress. The better solution is to establish rules and regulations around the tools and setup institutions to enforce those rules.