To a first approxmotion: the fact that there’s uptake for it means people judge it to increase their welfare.
Which also applies to things like smoking and starting a war with your neighbours. Are you really arguing that everything people do in noticeable numbers increases social welfare?
You’re making the argument “people doing X is evidence for X increasing social welfare”. I don’t think this argument works, first approximation or not.
To a first approxmotion: the fact that there’s uptake for it means people judge it to increase their welfare.
Since that is obvious, I suppose you mean there are negative externalities that lead to ne.tt negative welfare. In which case: what is YOUR evidence?
Which also applies to things like smoking and starting a war with your neighbours. Are you really arguing that everything people do in noticeable numbers increases social welfare?
“To a first approximation.”
We know the negative externalities of the examples you mention.
You’re making the argument “people doing X is evidence for X increasing social welfare”. I don’t think this argument works, first approximation or not.