2nd Order Effects

For John, BLUF:  It isn't the crime, it is the coverup is a good paradigm for understand that actions lead to other actions.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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A lot of times we ignore the possible 2nd and 3rd order effects of our proposed good ideas.  Sometimes those effects are bad and sometimes they are good.

The Instapundit brings to our attention the fact that the recent emphasis on campus sexual assault issues has resulted in a reduction in "hookup culture" at Harvard and Stanford.  Unfortunately, Bloomberg has taken down the article at Insty's Link.  The article had even been listed by Memeorandum.

Here is an article from the Newspaper, Central Maine.

College hook-up culture wanes amid assault alarm

While sexual assault is undoubtedly a real problem, heightened attention in the media has created a ‘witch-hunt’ environment, says a Harvard Medical School psychologist.

The Instapundit ends with:

They told me if I voted for Mitt Romney, our colleges would be taken over by prudes who fundamentally disapproved of coeducation. And they were right!

So, creating a witch-hunt over sexual assault on campuses where casual sex is common brings about a reduction in the amount of casual sex. [GOOD]  This, in turn, will perhaps reduce the opportunities for men and women on campus to meet possible future marriage partners.  [NOT GOOD?]  This, in turn, could result in more "dating" at future work places, resulting in a possible growth in sexual harassment charges in the out years.  [BAD]  Or fewer marriages.  [NOT GOOD]  Remember, the magic number is 2.11.  Demography is destiny for your children and grandchildren, and maybe for you in old age.

Regards  —  Cliff